Winckley Square

Winckley Square is a Georgian garden square in the centre of Preston, Lancashire, England, at the west end of the Avenham district. It is one of the best-known green spaces in the city centre and a natural stop for anyone exploring Preston on foot.

What is Winckley Square?

It is a residential square with a public garden at its heart, surrounded by handsome Georgian-era townhouses. Wikidata describes it simply as a garden square in Preston. Today many of the surrounding buildings are used as offices, but the elegant frontages still give the place the feel of a refined, historic quarter, and the gardens remain a quiet pause from the busy streets around them.

How did the square come about?

Local heritage sources describe the square as laid out around the turn of the 19th century as a fashionable address for Preston's gentry and professionals. The exact dates are given differently by different sources. One account refers to land bought in 1796 and a first house built in 1799, while Wikipedia places the establishment of the square in 1801. The name comes from the Winckley family, who held the land on which it was created.

What makes the layout unusual?

Many Georgian squares are flat and strictly rectangular. Winckley Square follows the natural fall of the ground instead, and local sources mention a small valley carved by a stream known as the Syke. The gardens were originally tied to the houses around them as private grounds, and were opened to the public later, which is why they now feel like a shared town park rather than a closed courtyard.

What can you see there?

• The gardens: lawns, mature trees and paths, good for a short walk or a bench break in the middle of the city.
• A statue of Sir Robert Peel: erected in 1852, it stands in the gardens and recalls the 19th-century prime minister.
• Georgian townhouses: the terraces around the square show the architecture that gave the place its character.
• Historic walking routes: the gardens have paths that can be followed as a short promenade.

Has the square been restored?

Yes. After a period of decline, the gardens were the subject of a Heritage Lottery Fund-supported restoration led by a local community organisation with several partners. The work aimed to bring back the Georgian character of the gardens, repair the statue and restore historic features, and it returned the square to use as a central public space for residents and visitors.

How do you get there?

The square lies close to the centre of Preston, so it can easily be reached on foot from the main shopping streets and from other central sights. Its position at the west end of Avenham also makes it a convenient starting point for a walk toward the parkland of that area. The GPS coordinates are roughly 53.756, -2.702.

When is the best time to visit?

The gardens are most pleasant in dry weather, when you can sit outside and look at the surrounding architecture. Spring and summer bring fuller greenery, while autumn colours suit photography. Because it is a public garden in the middle of a working city centre, a visit fits easily into a stroll between other places.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Winckley Square? In central Preston, Lancashire, at the west end of Avenham.

Is it free to visit? It is a public garden in the city centre, so you can walk in and enjoy it without a ticket.

Who was the square named after? After the Winckley family, who owned the land on which it was built.

Is there anything historic to see? Yes: Georgian townhouses, the 1852 statue of Robert Peel and the restored historic gardens.

How long should I plan? A short visit of 20 to 30 minutes is enough to walk around the gardens and look at the buildings, longer if you want to rest or take photographs.