Looking for the best places to visit in North West England? You’ve come to the right place!
Call me biased, but I think this region is pretty special. Whatever your interests, you will find it in North West England!
It has the perfect balance between cosmopolitan cities, towering peaks, relaxing countryside and a breathtaking coastline.
Oh, and that’s before you take into account the historical and cultural experiences!
Whether you’re planning a staycation, visiting the region for the first time or are looking for day trips, this blog post will help you discover the best places to visit in North West England.
So what are we waiting for? Time to start exploring!
Best Places To Visit In North West
1 – Ambleside
Ambleside is a small, but a very popular town in Cumbria, full of shops, restaurants and natural beauty.
Located on the northern tip of Lake Windermere, it’s a good town to use as a base for exploring the rest of the Lake District.
Here you will find the remains of Ambleside Roman Fort, the picturesque 17th Century Bridge House, and the 70ft waterfall, Stock Ghyll Force.
Where? Ambleside is around 1 hour 50 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 2 hours 15 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
2 – Arnside
Arnside is a village in Cumbria, just outside the Lake District National Park.
It has stunning natural beauty and you can climb to the top of Arnside Knott for panoramic views.
Alternatively, admire the coastline at Humphrey Head, Blackstone Point or Arnside Pier. Other attractions in this area include Levens Hall, an Elizabethan manor with a topiary garden and the medieval Arnside Tower.
Where? Arnside is around 1 hour 45 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 1 hour 25 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
3 – Blackburn
A former mill town in the Ribble Valley, Blackburn has a rich industrial history.
Some of the main attractions include Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, Blackburn Cathedral, Corporation Park, Witton Country park and Hoghton Tower.
Where? Blackburn is around 55 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station or 1 hour 20 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street station.
4 – Blackpool
A vibrant seaside resort on the Irish Sea coast, Blackpool is jam-packed full of attractions to keep you entertained.
Get an adrenaline rush at the Pleasure Beach, see the resort from above at Blackpool Tower or enjoy classic seaside fun on the Piers
You could even walk on the Comedy Carpet or do some dancing at one of the ballrooms (as featured on Strictly Come Dancing!).
Where? Blackpool is about 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station or 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
5 – Bolton
One of the largest towns in Greater Manchester, Bolton is a former mill town with a rich industrial history.
Although the town centre has become a little neglected, there are still some great things to do here including admiring the view from Rivington Pike, see the architecture at Smithills Hall, Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum or Turton Tower, and spending a day at Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium.
Where? It takes around 35 minutes by road to get to Bolton from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 1 hour 15 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
6 – Bowness-on-Windermere
Situated on the banks of Lake Windermere in the breathtaking Lake District, Bowness has to be one of the best places to visit in North West England.
One of the most popular towns for tourists, you’ll find rows of quaint shops and cafes to explore in addition to major attractions such as The World of Beatrix Potter, Lake District Cruises and Windermere Jetty Museum.
Where? It takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to get to Bowness by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station or around 1 hour 45 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
You might find my blog post about Lake Windermere Cruises helpful!
7 – Burnley
Situated at the confluence of the River Calder and the River Brun, Burnley is a town in Lancashire.
You could enjoy the huge park, art gallery and museum at Towneley Hall, take a tour around the national trust-managed Elizabethan manor Gawthorpe Hall or learn about Burnley’s industrial past at the Queen Street Mill Textile Museum.
Don’t forget to listen and take a selfie with the Singing Ringing Tree, a huge outdoor sculpture located in the Pennine hill range overlooking Burnley.
Where? Burnley is around 1 hour 20 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 50 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
8 – Bury
A large market town in Greater Manchester, Bury is located on the River Irwell and has an interesting industrial history.
A former mill town, you’ll be able to visit the Bury Transport Museum and The Fusilier Museum. I recommend riding the East Lancashire Railway to Ramsbottom (yes, it’s a place) to visit the quaint shops and cafes.
If you’re visiting for the first time, make sure you go to the open-air Bury market and try the traditional black puddings!
