Winckley Square guided walks schedule for April and May

Black and white historical photo of gas works

Winckley Square guided walks are continuing through April and May.

The walks cover a range topics from Preston’s past including women’s rights, temperance, and gas works.

Organised by Friends of Winckley Square, the walks start in the centre of the Gardens and cost £5 on the day, unless stated otherwise.

Places are limited so booking is recommended. You can follow the links below to each walk on the TryBooking website, to find out more and book.

Any issues booking, contact Pat Harrison at patricia@winckley.org.uk.

Event: Lancaster Canal and Tram Road
Date: Sunday 7 April, 2pm – 4.15pm

This 2.5 mile walk takes you as far south as Carr Wood cottage along the Old Tram Road route. The old East Lancashire Railway Bridge is used as the route to get back to Avenham Park.

Event: Edith Rigby Tour
Date: Wednesday 10 April, 10.15am – 12pm

Take a step back in time in the footsteps of Preston’s most famous suffragette. Visit key locations in her life. Two hour tour with an opportunity to stop for refreshments.

Event: Preston the Jerusalem of Temperance
Date: Sunday 14 April, 2pm – 3.30pm

2022 was the 190th anniversary of the ‘seven men of Preston’ signing the first total abstinence pledge, initiating the influential Temperance movement. Preston was recognised in the 19th and 20th centuries as ‘the birthplace of teetotalism’.

Event: Preston It’s a Gas!
Date: Wednesday 1 May, 2pm – 3.15pm

Visit key locations around the city centre including the site of the first gas works, the obelisk where the opening ceremony took place in February 1816, the coal yards and some of the buildings first lit by gas.

Event: Extraordinary Women of Winckley Square
Date: Sunday 8 May, 2pm – 3.15pm

Learn about the lives of some of the Extraordinary Women associated with Winckley Square who broke boundaries when women were not allowed to vote, had to submit to laws when they had no voice in their formation, when married women had no property rights.

Event: Fishergate to the Ribble: West Preston shaped by power
Date: Sunday 12 May, 2pm – 3.30pm

The walk explores Churchgate and Fishergate, where Preston’s rich and powerful families lived until factory building in the late 18th century. Subsequently the west end of the town was shaped by local oligarchs. Did the powerful create a world just for themselves or was philanthropy a key motive?

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.