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Is it Grim up North?

amomentwithfranca · 3 February 2017 · 42 Comments

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!

Is it Grim up North-

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

Travelodge 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

Manchester 2

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

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

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? 

*Disclaimer: Collaborative post

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

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Filed Under: Collaborative Posts, Travel Tagged With: Liverpool, Manchester, Travelling, York

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren says

    21 February 2017 at

    Everywhere looks beautiful in sunshine!
    #kcacols

    Reply
  2. Sarah Barrett says

    21 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  3. Jenny (Accidental Hipster Mum) says

    21 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  4. Mrs Mummy Harris says

    22 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  5. Cassie says

    22 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  6. Madeline (this Glorious Life) says

    22 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  7. Laura says

    24 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  8. Becky | Bringing up the Berneys says

    24 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  9. Tabitha Siklos says

    24 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  10. alana - BurniShed chaos says

    24 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  11. New Mummy blog says

    26 February 2017 at

    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

    Reply
  12. John Adams says

    26 April 2017 at

    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.

    Reply
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