Where? Bury is around 40 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 1 hour 15 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
You might find my blog post about Christmas on the East Lancashire Railway or Afternoon Tea on the East Lancs Railway helpful!
9 – Carlisle
Located just 10 miles south of the Scottish border, Carlisle has an incredible, rich history.
Step back in time at the 12th Century fortress and prison of Carlisle Castle or take a tour around the 15th-century house which is now home to the Guildhall Museum.
Other places you could visit include Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life or Carlie Cathedral.
Where? Carlisle is around 2 hours 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station or 2 hours by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
10 – Chester
A city famous for its incredible Roman history, Chester is one of the best places to visit in North West England.
Some of the amazing things you can do here include:
- The beautiful medieval Chester Cathedral
- Learn about Roman history at the Chester Roman Amphitheatre and the Roman Gardens. You could even visit the interactive museum, Dewa Roman Experience.
- Walk along the Chester City Walls for a unique view
- Visit the World’s oldest racecourse, Chester Racecourse, which was founded in 1539
- The world-famous Chester Zoo
- Explore Chester castle
You could also take a trip to the huge Blue Planet Aquarium or the outlet shopping at Cheshire Oaks!
Where? Chester is around 1 hour by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 40 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
You might find my blog post about Chester Zoo helpful!
11 – Chorley
A former mill town in Lancashire, Chorley is a small town, famous for the Chorley cake.
After sampling one of these delicious delicacies, take time to explore Astley Hall and Park, Yarrow Valley Country Park, Rivington Pike and Worden Park.
Where? It takes around 1 hour by road to get to Chorley from Liverpool Lime Street station or 45 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
12 – Clitheroe
A town in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, Clitheroe is the perfect base for visiting the Forest of Bowland.
Visit the medieval Clitheroe Castle, take a tour around Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, explore the remains of the 10th-century abbey, Sawley Abbey and see the boar at Bowland Wild Boar Park.
Where? Clitheroe is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 1 hour by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
13 – Crosby
Crosby is a lovely coastal town on the Sefton coast in Merseyside.
It has a stunning sandy beach that is famous for the 100 cast-iron figures by Anthony Gormley. Alternatively, you could visit Rimrose Valley Country Park or the Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve.
Where? It takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by road to reach Crosby from Manchester Piccadilly station or 25 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station.
14 – Fleetwood
A coastal town on the Fylde coast, Fleetwood is a sleepish seaside resort in Lancashire. Famously the home of Fisherman’s Friend lozenge, fishing is a major industry in this town.
Some of the main attractions in the town are the Fleetwood Musume, Farmer Parrs Animal World, Fleetwood Beach, Fleetwood Market, Rossall Point Observation Tower and the 44-foot sandstone Lower Lighthouse.
You could also catch the ferry to Knott End, a small village across the Wyre estuary.
Where? Fleetwood is approximately 1 hour 35 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or around 1 hour 20 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
15 – Formby
A coastal town on the Sefton coast in Merseyside, Formby is one of the best places to visit in North West England.
The town boasts a stunning beach, complete with sand dunes that are perfect for exploring. You will also find Ainsdale Beach close by giving you even more options. Another popular attraction is the Red Squirrel sanctuary that is a must for nature lovers.
Where? Formby is around 40 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
16 – Grasmere
If you’re looking for somewhere that looks like it’s straight off a chocolate box, Grasmere is for you.
A popular village in the centre of the Lake District, it’s famous for its gingerbread and people will queue up along the road just to buy from the tiny, traditional shop.
Other things to do in the area include visiting Dove Cottage, the former home of William Wordsworth (now known as Wordsworth Grasmere), and the National Trust owned Allan Bank, a Grade II listed villa.
Where? It takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to get to Grasmere by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station or Manchester Piccadilly Station.
17 – Heysham
A pretty coastal town overlooking Morecambe Bay, Heysham is in Lancashire.
Nature lovers will love the Heysham Coast Walk or the walking trails and wetlands at Heysham Nature Reserve. Another attraction is the ruins of the medieval St. Patrick’s Chapel which is a designated Grade I listed building.
You can also catch the ferry from here to the Isle of Man and Ireland.
