RoutesRunning trails & routesUnited KingdomEnglandNorth West EnglandLancashire
Miller Park Fountain – Brockholes Nature Reserve loop from Preston
RoutesRunning trails & routesUnited KingdomEnglandNorth West EnglandLancashire
Miller Park Fountain – Brockholes Nature Reserve loop from Preston
Hard
86
runners
Miller Park Fountain – Brockholes Nature Reserve loop from Preston
01:54
18.4km
100m
Running
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
1
929 m
Miller Park Fountain
Highlight • Monument
Close to Preston's centre and on the banks of the River Ribble, Avenham and Miller Parks are lovely greenspaces, a breath of fresh air in the city. Their myriad paths, exotic trees and landscaped gardens are a treat to explore.
Avenham Park hosts the Japanese Rock Garden, as well as a popular cafe for an ice cream in summer or a warming brew in winter. Miller Park features a listed water fountain, spiralling gardens and a basalt rock from Ireland's Giant's Causeway.
Avenham Park hosts the Japanese Rock Garden, as well as a popular cafe for an ice cream in summer or a warming brew in winter. Miller Park features a listed water fountain, spiralling gardens and a basalt rock from Ireland's Giant's Causeway.
Tip by
2
1.22 km
Avenham Park
Highlight • Natural
Avenham Park has lots of interesting places to discover – from Swiss Chalets to the Boer War Memorial and a Japanese Garden. Opened in 1867, the park has been a popular spot to relax in Preston for over a century. Today, it is Grade II listed thanks to its historical buildings and features. Managed by Preston City Council, it is a lovely place to stop for a picnic on the banks of the River Ribble.
Tip by
3
3.08 km
Walton Bridge Over the River Ribble
Highlight • Bridge
Walton Bridge across the River Ribble is a grade 2 listed stone arch bridge. It was built between 1779 & 1781. It was widened in the 1939 & 1950 and no carries four lanes of traffic and a pedestrian section.
Tip by
4
3.33 km
Fishwick Local Nature Reserve
Highlight • Trail
A fine example of what can be achieved when derelict land is transformed by landscaping and restoration work, Fishwick Local Nature Reserve is a delightful place for a stroll. The many footpaths allow you to get close and observe the resident wildlife in their woodland, grassland and wetland habitats. The site’s newly dug ponds support a variety of aquatic plants, snails, dragonflies, newts, sticklebacks and other invertebrates.
Tip by
5.23 km
Mellings Wood
Forest
6
7.99 km
Brockholes Nature Reserve
Highlight • Lake
Spread out across 250 acres, Brockholes Nature Reserve is a great place to get up close to nature. Explore the ancient woodland, laze around the lakes, and look out for varied wildlife at the viewing points. Run by Lancashire Wildlife Trust since 2007, the reserve provides an important range of habitats, from wetlands to woodlands. After exploring the nature, you can enjoy a coffee at their floating cafe and visitor center.
The reserve is open from 6am - 9pm during summer and until 7pm during winter. You can also bring your bike! Just bear in mind that you are only allowed to cycle on the Guild Wheel Cycle Route through the reserve. You can find more information, here: brockholes.org
The reserve is open from 6am - 9pm during summer and until 7pm during winter. You can also bring your bike! Just bear in mind that you are only allowed to cycle on the Guild Wheel Cycle Route through the reserve. You can find more information, here: brockholes.org
Tip by
7
8.36 km
Brockholes Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
Brockholes Nature Reserve is probably most notable for its remarkable floating visitor centre, a UK first. It comprises shops, exhibition areas, a restaurant, conference centre and educational facilities for visiting schools. Designed by Adam Khan Architects, it has won numerous awards.
The reserve itself is a fabulous 250-acre (101 ha) wetland site in the flood-plain of the River Ribble. Summer is utterly gorgeous, with butterflies fluttering from flower to flower, birdsong in the trees and colourful dragonflies zipping about.
The reserve itself is a fabulous 250-acre (101 ha) wetland site in the flood-plain of the River Ribble. Summer is utterly gorgeous, with butterflies fluttering from flower to flower, birdsong in the trees and colourful dragonflies zipping about.
Tip by
8
9.08 km
Brockholes Nature Reserve Floating Visitor Village
Highlight • Rest Area
Brockholes is a new kind of nature reserve: an unreserved reserve that brims with wildlife, teaches the next generation about the wonders of nature, and gives back to the local community through Myplace and Forest School projects.
This former sand and gravel quarry has been transformed into a natural haven. Fields brimming with orchids and yellow rattle, woods shining bright with bluebells, and tranquil lakes all transport you to a magical wonderland.
Spring sees the beginning of the Brockholes baby boom as lapwings, oystercatchers, redshank and more breed on Meadow Lake and Number 1 Pit. And don’t miss a walk through the woodland to admire vast carpets of beautiful bluebells.
In May, whimbrel roost in large numbers, while throughout spring and summer swifts, sand martins and hobbies create fantastic aerial displays over the lakes. As the sun shines, the reserve literally buzzes with insects. Clouds of damselflies rest on leaves and paths, and dragonflies dart across the water. Five and six-spot burnet moths weigh down every flower, while small copper, common blue and comma butterflies seem to flit from every corner. Don’t miss the chance to spot the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which can be seen at Brockholes for just three weeks spanning July and August.
Autumn is the time to see ospreys passing over Brockholes on their way back to Africa, while in winter, the reserve is packed with migratory waders. Winter is also a great time to try and see bitterns as they venture out onto the ice.
This former sand and gravel quarry has been transformed into a natural haven. Fields brimming with orchids and yellow rattle, woods shining bright with bluebells, and tranquil lakes all transport you to a magical wonderland.
Spring sees the beginning of the Brockholes baby boom as lapwings, oystercatchers, redshank and more breed on Meadow Lake and Number 1 Pit. And don’t miss a walk through the woodland to admire vast carpets of beautiful bluebells.
In May, whimbrel roost in large numbers, while throughout spring and summer swifts, sand martins and hobbies create fantastic aerial displays over the lakes. As the sun shines, the reserve literally buzzes with insects. Clouds of damselflies rest on leaves and paths, and dragonflies dart across the water. Five and six-spot burnet moths weigh down every flower, while small copper, common blue and comma butterflies seem to flit from every corner. Don’t miss the chance to spot the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which can be seen at Brockholes for just three weeks spanning July and August.
Autumn is the time to see ospreys passing over Brockholes on their way back to Africa, while in winter, the reserve is packed with migratory waders. Winter is also a great time to try and see bitterns as they venture out onto the ice.
Tip by
9
16.8 km
Ribble Way: Avenham Park Section
Highlight • River
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.
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.
Tip by
B
18.4 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.30 km
8.23 km
1.49 km
150 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
11.7 km
3.68 km
1.75 km
910 m
141 m
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Weather
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Tuesday 23 June
26°C
16°C
0 %
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Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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