Family days out near Preston: our favourite spots

For families considering new build homes in Lancashire, the setting matters every bit as much as the property itself. Finding the right house is only part of the story – the life you will build around it, the weekend routines, the places you will explore together – these are what truly make a house a home.

Highcroft, Jones Homes' beautiful collection of 3, 4 and 5-bedroom homes along Garstang Road in Barton, sits in a particularly fortunate spot. Just north of Preston, it offers the tranquillity of the Lancashire countryside alongside easy access to a surprising number of excellent family attractions. For those searching for new build homes near Preston, this development offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful setting with adventure on the doorstep.

Here are some of the best family days out near Preston to add to your list.

Outdoor adventures

For families who love the outdoors, the Lancashire countryside offers plenty of space to explore. Brockholes Nature Reserve, just off junction 31 of the M6, is a nature reserve with a difference. This former quarry has been transformed into a mosaic of wetland, woodland and grassland habitats, and at its heart sits the UK's very first floating visitor village, out on Meadow Lake and home to the Kestrel Kitchen café, a gift shop and an optics shop. Families can explore over 250 acres of trails, spot wildlife from the hides, and let children burn off energy in the large adventure playground. Throughout the school holidays, the reserve hosts craft sessions, nature trails and live entertainment. There is no entry fee, though parking charges apply. Dogs are not permitted anywhere on the reserve, which helps protect the wildlife that lives here. The variety of outdoor experiences available here is exactly what makes the area so appealing to those seeking a new home.

A little further afield, Bowland Wild Boar Park sits within the Forest of Bowland near Chipping. Set in scenic woodland and riverside surroundings, this working farm park offers children the chance to meet and pet a remarkable variety of animals – from wild boar and red deer to alpacas, llamas, meerkats and emus. There is a large adventure play area with slides, swings, zip wires and climbing frames, plus barrel rides and tractor & trailer rides around the 62-acre site. When the weather turns, indoor activities including a mud 'Kinetic Sand' kitchen, balancing scales and basketball hopper keep children entertained. The on-site café serves hot drinks, snacks and homemade lunches with views of feeding wildlife. For those looking at new builds in Lancashire, being close to such diverse attractions is a genuine draw.

Indoor attractions

When the Lancashire weather turns, there are plenty of places to keep everyone entertained under cover. The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre in Barton has become a destination in its own right. Under one roof you will find a luxury bowling alley, a Secret Garden crazy golf course, an Olympic-sized curling rink and three cinema screens with cosy sofa seating. There are also golf simulators and several places to eat, making it the sort of place that works for all ages and all weathers. Having a venue like this just minutes away makes new build homes near Preston particularly attractive for families seeking variety without travelling far.

Also in Barton, Billy Bob's Parlour offers a slice of Americana without leaving Lancashire. This American-style diner and ice cream parlour is paired with an impressive play set-up. Outdoors, there are rope swings, racing slides and zip lines for under-9s. When the rain arrives, the indoor adventure barn – complete with more rope swings, slides and a leap of faith foam pit – keeps children of all ages entertained. For families settling into a new home, having reliable places to entertain children throughout the year makes all the difference.

Family favourites

Some places are simply Lancashire classics, and no list is complete without Blackpool, around half an hour away down the M55. There is the beach and the Tower, the illuminations in autumn, and a tram ride along the prom. Pleasure Beach Resort, still known as Blackpool Pleasure Beach to most, sits at the southern end of the seafront, with gentler rides for younger children and the big coasters for anyone brave enough. For families weighing up new build homes near Preston, having the coast this close is a genuine bonus.

Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, just a short drive along the A59 from junction 31 of the M6, is a proper working farm with plenty for children to enjoy – from feeding the llamas, goats and alpacas to watching the pig feeding sessions and rabbit handling. The indoor adventure playground is a particular highlight: a large wooden adventure playground set on sand, with plenty of climbing, sliding and exploring. There is also an ice cream parlour and street food van in the courtyard, making it easy to spend a full day here. With so much to explore within a short distance, the search for new homes for sale in Lancashire often leads families here for good reason.

For a change of pace, Samlesbury Hall offers something completely different. This historic house dates back to 1325 and is completely free to visit. The hall itself is beautiful to explore, with rooms including the Great Hall and the chapel, while the grounds feature a wonderful playground with a replica of the hall attached by rope bridge to a large wooden ship. There is also a 9-hole crazy golf course and plenty of space for children to run. The Garden Room Eatery serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, and donations help support the upkeep of this historic building. From countryside adventures to historic houses, the variety on offer makes this an area that appeals to buyers of every kind.

A place to call home

For families searching for new build homes near Preston, Highcroft offers a wonderful base from which to explore all of this. The development itself sits within easy reach of the M6, providing excellent access to Preston, Lancaster and beyond. Well-regarded local schools, including St. Lawrence Primary School and Broughton High School, are close by. And with the amenities of both Preston and Garstang within easy reach, every convenience is close at hand without compromising on the peaceful, semi-rural setting.

If you are considering new builds in Lancashire, Highcroft offers more than just a home – it offers a lifestyle. A place where weekends are spent exploring, where children have room to grow, and where the countryside is quite literally on your doorstep. To discover more about the new homes for sale in Lancashire here at our Highcroft development, make an enquiry with our expert Sales Advisors today or download a brochure.

You might also be interested in our closer look at Garstang, the market town just north of Highcroft, and the new homes at our Edendale Park development.