North West England packs a lot into a small area. In a single trip you can see a match or a gig in Manchester, walk Liverpool’s waterfront, shop in Chester’s medieval galleries, ride the trams along Blackpool’s seafront and hike above the lakes of Cumbria.

Why visit North West England

For big-city culture and wild landscapes side by side. The cities are known for music, football, museums and food, while the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers lakes, fells and the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike.

Top places to visit in North West England

Manchester

Red-brick warehouses, canals, the Science and Industry Museum, two Premier League clubs and a huge food and nightlife scene in the Northern Quarter.

Liverpool

The Royal Albert Dock with Tate Liverpool and The Beatles Story, two cathedrals and a waterfront that is one of the most famous views in England.

Chester

Roman and medieval city walls you can walk all the way round, the two-level shopping galleries known as the Rows and a beautiful cathedral.

Blackpool

The classic British seaside: Blackpool Tower, three piers, the Pleasure Beach and, in autumn, the Illuminations along the promenade.

The Lake District

Windermere, Ullswater and Derwentwater, lake cruises, stone villages and walking trails for every level.

Best time to visit North West England

May to September is best for the Lakes and the coast. Cities are good all year. The Blackpool Illuminations usually run from early September to early November. Pack a waterproof: the north-west is one of the wetter parts of England.

Getting around North West England

Manchester Airport is the main gateway. Fast trains link Manchester and Liverpool in under an hour, and London to Manchester takes around two hours. Trains and buses reach Blackpool, Chester and Windermere; a car helps in the Lake District.

What to eat in North West England

Lancashire hotpot, a lamb and potato stew; scouse in Liverpool; Eccles cakes; Cumberland sausage; and fish and chips on Blackpool’s promenade.