Since living in this country, I have heard a lot about the north of England having a reputation for being a bit grim; full of rain and industrial towns that don’t have much else going on. If you believe that perception then you obviously haven’t been ‘up North’ for some time as it now boasts some fantastic cities, towns and villages to visit. We travelled to Durham last year and we loved it. We are off to Yorkshire for half term and we are very much looking forward to that too!
There are lots of lovely places to visit around Yorkshire. I have included below four places that I would love to visit or goto again:
The Lake District
This place is amazing if you are after beautiful scenery. I have not been in the Lake District yet but it is a place that I would love to visit soon and it is already on my travel bucket list. There is something for everyone in the Lakes, you can try watersports on one of the lakes, take a hike up one of its peaks or simply relax in a local village café or pub. Most lakes are a short distance from the motorway and easily reachable. Lancashire’s county town of Lancaster is a short distance from the Lakes and is a beautiful, historic city with all of the amenities you require for an enjoyable city break. If you want a real taste of Cumbrian life, stay in a quaint Bed and Breakfast and experience the country lifestyle.
Manchester
I am so excited because I will be visiting Manchester for the first time in September. I’m going to a blogging conference so it will be the perfect time to have a weekend away there. This famous industrial town has undergone a full transformation in recent years and now boasts some of the finest restaurants and shops in the UK. The Trafford Centre is a state of the art shopping centre that is home to hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars. It also has hours of entertainment opportunities including cinema, crazy golf, indoor ski slope, Legoland, Aerial Extreme and Karting to name a few. Slightly further away you can visit the BBC tour and stadium tour at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford.
Liverpool
I love Liverpool. I have been there a few times and I would love to go again. My sister in law’s family are from the Wirral which is just a short distance from Liverpool and it is just a lovely place. Just a short drive or a 30-minute train journey away is the city of Liverpool. Again it has seen something of a transformation in recent years, having been named the European Capital of Culture a few years ago, there has been a lot of investment in the Liverpool centre. You can go on a Beatles tour, go shopping in the very modern Liverpool One shopping centre or head down to the Albert Dock to one of the museums.
There is so much to do in Liverpool and you could certainly pack a weekend full of interesting attractions. Getting around in Liverpool is pretty easy as well with great train and bus links around the centre. You can even travel with ride-sharing companies like Ridester to save money. Another popular mode of transport is the ferry although it is more of an experience to ferry across the Mersey.
Whether you are in Liverpool or Manchester, you are within easy reach of Lancashire. There are plenty of free days out in Lancashire for the family to enjoy.
York
This is another city that I’m also dying to visit. York is a historic town that is a real treat for all of the family. You can take a trip to the Viking Museum to get into the history of this fantastic city and visit some of the amazing buildings such as York Castle. You won’t be short of things to keep everybody happy as York also has a great selection of shops, restaurants and bars to choose from.
Whether you fancy a trip to the exciting cities or the more relaxed and scenic attractions in the north, it certainly isn’t grim.
Have you visited any of these places? What other places do you recommend us to visit?
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I live up North. Right up here in Northumberland…We have amazing beaches, castles and countryside! It really isn’t grim up here at all. I love it 😀 x
That sounds awesome! I will make a note of it so I can visit some time! Thank you! 🙂 x
Yes, lots of interesting places to visit in the North. The Lake District is very interesting we have walked and climbed a lot there. Chester is a lovely place to visit being another walled city.
I need to visit Chester too. Maybe next time we visit you we can go around that area! X
Lindo viaje !! Qué suerte conocer lugares tal lindos !!
Love u
Romi
Uy no he ido aun a esos lugares. Solo Liverpool pero me encantaria ir! 🙂
Up North is the best place on earth! I would definitely recommend that you add Snowdonia to your travel bucket list – Seeped with history – industrial, medieval, castles, beaches, mountains, you name it we’ve got it! OK ok I am biased since I live here but honestly, there is no finer place on earth in my opinion.
(Are you going to BlogOn then? I am too!)
Been to York, and enjoyed the visits. Not been to Liverpool since I was a child. Would be nice to get the opportunity to visit York, Liverpool and elsewhere. Weekend visits can be nice.
Not far from York but don’t go enough! I like going out towards Scarborough and Whitby. What did you think of Pickering?
I’ve been to all of these lovely places and can confirm they are not at all grim! My dad’s from Leeds so I spent a lot of time ‘up North’ growing up x #KCACOLS
I’ve not been to any of these places (I’ve only spent 3 days in London, but that will change soon) but I have to say, these look lovely. Who knew? (probably all of you over there 😉
#KCACOLS
I’ve only been to York out of the places on your list, but oh my its lovely!! Coming to think of it, York is the only North place I’ve visited. Leamington Spa is lovely but thats more Midlands!! #KCACOLS
I’m such a southerner through and through, all these places feel so far from Cornwall. #KCACOLS
I’m a Yorkshire girl living in London now and OMG do I miss it. The SPACE, the FRESH AIR, the SCENERY. Having said that I’ve got no plans to head back any time soon though… Enjoy your trip to Yorkshire, where are you visiting? I’m brimming with suggestions if you need! xxx #kcacols
I’m already back home! We went last week! It was lovely! We really enjoyed the trip. We went to Ellerby, Whitby and York. Love it all! I would love to go back again and explore even more! 🙂 x
Someday I am gonna make it across the pond and see these amazing sights!
