Landscapes filled with lakes, estuaries buzzing with birdlife and revolutionary cities with sporting histories: the North West has something for everyone. Explore iconic cities that are as famous for their music scenes as their grand industrial buildings and museums. Hear The Beatles resonate from street corners in Liverpool and the Stone Roses and Oasis rock in fashionable Manchester. Switch off the sound in the Lake District as you retrace trails between ethereal peaks, fells and tarn lakes. Or head for the bright lights of the seaside under hedonistic Blackpool's blazing seafront illuminations. Welcome to a sports lovers' paradise with county crickets grounds, iconic horse races and Premiership football clubs to boot.
North West England
Discover 1,000 years of history at Chester Cathedral
Journey through hundreds of years of history and discover hidden spaces as you climb to the top of the cathedral tower.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
View Chester from an open-top vintage bus
Ride the open-top vintage bus on a Chester Tour and see the city’s archaeological and architectural heritage.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Picnic in Blackpool’s largest park
Stanley Park, in the heart of Blackpool, is renowned for being one of the region's finest parks.
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
Marvel at Liverpool’s architectural heritage
Stroll along the waterfront for some of Liverpool's many architectural treasures.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Imperial War Museum North
Get an insight into the wars and conflicts that have shaped both England and the world at the Imperial War Museum North.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Take your pick from Liverpool’s rich cultural gems
Liverpool is a thriving capital of culture with museums and galleries for every taste, many of which are free to explore. Dip in and emerge inspired.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
See how the Chinese party as they usher in the New Year
Manchester’s Chinatown is transformed as lanterns, food stalls and a Dragon Parade take over the streets of the city.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Rainy Day Activities: Explore Earth and space at Liverpool’s World Museum
Need ideas on things to do when it rains? Visit one of North West England’s oldest museums and get a hands-on look at our planet from the oceans to the stars.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Admire Blackpool's light fantastic
Every autumn, Blackpool lights up the Lancashire skies with a sparkling spectacle that has to be seen to be believed.
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
Rainy Day Activities: Venture beneath the city on the Mersey Tunnel Tour
Take a sneak peak at the famous Queensway Mersey Tunnel - a unique indoor attraction close to Liverpool's bustling docks.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Enjoy a budget break at Euro Hostel Liverpool
Spend a weekend in Liverpool and stay at a hostel with a difference – it’s dormitories, but not as you know it.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Experience life in a WWI trench at the Lancashire Museum
Tens of thousands of proud Lancastrians perished in the Great War, whose experiences in the trenches are brought to life at the Museum of Lancashire in Preston.
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Explore Manchester on a budget break this summer
See lots, do lots and spend very little in Manchester with a visit to the city’s many budget-friendly festivals and events this summer.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
