The best walks and hikes around Grimsargh

Worth a look if riding the Guild Wheel

Lots of hideaways to stop and admire the wildlife

Brockholes was previously a major quarry extraction site. The land was bought by the Trust in January 2007, and the reserve opened to the public at Easter 2011. It has been regenerated as a mosaic of key habitats such as pools, reedbeds and woodland. The reserve is aimed less at dedicated bird-watchers and nature lovers than the general public of the big cities. The riverbank is covered in steaming ferns and rampant Himalayan balsam. Brockholes offers a wide range of events throughout the year and over 250 acres of trails and hides. It has already seen record numbers of breeding wading birds along with visitors such as osprey, otter and bittern. Now it's a beautiful nature reserve with amazing wildlife.

Neolithic to Saxon finds from along the River Ribble during the creation of the Preston Docks and others revealed man has been in the area for a long time. The River Ribble looked completely different then and the coastline is likely to have been much further inland than it is at present where land has been reclaimed and the marsh extended out into the River Ribble due to sedimentation. The Ribble would appear to have been known in Roman times as the Belisama,possibly giving its name to Samlesbury. Ptolemy's "Belisama aest." seems to represent the estuary of the Ribble. Bremetennacum was a Roman fort that guarded a crossing-point of the river at Ribchester. Remains of another Roman site were discovered at Walton-le-Dale in the mid-19th century.

The Continental is a Preston pub and restaurant serving British cuisine and real ales, as well as hosting live music gigs, films, cultural events and the now-legendary Continental Beer Festival. Situated in an idyllic riverside location, just out of the town centre, there can be no more perfect place, winter or summer than to relax in The Continental garden by the river or catch a gig in the event space – The Boatyard.

The Grapes is a beautiful, traditional, detached country pub, located in the heart of the affluent village of Goosnargh, next to the local church and the primary school. Goosnargh is a growing village, already blessed with an abundance of detached and semi-detached houses, there are two other housing developments under way, within a 5 min walk of the pub. Home of Beacon Fell Country Park, Goosnargh attracts visitors for its beautiful walks and trails with the outstanding views across the local countryside. Although Goosnargh is a rural village, it has great links to Preston city centre and main motorway routes.

Have a good look around on both sides of the path!

The Ribble Way is a 116km long distance trail following the course of the river Ribble. It starts at Gayle Moor near Ribblehead and ends at Longton near Preston. The whole trail would be a tough challenge to run although it's waymarked, well surfaced and fairly flat. It does make really good sections and worth looking out for wherever you are based. Here in south Preston the trail runs along the river through the south of the city. The section through Avingham Park is very pretty with the bridges and viaducts over the river and the ornamental park to the north. You can make a nice loop using it and the parks on both sides of the river if you fancy it.