#KCACOLS
We went to York when I was a teenager. I remember the old feeling buildings and beauty of it! You’ll love it. Personally I’d love to go check out Lakes Town! That’s more my cup of tea these days!!! #kcacols
It def isn’t grim up north is it – so many fabulous cities 🙂 I love Liverpool too – we did the beatles tour and it was fab! #KCACOLS
I think it is a myth. So long as you get some half decent weather it can br lovely up north and there’s some lovely places to visit. #kcacols
There are some great cities up North. I am a born and bred Londoner myself and will always prefer the south but Manchester is great and the Tate gallery in Liverpool is lovely. It does rain more up north though, although you can hardly claim that the weather is pleasant down south. Pen x #KCACOLS
my best friend lives in york and I’ve visited all these places. I think the North is much like most places, life is life. if you have a crappy life in the north it’s not going to be any better in the south of the country. #kcacols
I went to the lake district when I was younger but I am yet to visit any of these cites, as a united fan for the past 30 years I really should have visited Manchester by now! #kcacols
I used to live in Leeds, then moved more north, up to the suniest city in Scotland! Loved it. Now I’m about as south east as you can be, I keep trying to convince my hubby to relocate up north! Hope you get to visit and explore all these places. #KCACOLS
Well I’m from the north east so I definitely don’t think it’s grim up north! I love going home for the lovely warm welcome and friendly banter. Durham is gorgeous isn’ it. I think I prefer the little northern villages though to the towns, the likes of north yorkshire and the dales and girl – you have to go to the Lake District, there is nothing more beautiful! Can’t say I love Manchester that much though :/ sorry! #kcacols
I live in the north and I love it, the lakes are close by, Manchester is a fab city, the Peak District isn’t far and the Yorkshire sales aren’t that far either! Check out Bolton Abbey and the surrounding countryside whilst you’re in Yorkshire if you can, its stunning x
#KCACOLS
My husband is from Yorkshire and I definitely don’t think it’s grim up north! I love it! I haven’t been all the places above, but York is a beautiful city full of character. #kcacols
I lived ‘up North’ for a year and absolutely loved it. The people are friendlier and there is some wonderful countryside. I have visited all the places you mention but my favourite has to be York. My partner and I had our first date there and it’s also where he proposed to me 4 months later :-). #KCACOLS
I’m a Liverpool girl and now live on the Wirral. I love Liverpool it really is such a vibrant city! #kcacols
I’ve connections with the north and there sure are some beautiful places too. #KCACOLS
Everywhere looks beautiful in sunshine!
#kcacols
I’m a Yorkshire girl so pleased to read this post. I’ve visited everywhere on your list except Liverpool. I’ll change that soon. #KCACOLS
I’m from the North! I like York, my favourite place is Hull though, does that make me a bit sad? I genuinely love Hull. Totally not grim up north (although the town I live in is called GRIMsby!
#KCACOLS
There are some amazingly beautiful places in the north. Hubby has a course in the north in July and we’re considering taking a week off after and to go to the Lake District. It really is as beautiful as the south! #KCACOLS
I have been to the Lake District and it was truly breathtaking and beautiful. The memory of it has always been tainted with receiving some bad news whilst we were there though.
I loved Birmingham but would love to properly visit Manchester and Liverpool and be a proper tourist there.
#KCACOLS
Chester is a lovely town, it’s where my sister went to University. I visited a few times while she was there and really liked it. x #KCACOLS
Definitely loads of great places to visit up north. I went to Uni in Hull which is the year’s city of culture. My partner lived in Newcastle for a while too and we loved it there. From your list, we love York and have visited quite a few times. #KCACOLS
I’ve not been to any of these cities, I’m quite disappointed with myself really! I desperately want to go to the Lake District though! Maybe I can persuade my OH to spend a weekend up there soon! #KCACOLS Becky x
There are lots of lovely places in Yorkshire, where my mother lives. Harrogate is a beautiful town and Leeds is a great city. There’s some stunning coastline too around Whitby and Flamborough Head. #KCACOLS
The weather may be grim at times but the scenery certainly isn’t, I love living in the North. The Lake District is stunning and York is beautiful. Manchester in September? Does that mean you’re going to BlogOnXMAS? I’m going too and I’m so excited x
#KCACOLS
We’re off to the Lake District in April for a week, and are really looking forward to it. Even more after seeing this post! I remember going to Manchester about 10 years ago and being really impressed and going 20+ years ago and visiting Old Trafford and the Corrie set. X #kcacols
I have never been to Manchester and not had the most amazing time. I love it. I also used to live in York and think it’s a great place to visit (though wouldn’t want to live there again!). lake District is also amazing. I’ve only ever passed through Liverpool once. Didn’t do much for me to be honest but three out of four is good! the NOrth isn’t grim, but it is very different.