Fulwood brings together the historic Fulwood Barracks site and the woodland areas of Masons Wood and Asda Wood, which have distinctly different characteristics. The historic barracks complex is also home to the Lancashire Infantry Museum. Architectural history, a collection spanning a broad period and nature themes sit side by side here. The details can help you weigh up your interests for your stay.

Barracks and Museum

The former infantry barracks at Fulwood Barracks were built by Major T Foster RE for the Ordnance Board; construction took place from 1842 to 1848. The original layout, with two parade grounds inside a fortified perimeter wall, is largely intact. The construction dates and layout offer two different historical reference points: one places the building work in context, while the other draws attention to the spatial design of the site.

The Lancashire Infantry Museum is housed in the historic Fulwood Barracks. Its collection includes objects from early conflicts such as the American War of Independence, as well as from modern conflicts, including the one in Afghanistan. The collection therefore spans beyond the period when the barracks were built and offers a different chronological focus from the architecture. If you plan to visit the museum, check the latest visitor information in advance.

Woodlands and Their Distinctive Features

Masons Wood in Fulwood is an ancient, semi-natural woodland and is among the Woodland Trust’s top ten bluebell woods. Bluebell flowering is seasonal and varies. If this seasonal feature influences your travel plans, take the flowering period into account rather than assuming the flowers will look the same throughout the season.

Asda Wood lies immediately south of the Asda supermarket in Fulwood East Preston, on a steep sandbank above Savick Brook. The best access is via the supermarket car park. As access arrangements may change, check the information before your visit. Unlike Masons Wood, the defining features here are the location and steep terrain; Masons Wood is characterised by its woodland type and seasonal flowering.

In the Preston area, Fernyhalgh Wood is part of a group of woodlands within a larger area that is open to the public and owned and managed by the local council. Close to Fernyhalgh Wood is a well-used network of surfaced paths connecting different areas, including other Woodland Trust woods. Path conditions may vary; bear this in mind if you include walks in the area in your plans.

These features can help you choose a focus for nature outings: seasonal flowering, steep terrain with a named access point, or a nearby network of paths. This makes it easier to distinguish the woodland areas by their specific features rather than treating them as alike.

Discover more destinations: Barton, Skelmersdale, Charnock Richard, Fleetwood, Burscough, Colne, Euxton, Thornton-Cleveleys.

For the wider travel overview: Lancashire.