Winckley Square

Winckley Square is in the heart of the city of Preston, a short stroll from Fishergate.

It is unique and one of the finest examples of a Georgian square in the North West with a compelling history.

The square was first established in 1801, around Town End Field. In fact it was owned by Thomas Winckley, as an exclusive residential area for the town’s gentry.

Nowadays, it is  occupied mostly by insurance, legal and other business offices. However, some residential developments have recently been made.

The square’s gardens, now an open public park, originally consisted of private plots. Previously each were owned by a resident.

A statue of Sir Robert Peel stands on one side of the central gardens opposite Cross Street. In fact, this was erected by public subscription in 1852.

An Italian-style villa was built in 1850 on the south corner of Cross Street, which was later used as a County Court office from the 1940s. It was demolished in 1969.

On the opposite corner was the Winckley Club, a gentlemen’s club, and next to it, in Cross Street, the Literary and Philosophical Institution. The suffragette Edith Rigby lived at number 28.

Winckley Street lies between Winckley Square and Preston’s main street of Fishergate.

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