Brockholes – The Floating Village – Preston

Brockholes in Preston, Lancashire is a beautiful, nature-focused stop that is best described as an educational “experience” rather than a high-octane theme park. It’s located just off the A6, making it an easy add-on if you are already in the area. It was originally a huge quarry that has now become a nature reserve. Most people drive past on the M6 without realising Brockholes is just to the side of the motorway screened by trees.

The Experience
This is a purpose-built visitor centre set within a small nature reserve. At Brockholes you can explore the beautiful reserve, see the wildlife that call it ‘home’ or wander around the Visitor Village with restaurant and shops, all of which float on one of the lakes. The main draw is the interactive exhibition which takes you on a journey through various habitats. It’s designed to be hands-on, so expect things to touch, buttons to press, and displays that explain the local wildlife and environment. There is a walk that circles the whole site running through woodland, past lakes and bird hides and running alongside the River Ribble.

Is it for you?

• Young Kids: This is the target audience. Toddlers and primary school-aged children will enjoy the sensory nature of the displays and the small play area. It’s safe and contained enough that parents can have a bit of a breather while the kids explore the indoor bits.
• Teens: Honestly? They’ll likely be bored within fifteen minutes. Unless they are budding ecologists, there isn’t enough “thrill” here to keep a teenager engaged for long.
• Adults: It’s an “interesting” stop rather than an “entertaining” one. Nature lovers will love it. If you have kids You’ll spend most of your time supervising the kids due to the water nearby.
• Time Spent: Most visitors find that 1 to 2 hours is plenty of time to see everything and have a run around outside. If you decide to do the walk and have lunch it could take half a day.

The Setup

• Playground: There is an outdoor play area, but it’s more of a “standard” add-on rather than a destination in itself.
• Supervision: The environment is very child-friendly and “hands-on” by design, but you’ll still need to keep a general eye on them.
• Refreshments: There is a cafe on-site for a quick brew or a snack. If you’re looking for a full meal, there are several family-friendly pubs and restaurants just a short drive away along the A6 towards Garstang or back into Preston.

Discounts & Value
It is worth checking for Blue Light Card discounts or local resident offers, as these are sometimes supported. Because of the size, an annual membership is really only worth it if you live around the corner and plan on using the cafe and small walks as your weekly “get out of the house” routine.

Nearby Add-ons
Since this is a relatively short visit, you might want to pair it with a trip to Guys Thatched Hamlet (just up the road) for some food and a more traditional “tourist” feel, or head into the centre of Preston to visit Avenham and Miller Parks for a much larger outdoor space.