Where? Heysham is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station or 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime station.
18 – Kendal
Situated in Cumbria, Kendal is just 8 miles from Windermere making it a great place to visit whilst you’re in the Lake District.
Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this market town has a handful of attractions including Kendal Castle and Sizergh Castle.
You’ll also find the museums of Abbot Hall, Kendal Museum, Lakeland Museum and the Quaker Tapestry Museum here, along with the head office of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Where?: It takes around 1 hour 40 minutes by road to reach Kendal from Manchester Piccadilly Station or Liverpool Lime Street Station.
19 – Keswick
A vibrant market town in the Lake District, Keswick is nestled between Skiddaw and Derwentwater, making it a must-visit for culture and nature lovers alike!
Some of the attractions you will find in this area include the Derwent Pencil Museum and the Castlerigg Stone Circle, a mysterious monument built around 3000 BC!
Where? It takes around 2 hours 10 minutes to reach Keswick by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 2 hours 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
20 – Knowsley
A large village in Merseyside, Knowsley is famous for Knowsley Safari Park.
Operating for over 45 years, it has both a safari drive and a foot safari, making it a fun day out.
Other attractions in this area include the Aerial Extreme high ropes course and Prescot Museum which highlights local history.
Where? Knowsley is around 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street or 50 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
21 – Knutsford
A leafy town in Cheshire, Knutsford is an affluent area, with some of the most expensive house prices outside London.
It has a pleasant enough high street, but the main attraction is Tatton Park, run by the National Trust. This stunning historic estate includes a sprawling mansion, 50 acres of landscaped gardens and even a deer park!
Other things to see close by including the Grade II listed building Arley Hall and the Jodrell Bank Observatory.
It’s also close to Alderley Edge and Wilmslow which are full of bustling shops and cafes.
Where? Knutsford is around 40 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 1 hour from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
22 – Lancaster
A city full of history, Lancaster is one of the best places to visit in North West England.
Its attractions include the medieval Lancaster Castle, the beautiful Williamson Park and the iconic Ashton Memorial. You can also learn about local maritime history at the Lancaster Maritime Museum at The Custom House.
Where? Lancaster is around 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 1 hour 20 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
23 – Liverpool
A vibrant city on the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary, Liverpool is a must-visit when you’re in North West England.
Learn about the city’s music history at The Beatles Story, Cavern Club, Strawberry Field or British Music Experience. Alternatively, explore the Royal Albert Dock, where you will find attractions such as Tate Liverpool.
Other attractions include the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool Cathedral, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Speke Hall, Sefton Park, the Liver Building and Mersey Ferries.
Where? Liverpool is served by Liverpool Lime Street which takes you straight to the heart of the city. Alternatively, it takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
24 – Lytham St. Annes
Just 2 miles down the coast from Blackpool, Lytham St. Annes is a beautiful seaside charm. St Annes has the most beautiful, clean beaches and a traditional pier, whilst Lytham town centre is full of cafes and shops to explore.
Some of the main attractions in this area include the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, St. Anne’s Pier, Lytham Hall, Lytham windmill and Fairhaven Boating Lake.
Where? Lytham St. Annes is around 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
25 – Manchester
A bustling cosmopolitan city, Manchester is one of the best places to visit in North West England.
There are tons of things to do in this city, but some of the most popular attractions are:
- Exploring the trendy shops and cafes in the Northern Quarter.
- Visiting one of the many museums such as the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, The Whitworth, Greater Mancher Police Museum, the People’s History Museum or the National Football Museum.
- Relaxing in the sprawling Heaton Park.
- Checking out the books at John Rylands Library
- Admiring the stunning architecture of the Town Hall or Manchester Cathedral.
- Seeing the city from above from the top of Beetham Tower.
- Exploring Fletcher Moss Park
- Enjoying the nightlife in Deansgate.
- Relaxing by the canal in Castlefield.
Where? Manchester’s main train station is Manchester Piccadilly station, but it’s also around 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station.
26 – Morecambe
A coastal town in Lancashire, Morecambe is the perfect place to experience the English seaside.
