Retirement Properties Spotlight in Longridge

Longridge is a small town about ten miles northwest of Preston and for much of the middle ages remained a farming community before rapidly expanding with the increase in demand first for local stone and then the textile industry. The town has a good range of shops, pubs and restaurants. Preston received its charter in the 12th century and is situated at the highest navigable point of the River Ribble and became an important cotton manufacturing town. In the 17th century Cromwell defeated the Duke of Hamilton here. Later in the 18th century it became a centre of Jacobian sympathy and both Pretenders were proclaimed King in the marketplace. The Harris library and museum contains important prehistoric timbers from Bleasdale.