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
Picture Mr Darcy coming out of the lake
The magnificent house, gardens and deer park at Lyme Park was the filming location for the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice.
Location: Lyme Handley, Cheshire
November events: Join the highbrow chit-chat at Chester Literature Festival
There’s no shortage of wordy stimulation and novel debate for book worms at the Chester Literature Festival.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Cast a spell at Arley Hall and Gardens
Explore the magical home of multi-part movie, 'Evermoor', a Disney production filmed at Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire's Northwich.
Location: Northwich, Cheshire
December events: Start off your Christmas season in Chester
Visit Santa, sip on mulled wine and spend the weekend celebrating all things festive in the beautiful city of Chester.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Celebrate Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire
From fabulous stained-glass windows in his father’s church to sumptuous Mad Hatter’s tea parties, delight in Cheshire’s Carroll connections.
Location: Daresbury, Cheshire
Discover the fictional home of Home Fires
Follow in the footsteps of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute with a visit to the picturesque Cheshire village of Bunbury.
Location: Bunbury, Cheshire
Find romantic things to do at Chester’s hot new Storyhouse
Fall in love at this new cultural centre combining theatre, cinema, bars and more.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
July events: Bluedot festival
Go stargazing while being star struck by an out-of-this-world line-up of musical talent at bluedot festival.
Location: Blackden, Cheshire