Preston is a city in Lancashire, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Ribble, about 19 miles (31 km) east of Liverpool. The City of Preston district has a population of 114,300, the Preston Built-up Area (which includes surrounding villages) has a population of 324,800 and the Preston Metropolitan Area has a population of 551,500. Preston is a unitary authority area, and forms part of the non-metropolitan county of Lancashire.
The district has a rich industrial heritage, dating back to the Industrial Revolution, and is home to the Grand Theatre, the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, and the Charter Theatre. The City of Preston district is also the location of the University of Central Lancashire, the Royal Preston Hospital, and Lancashire County Cricket Club.
