Long Preston brings together the Ribble river landscape and a distinct local history. Long Preston Deeps is the local name for the floodplain in the upper reaches of the River Ribble; it covers approximately 766 hectares. The Long Preston Floodplain Project area is of national importance for breeding wading birds. Here, the landscape and a specific focus on birdlife go hand in hand.
Long Preston Deeps and the Ribble Way
The main access route to the Long Preston Floodplain, also known as Long Preston Deeps, is via the Ribble Way. The Ribble Way can be reached from Long Preston. Use public rights of way to access the area. This connects the river landscape with a named route without reducing the floodplain to a single viewpoint.
A bird hide is accessible along the Ribble Way north of Cow Bridge. Parking near the area is limited, so take this into account when planning your visit. The bird hide and the floodplain’s importance for breeding wading birds offer nature enthusiasts two different points of reference: a specifically named place for birdwatching and the significance of the area for a group of birds.
Landscape north and south of the village
Long Preston lies at the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. North of the village, the landscape rises towards the fells, moors and picturesque valleys of the Yorkshire Dales. South of Long Preston, by contrast, lie the wetlands of the Ribble Valley. These directions describe different landscapes: to the north, the land rises towards fells, moors and valleys, while the Ribble Valley wetlands lie to the south.
Another specific route description covers the return journey from Settle to Long Preston. It follows the Old Road and offers fine views across Ribblesdale to Pendle Hill. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out. The link between Settle and Long Preston makes this route a distinct way to experience the landscape along the way.
Cattle droving, railways and church windows
The village’s history offers more than one point of interest. In the early 18th century, Long Preston was an important centre for cattle droving. This economic role belongs to a different period from the village’s railway history and is easy to distinguish from it.
The railway section through Long Preston opened for goods traffic on 30 July 1849 and for passenger traffic on 1 August 1849. The two dates mark separate openings for different types of traffic. Long Preston railway station was built by the North Western Railway Company (NWR). Together, these details provide a precise insight into the early history of the railway, without conflating the opening of the section with the construction of the station.
Another cultural point of interest is the Church of St Mary the Virgin. It has several stained-glass windows by Capronnier of Brussels. These windows add a specific artistic feature to the economic and railway history. This lets you discover Long Preston through both its landscape and birdlife and its local history, rather than limiting your visit to a single theme.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Riccall, Bedale, Brompton, Whenby, Kettlewell, East Harlsey, Coxwold, Bilbrough.
For the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.