Take a selfie with the Eric Morecambe Statue before strolling along Morecambe Promenade and The Stone Jetty. I also recommend finding the Venus & Cupid sculpture by Shane A. Johnstone.
Where? Morecambe is around 1 hour 20 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or around 1 hour 40 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
27 – Nantwich
A market town in Cheshire, Nantwich has one the highest concentrations of listed buildings in the whole of England!
Located on the banks of the River Weaver, you’ll find stunning black and white Tudor and Georgian architecture right along the high street.
Aside from admiring the buildings, you’ll be able to learn more about local history at Nantwich Museum, which is housed in a former public library dating back to 1888. You could also take a tour around the stunning Dorfold Hall and gardens, a beautiful Grade I listed Jacobean house originally built in 1616.
Where? Nantwich is around 1 hour 5 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 1 hour 15 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street.
28 – Northwich
Not to be confused with Nantwich, Northwich is a town in West Cheshire, at the confluence of the Rivers Weaver and Dane.
There are several notable attractions here including the restored Victorian Anderton Boat Lift, the Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse and the Lion Salt Works.
You could also visit the nearby Delamere Forest which is the largest area of woodland in England.
Where? It takes approximately 55 minutes to get to Northwich by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or around 50 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
29 – Ormskirk
A market town in West Lancashire, Ormskirk has a bustling town centre full of shops and restaurants.
The market is one of the main attractions and has been running since 1286. Other things to do in the area include exploring Ruff Wood and shopping at Cedar Farm.
You could also visit Martin Mere which is an amazing wetland nature reserve nearby.
Where? Ormskirk is around 1 hour by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 40 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
You might find my blog post about Martin Mere helpful.
30 – Preston
A bustling city in Lancashire, Preston is a must-visit for culture lovers.
You could visit the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library, the Lancashire Infantry Museum or even take a ride on the Ribble Steam Railway and Museum.
If you’re looking to relax, Preston has some beautiful parks including Avenham and Miller Park and Haslam Park.
Where? Preston is approximately 1 hour from Manchester Piccadilly Station or 1 hour 15 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
31 – Ribchester
A historic village in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, Ribchester is one of the best places to visit in North West England.
Learn about the area’s Roman history by visiting Ribchester Roman Museum and exploring the remains of the Roman Baths. You could also take a tour around the Samlesbury Hall manor house which dates back to the 1300s.
Where? Ribchester is around 1 hour 15 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 1 hour by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
32 – Rochdale
One of the largest towns in Greater Manchester, Rochdale sits at the foot of the South Pennines.
Some of the most popular attractions include Hollingworth Lake, Touchstones Art Gallery, Tandle Hill and Rochdale Pioneers Museum.
I recommend walking along Rochdale Canal and admiring the industrial architecture.
Where? Rochdale is around 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 40 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
33 – Rossendale
The Rossendale area is in Lancashire and includes towns such as Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall, as well as villages like Chatterton and Irwell Vale.
Some of the main attractions include the Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, The Whitaker art gallery, Ski Rossendale, Lee Quarry Mountain Bike Trail and Halo, a large-scale illuminated outdoor sculpture.
Where? It takes around 50 minutes by road to get to Rossendale from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station or around 1 hour 15 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station.
34 – Salford
Often confused as a town, Salford is in fact its own city and has some incredible attractions to keep you busy.
Some of the most popular things to do include:
- Exploring Salford Quays,
- Taking a tour of the BBC at MediaCityUK,
- Visiting Salford Museum and Art Gallery,
- Seeing the legendary set of Coronation Street,
- Learning about Tudor history at Ordsall Hall
- Taking a selfie outside Salford lads Club
- Admire Salford Cathedral
Where? Salford is around 1 hour by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 20 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly.
35 – Southport
Southport is a traditional seaside resort on the Sefton coast in Merseyside.
Some of the most popular attractions are Southport Pleasureland, the British Lawnmower Museum, Southport Pier, Splash World, Southport Model Railway Village, Hesketh Park and the Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
Where? Southport is around 50 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station or 1 hour 20 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station.
