Preston Park

Preston Park is a municipal park in Brighton and Hove, on the northern edge of Brighton's city centre. It is described as the first and largest public park in the city, and it remains one of the most popular places for locals and visitors to spend a day outdoors.

What is Preston Park?

The park covers roughly 63 acres of open ground. Brighton Corporation acquired the land in the early 1880s, and the park opened to the public in that decade. Its layout is a classic Victorian one: wide lawns, formal flower borders, tree-lined paths and areas set aside for sport and play.

What can you see and do there?

The park offers a mix of gardens and sports facilities. Highlights include:

• Formal borders and rose gardens. The Rose Garden dates from 1929 and is a favourite spot for a slow walk in summer.
• Bowling greens and tennis courts. Both are in regular use, so the park feels lively rather than purely ornamental.
• A small pond. It adds a quiet, green corner to the open lawns.
• Wide lawns. They suit picnics, informal games, festivals and community events.

Why is the velodrome famous?

Preston Park is home to the Preston Park Velodrome, a cycling track built by hand by the British Army. The local cycling club calls it the oldest working velodrome in the world. The track has been repaired and upgraded, and racing returned there in 2016. Even if you are not a cyclist, watching an evening race meeting here is an unusual way to see Brighton.

How do you get to Preston Park?

The park sits beside the London Road area and shares its name with Preston Park railway station, which makes it easy to reach by train from central Brighton and from other towns along the line. Bus routes along London Road also stop close to the park. Walking from the city centre takes around twenty to thirty minutes, mostly uphill along the main road. Cyclists can ride in on the routes leading north from the seafront.

Frequently asked questions

Is Preston Park free to enter?

Yes. It is a public municipal park and you can walk in at any time of day without a ticket. Some facilities, such as bowling greens and tennis courts, are run for their own users.

Is Preston Park the same as Preston in Lancashire?

No. Several places in England and the United States share the name. This park is in Brighton and Hove, on the south coast of England.

Is it a good place for children?

The wide lawns and open space make it a comfortable choice for families, and the gardens give children plenty to look at on a walk.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer show the borders and the Rose Garden at their best, and long days allow for picnics and an evening at the velodrome.

Can I combine it with other Brighton sights?

Yes. The park is a short journey from the seafront, the Lanes and the Royal Pavilion, so it fits easily into a day in the city.

Preston Park is a good choice for anyone who wants green space and some history without leaving Brighton.