Hertz car hire in Preston

Car hire in Preston offers a gateway to the best that north-west England has to offer. Situated in the picturesque county of Lancashire, not far from the Yorkshire Dales and close to some of the UK’s most iconic locations, Preston is a small city with a big heart.

Known as the county’s administrative hub, there’s both business and leisure to be found here. Explore its diverse history, indulge in the delightful shopping quarters and relax in its green parks.

Further afield, you can discover areas of natural beauty, enjoy a trip to the seaside or visit famous nearby cities and medieval towns, when you hire a car in Preston.

Browse our extensive selection, from family vehicles with plenty of room to SUVs ideal for exploring England’s luscious countryside, book direct online now, and we’ll aim to get you on the road as smoothly as possible when you arrive.

Driving in and around Preston

Preston boasts excellent road links, including the A59 that runs east to west and the A6 heading north to join the M55.

In terms of parking, there are a variety of spaces around the city, as well as two Park and Ride locations where you can leave your hire car for free and then pay for a bus into Preston. Closer to the centre, there are various car parks and on-street parking spaces, with hourly rates as cheap as £1.

Preston has easy access to a number of motorways, perfect for exploring north-west England’s best-loved attractions – and beyond. From its centre, the dynamic city of Manchester is around an hour’s drive south-east down the M61, while the equally famous city of Liverpool can be reached in a similar amount of time via the M6 and M58.

Meanwhile, to the north, the medieval wonders of Lancaster are around 45 minutes away up the M6.

For seaside delights, head west to Blackpool on the M55 or A583 in just over half an hour. Or discover natural beauty within the Yorkshire Dales by heading north-east towards Malham. Even closer still, neighbouring Blackburn is only around half an hour’s drive east from Preston via the A677.

Driving in England is similar to Ireland –you drive on the left side of the road, seatbelts are mandatory and using mobile phones while driving is not permitted. However, bear in mind that speed limits are displayed in miles per hour (mph) and not kilometres per hour (km/h).

Speed limits on motorways such as the M6, and many dual carriageways, are usually a maximum of 70mph (112km/h), dropping to 60mph (96km/h) on many single carriageways in rural areas. When driving in and around towns and cities, limits are usually 30mph (48km/h), but can be as low as 20mph (32km/h) around schools and in residential zones. Always check signs for the road that you are on.

A quick guide to Preston

Located in the heart of Lancashire, Preston is a dynamic city with a rich heritage.

Here you can be transported back to 19^th-century northern England with steam railways and Victorian parks.

Or, with close links to major motorways and A-roads, exploring the greater Lancashire region and beyond is easy with your hire car from Preston, whether you’re after seaside sun, wonderful waterfalls or a spot of retail therapy.

Park life

Preston boasts a number of superb urban parks and relaxing nature reserves in and around the city.

Moor Park is a short drive from the centre and boasts numerous facilities and activities to make the trip worth it. Here you can try a variety of sports, from skateboarding to tennis, as well as take part in various events across the year.

Meanwhile, Avenham Park is closer to the centre, on the banks of the tranquil River Ribble. It was designed and created back in the 1860s, with its beautiful Japanese Rock Garden the main highlight.

To the east of Preston, you’ll find Brockholes, a natural reserve with its own floating village and a square kilometre of woodland to explore (about half the size of Monaco, for the sake of comparison). There’s plenty to do here, from guided walks to craft sessions, offering fun for the whole family.

To Preston’s south sits the Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary. Here you can watch these elegant creatures take to the skies or even have a go at a bit of falconry yourself.

Seaside splendour

The west coast ofLancashire is only around half an hour’s drive from Preston, allowing the perfect opportunity to soak up the sea breeze.

Blackpool is the main location for seaside fun, with sandy beaches, adventurous amusement parks and a bustling pier. It may not be as grand as the Eiffel Tower, but Blackpool Tower certainly has its own charms. Head to the top for panoramic views of the promenade, sea and town below thanks to its glass flooring. Or explore the other attractions closer to the ground, such as The Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Circus.

For even more fun, visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach. This adventurous amusement park by the sea is perfect for children with its very own Nickelodeon Land, and for thrill seekers as it’s home to 10 exhilarating rollercoasters.

Then enjoy tropical climates at the town’s Sandcastle Waterpark. There are over 18 attractions to enjoy here, from the relaxing spa for adults to Fort Riptide, complete with water guns to soak the family.

Natural beauty

Preston is situated close to the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and travelling here offers the perfect opportunity to get back to nature.

Explore the many villages inside the moorland, including Hornby to the north with its striking castle and picturesque Dunsop Bridge, the ideal starting point for a walk in the surrounding woodlands.

There’s plenty to do for the whole family, from feeding wildlife at one of the various open farms, to a scenic picnic along one of the many nature trails. The Forest of Bowland is also exceptional at night, when the sky erupts with stars, transporting you to a far away galaxy.

Nature, heritage and an array of things to do are at your fingertips when you hire a car in Preston. Book direct now.