36 – St. Helens
A large town in Merseyside, St. Helens is a former mining town, now famous for glass and rugby.
Learn about the town’s glass industry at the World of Glass, or see the many vintage buses, lorries and cars at the North West Museum of Road Transport.
Don’t forget to take a selfie with The Dream Sculpture by Jaume Plensa which is on the site of a former colliery.
Where? It takes approximately 45 minutes by road to reach St. Helens from Manchester Piccadilly station or 35 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station.
37 – Stockport
A vibrant town in Greater Manchester, Stockport has an incredible industrial history.
Some of the things you can do in the areas include:
- Learning about the Hat-making industry at the Hat Works.
- Taking a tour around the Stockport Air Raid Shelters.
- Visiting Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery or Stockport Museum
- Shopping at Stockport market.
- Exploring the grounds of Lyme Park, made famous by the Pride & Prejudice film.
- Admiring the architecture at Bramall Hall, Staircase House
- Learning about the textile industry at Quarry Bank Mill, run by the National Trust.
Where? Stockport is around 1 hour by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station or 30 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
38 – Trafford
One of the most famous areas of Manchester, there are plenty of things to do in Trafford.
Famously the home of the Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester United’s football ground, there’s much more to do in this area than sport.
In this area, you’ll find attractions such as:
- The Imperial War Museum North,
- Chill Factore (an indoor skiing and snowboarding slope),
- Dunham Massey (a National Trust Georgian estate and deer park)
- The Trafford Centre shopping complex
- LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
- SEA LIFE Manchester
- Altrincham Market, an indoor food hall and craft stalls.
Where? This is a big area, but to give you an idea, it takes around 15 minutes to travel by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station to Old Trafford Stadium or around 1 hour from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
39 – Wallasey
Located on the northeast coast of the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, Wallasey is a great location for a day out in North West England.
Relax in Vale Park in New Brighton, or see the New Brighton Lighthouse. You could even visit neighbouring Birkenhead and explore Birkenhead Park, a huge park that is a Grade I listed landscape.
Where? Wallasey is around 1 hour 10 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station or 20 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station.
40 – Warrington
Located right in the middle of Manchester and Liverpool, Warrington is a great place to visit in North West England.
Spend a day exploring the beautiful Elizabethan-style Walton Hall and Gardens or the nearby historical site of Norton Priory Museums & Gardens in Runcorn.
You’ll also find the kid’s theme park, Gulliver’s World Theme Park here.
Where? It takes around 40 minutes by road to get to Warrington from Liverpool Lime Street Station or Manchester Piccadilly Station.
41 – Whalley
A large village in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, Whalley is full of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
You could explore the 14th-century monastery gatehouse at Whalley Abbey, climb neighbouring Pendle Hill or have a picnic at Spring Wood.
Don’t forget to walk over Cromwell’s Bridge, named after Oliver Cromwell after he marched the New Model Army over it to fight the Royalists at the Battle of Preston!
Where? Whalley is around 1 hour by road from Manchester Piccadilly station, or 1 hour 20 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
42 – Wigan
Wigan is a large town in Greater Manchester and was made famous by George Orwell in his book, The Road to Wigan Pier.
Some of the top attractions in this area are the Museum of Wigan Life, Mesnes Park, Wigan Pier, Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan Flashes, Haydock Park Racecourse, and Three Sisters Race Circuit.
Where? Wigan is around 45 minutes by road from Manchester Piccadilly station or 55 minutes by road from Liverpool Lime Street station.
43 – Worsley
Located on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal, Worsley is a stunning town in Salford. I know I’ve already included Salford, but, I couldn’t help but finish this list with a spotlight on Worsley.
It’s a beautiful place for a Sunday stroll, with a network of paths leading you through the peaceful Worsley Woods.
You’ll also find the RHS Garden Bridgewater here, which is one of Europe’s largest gardening projects.
Where? Worsley is a 20-minute journey by road from Manchester Piccadilly Station or a 45-minute journey by road from Liverpool Lime Street Station.
I hope this guide has given you some travel inspiration?
Where do you think are the best places to visit in North West England? Let me know in the comments below!
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