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Planning to visit the North of England, but confused which cities to pick? Fret no more! We at Thomas Cook India have curated the ultimate list of cities to visit in Northern England. We will tell you all about the cities, giving you a glimpse of what makes people around the world flock to these places.
From Manchester with its footfall frenzy and wild shopping scenes to the charm and serenity of York, Newcastle, and Lancaster, in this list you will find all the cities that must be visited when on a trip to England. While some cities offer great adventures, others will leave you spellbound with their cultural heritage and magnificent monuments. All in all, each destination on this list of cities to visit when in the North of England, has something extraordinary for its visitors.
Let us quickly take you through the cities in the North of England we have lined up for you today:
1. Manchester, the Capital of the North
2. Leeds, an escape to everything green
3. Liverpool, the Beatles and the football stories
4. Lancaster, a cyclist’s dream-come-true
5. York, the quaint city
6. Newcastle, for the connoisseur in you
7. Windermere, home to the largest lake in the UK
8. Chester, the walled city
Manchester is one of the most versatile cities in the North of England offering its visitors a plethora of experiences. The music scene in Manchester is something to look out for when in the city. A-list bands and musicians perform every now and then in the various musical festivals organized in Manchester. Also, since the place and its people cannot function without variety, you will come across music of various genres being played here.
Manchester is also a haven for shopping lovers. It is paradise for people who like to stock up on designer wear as well as those who prefer collecting indie products and supporting local makers and artists. The shopping centres and arcades sprinkled across the city speaks for how much of a shopping destination the city of Manchester is. Consider walking into the Manchester Art Gallery to collect some of the finest artefacts and accessories created by local makers.
A visit to Manchester is incomplete without delving into the various scrumptious meals the place has to offer to you on a platter! Add on your to-do list, a stopover at Ancoats, also known as Little Italy. Once there, pile up your plate with some of the most delicious pizzas and pastas that you can find in the whole of England.
Anyone looking for a weekend gateway, when in the United Kingdom, must take a trip to the gorgeous city of Leeds. If you are doing Leeds with family, then consider Harewood House and Gardens to stun you into disbelief with its spectacular architecture. Their art collection is sure to leave each one of you impressed, especially furniture made in the style of Thomas Chippendale. The half-dozen galleries in Leeds City Museum may also be something you would want to add to your list of activities to do with family when in Leeds.
For those craving greenery and all things natural, Leeds has several parks to offer. From the outstanding Roundhay Park with its picturesque country pubs for a relaxing afternoon, to Woodhouse Moor with the greenest spots in the city only a mile away from Leeds City Centre, this city will satisfy the Thoreau in you by offering you such exquisite greens to walk around.
If you are visiting Leeds with children or wildlife enthusiasts, then you might want to plan a visit to Tropical World, the Leeds Zoo, for a day. Be sure to walk through the Rainforest floor leaf-cutter ants and the enormous arrowhead plants. In the creature corner, you get to spend time with some slithering mortals like iguanas and snakes. Refresh yourself during the wildlife tour with some of the best coffee served with love at the Tropical World Café.
When in the stunning city of Liverpool, keep your afternoons off for some museum hopping and your late evenings free for some pub crawling. If you love the Beatles and their Hey Jude or I Want To Hold Your Hand, then you must walk into the Beatles Story Exhibition when in Liverpool. This museum dedicated to the fabulous four is on almost every music lover’s must-visit lists. Even if you are not a fan of the Beatles, travellers say that the exhibition is absolutely delightful and worth a visit.
And when you find yourself in Liverpool, how can you not visit Anfield, the home stadium of Liverpool Football Club. This stadium is the seventh largest in England. You might want to take a tour of the stadium to get to know more about the history of the club. During this tour, you will also be allowed to peak into the changing rooms and the press box. As a part of the tour, you will also be allowed to sit in the Kop!
