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
Release your inner Wordsworth with Words by the Water Festival
Don’t miss this exciting literature event, a festival of words and ideas, set by the lake surrounded by the Lake District fells.
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Go to Liverpool Sound City, an innovative music, film and art festival
Get a ticket for one of the UK’s largest international music, digital and film festivals.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
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
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
November events: Eyes on the sky for Light Up Lancaster
See the skies over Lancaster light up this autumn at the North’s biggest firework display.
Location: Lancaster, Lancashire
Head down to The Quays for a day out on the docks
There's always something happening at The Quays, Greater Manchester's most exciting waterfront destination.
Location: Salford and Trafford, Greater Manchester
Celebrate Roald Dahl’s life and adventures at Tatton Park
Let imaginations run wild at Tatton Park this autumn on a magical journey exploring the lifeworks of one of Britain's most-loved children’s authors.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
July events: Beat-Herder Festival
See big-name dance acts and eclectic live bands at a summer festival that brings the funk to the farmland for three days in July.
Location: Sawley, Lancashire
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