Avenham Walks

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No. 4 Winckley Square (Stop 9), the second house to be built in the Square, became the home of Nicholas Grimshaw.

Built around 1804, the house is a very fine example of a Georgian townhouse. Owning a very lucrative legal practice, he held many of the public roles in Preston. He held Mayoral office 7 times, including twice as Guild mayor in 1802 and 1822. The second Guild Mayoralty was marked by tragedy when both of his sons were drowned in a boating accident on the River Ribble.

The trail ends at Winckley Street.

This was the birthplace of Preston's most famous poet, Francis Thompson, born 19th December 1859. After being educated at Ushaw Catholic College and failing to qualify as a doctor he left for London in 1885. A poet of the Aesthetic Movement of the 1890's, his most famous poems included "The Hound of Heaven", "The Kingdom of God" and the cricketer's poem, "At Lord's". He published 3 volumes of verse between 1893-1897, conveying intense religious experiences. He died in London in 1907.

This is the end of the Avenham Walk. We hope you enjoyed yourself and learned something new about the history of Avenham.

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