Lancaster is a cycling enthusiast’s paradise. Once here, you can paddle down the various cycling routes offered by this city in the North of England. Make sure you try out the courses around the city as well as the country side and the coast. While biking around, be sure to visit the Lancaster Charter Market. This is a street market that hosts several stalls through the day, ranging from food stalls and confectionery stations to shops where you can get pottery and ceramics. If you have always wanted to try the famous North African Coriander Bread, then you might get lucky in the Lancaster Charter Market.
The Cottage Museum in Lancaster sees hordes of visitors through the year, and that too for valid reasons. Expanding across five floors, the Cottage Museum allows you to catch a sight of the Victorian way of life. It is an 18th Century museum and definitely on our list of must-go-to-see-places when in Lancaster.
To see the beauty of York in all its majesty, you should cruise along the River Ouse that cuts through the city. This experience is bound to be a quaint one, and so be sure to carry your camera with you. As you sail through the course of Ouse, you will see some of the best sights of York, the most popular being the Millennium Bridge. After the cruise, you might also want to go for a solo walk or a romantic one with your partner on the path by the river. You can also stop by the Clifford’s Tower, climb up to the top to get the most dazzling panoramic view of the cityscape.
Fun fact: York was once under the rule of the Danes. To explore this Danish history of the city, you might want to visit the Jorvik Viking Centre. This centre offers the visitors a sneak peek into the Viking lifestyle. You will be taken on carriages that have speakers in them guiding you through the entire setting.
The foodies have so much to nibble on and gobble down when in Newcastle. From Indian street food to an authentic English breakfast that does not miss out on the baked beans or the fried mushrooms, you will find all sorts of food in Newcastle. Sauntering along the Tyne Bridge, you might want to walk into a pub called The Redhouse for some of the most delicious quick bites, especially their pies. When around the Tyne, also be sure to visit Sage Gateshead for all that jazz, literally!
For lovers of contemporary art, Newcastle in northern England has some cool galleries that you can drop by. The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is one such stop. What previously was a flour mill has been reconstructed into a hub for art lovers and art makers alike. The other experience that is absolutely unmissable in Newcastle is the live theatre. By the quay, you get to experience some of the finest theatre as well as stand-up events.
Any fans of Beatrix Potter in the house? If you too grew up on stories of the Velveteen Rabbit, then Windermere is definitely one of the places you would want to spend a few days in. The Lake District National Park, with its ice-cold ribbon lakes, is a popular tourist destination. Also, owing to its rugged terrain, the place is a hiker’s delight. Windermere is also home to the largest lake in the United Kingdom, Windermere Lake. Walking around it can be a treat to the eyes as well as the soul.
The most popular walks around Windermere are Orrest Head, with its striking scenes of the rocky horizon, and School Knott with its famous circular walk. Make sure you slip on a comfortable pair of shoes that take care of you and ensure you have a smooth walking experience along the beautiful city.
When planning a trip to the North of England, you cannot give the city of Chester a miss. Chester was once a Roman fortification, and hence is called the walled city. Consider taking a walking tour of it to discover the city’s Roman heritage. What is more, you and your travel companions can take this walk with an authentic Roman soldier.
Chester has several beautiful experiences to offer to its visitor. Among this, the most sought-after experience is walking through Chester Rows with its galleried alleyways, and then shopping from the various stores strewn along their entire length. If you would like to gawk at some of the most gorgeous half-timbered houses in the world, then Watergate Street in Chester is the place to be. Some of the most prominent of these half-timbered houses is God’s Providence House and Leche House, built in 1652 and 1579, respectively.
When in Chester, you must pay a visit to the Chester Cathedral. Apart from the history it cradles in its heart and the splendid architecture that it unveils, the Cathedral is also known for its Choir. The Early Decorated Choir leaves visitors gasping for breath owing to its magnificence.
The cities in the North of England and all of their charms await you. If you are having trouble planning the trip, let us assist you. We at Thomas Cook India will help you plan your next vacation to one or all of these cities!
