A Romantic Weekend in Preston, Lancashire
A romantic weekend in Preston may not be an obvious choice for a UK city break, but with the River Ribble at its centre, an excellent array of independent eateries, and pretty Georgian streets; I am here to tell you why you should be considering Preston for your next staycation.
A Romantic Stay at No. 10 Preston
I think we are all guilty as parents of letting milestones come and go. Wrapped up in the day-to-day monotony of school runs, after-school clubs, and work, it can often feel impossible to carve out time to spend together. This month marks 9 years since my husband and I walked down the aisle, and although it’s not quite a decade, we really wanted to celebrate anyway, especially after such a difficult 12 months.
We were really touched when Walker & Williams reached out and offered to host us at their No. 10 Preston Hotel with the ‘Ultimate Romance package’. This Northwest-based, family-run property group also owns The Hotel Chester, where we stayed a few months ago, and you can read the review [here]. Along with their sister hotel in Preston, Winckley Square Hotel, and several luxury apartments and hotels in the construction phase. Walker & Williams pride themselves on bringing heritage buildings back to life with their high-end luxury, attention to detail.
Preston; An Ideal City Break Location
No. 10 Preston sits just off the main shopping street in Preston; hidden away on Theatre Street, just a 5-minute walk from the train station. Preston is on the West Coast mainline with quick and easy connections to Manchester, Lancaster, The Lakes, Blackpool, further north to Scotland, and down to London Euston. There is also ample, secure overnight parking within walking distance, allowing those that visit with a car the chance to explore further afield into Lancashire and the Lake District. With its stunning coastline, traditional seaside resorts, and inland rolling hills and lakes, the county of Lancashire and neighbouring Cumbria offers something to suit all travellers.
With the River Ribble at its centre, miles of walks at Avenham and Miller Parks alongside impressive Georgian residential streets and quaint squares; Preston has all the makings of the perfect romantic city break. No. 10 Preston was an ideal base for us as we headed the one hour north to enjoy a night away without the kids; staying in the super stylish Casablanca Apartment. As with all Walker & Williams Hotels, the apartments at No. 10 Preston are individually styled with incredible attention to detail, making each stay individual and unique from the last.
The Ultimate Romance Package at No.10 Preston
The Casablanca apartment was quite simply, a monochrome delight; with a traditional roll-top bath in the bedroom, a fully equipped kitchenette, super king-sized bed, and sumptuous velvet sofas. On arrival at No. 10 Preston, we were greeted warmly by the hotel manager, Martin, and personally shown to our bedroom. On opening the door, we were immediately greeted by rose petals on the floor, a romantic soundtrack, Moët & Chandon champagne on ice, 300 red roses, 50 candles, and a very tempting bubble bath! All the makings of the perfect romantic weekend in Preston to celebrate our anniversary in style.
The whole display took my breath away; for £149 the Ultimate Romance package can be arranged for your stay in any Walker & Williams hotel. It is the ideal added extra to celebrate a special occasion, milestone birthday, or perhaps even an engagement. The staff had organised everything in advance, nothing was too much trouble, a complete surprise from start to finish. For those sustainably minded and safety conscious, the roses are synthetic (not that you would know!) and the candles are battery-operated. After enjoying an ice-cold glass of champagne to toast our 9 years of marriage, we headed out to the nearby Fino Restaurant on Guildhall Street for tapas, a 5-minute walk away, again organised by the hotel.
A Romantic Evening at Fino Tapas
Fino Tapas prides itself on creating adventurous small plates using local produce, making it the ideal dining option when visiting Preston. Tucked away, the grand entrance opens into a light and bright space bedecked with botanicals and hints of the Med. With a quirky outdoor seating area, sociable booth seating, and more intimate areas, Finos is suitable for all. After a warm greeting by the staff, the menu was explained and we chose three dishes each, as suggested. As with all traditional tapas restaurants, the food is delivered to your table as it is cooked so there is always a steady stream of scrumptious plates arriving.
I was drawn to the Goats Cheese Patas Bravas, and they didn’t disappoint, the creamy and sweet cheesy sauce enveloped the fluffy potato pieces making it a hearty and comforting dish. Alongside I ordered the Chorizo Croquettes on recommendation from the serving staff and a fresh, zingy Tomato Bruschetta. My husband ordered his favourite, the Whitebait with Serrano Ham Croquettes and Pork Belly. All the dishes were generous in size which is always refreshing for a tapas restaurant; the flavours certainly whisked us away to sunnier climes and with an accompanying glass of Campocruz beer, we could have been sat on the beach in Southern Spain!
After eating, it was only a quick walk to the neighbouring Winckley Street with its delightful cobbles to carry on the evening with a glass or two of wine. Overlooking Winckley Gardens, this beautiful Georgian area of Preston is a lovely spot for a romantic walk as the park is lit up in the evening. It would be easy to carry on late into the evening with cocktails at Forum Bar or Lonely People before strolling the short distance back to No. 10 Preston.
The Morning After the Night Before
The next morning, the makings of a continental breakfast are provided by the hotel in your very own kitchenette. Croissants, cereals, fruit, and hot/cold drinks are a few short paces from your bed. As an alternative, you could easily head up to Fishergate and visit Moka for a hearty breakfast or slightly further down to Bruccianis, with this traditional Italian cafe a long-serving resident of Preston. Don’t forget to try their famous coke floats!
All in all, Preston has everything you need for a relaxing night away; it may not be your first thought for a romantic break; however, I guarantee you’ll leave it feeling suitably impressed with what you have found.
No. 10 and Winckley Square in Preston along with the Hotel Chester, offer the Ultimate Romance package with any of their stays. Contact the relevant hotel directly to arrange this ahead of your romantic break away. If, childcare is difficult to arrange or you just fancy a weekend away as a family, then take a read of my latest blog; [24hrs in Preston with Kids] featuring a handy list of my recommendations for spending a day in this exciting city.
THE DETAILS
No. 10 Preston Hotel
I was kindly gifted a 1-night stay at No. 10 Preston with the 'Ultimate Romance' package included in return for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
Visit Preston Tourist Board
Visit Lancashire Tourist Board
Fino Tapas, Preston
I was kindly gifted a complimentary meal in return for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
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