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Air Raid Shelters
The tunnels and shelters used during World War 11 which you can explore. 61 Chestergate, Stockport (0161 474 1940).
Alton Towers
A large theme park that attracts huge visitor numbers. Alton (0870 444445).
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Animal World and Butterfly House
Animal World features small animals, tropical birds and butterfly house with free flying butterflies. Moss Bank Park, Bolton (01204 334050).
Arley Hall
An Elizabethan country house with well kept gardens. Northwich (01565 777353).
Blackpool
A gaudy and gauche seaside holiday resort 40 miles northwest of Manchester, Blackpool has long become almost a caricature of itself and its humble beginnings as a working class holiday resort in the mid to late 1800s. At its peak in the middle part of the last century, it would attract 17 million visitors a year. Such was its popularity, rumour has it the town escaped bomb damage during WWII because Hitler had it earmarked as a recreational area after his planned invasion. Since these heady days the town has transformed into more of a day or weekend trip destination than a vacation base, thanks largely to improved road communications and package holiday competition from the Mediterranean. At the right time of year, usually late August to Early November, the seven-mile-long Blackpool Illuminations dazzle the seafront with colour, and are simply breathtaking. A good day out would couple this with some daylight hours at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, a large amusement park with one of the tallest and fastest rollercoasters in the world.
Bramhall Hall
A black and white timbered hall in a 60 acre park to the south of the city. Bramhall Park, Stockport (0161 485 3708).
Chester Zoo
The largest zoo in Britain and about one hour to the west of Manchester . Just outside Chester (01244 380280).
Dunham Massey Hall
An 18th century house, gardens and park. Altrincham (0161 941 1025) |
East Lancashire Railway
Stream trains and scenic views from Bury to Rawtenstall. Bolton Street, Bolton (0161 764 7790).
Fletcher Moss
A high walled garden in Didsbury with well maintained gardens that run down to the River Mersey. Wilmslow Road , Didsbury (0161 998 2117).
Gawthorpe Hall
An Elizabethan House with a wooded park and river. Padiham, Burnley (01282 771004).
Hat Works
A display that illustrates Stockport 's fame as a hat making centre. Two audio visual theatres, early hatting workshops, hates cottage, hat block making workshop, working machinery and display galleries. Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, and Stockport. (0161 355 7770).
Heaton Hall and Park
A 600 acre park owned by the Manchester city council and a house built in 1772. Prestwich (0161 773 1231).
Jodrell Bank
A radio telescope that has a famous history. Lower Withington, Holmes Chapel (01477 571339).
Little Moreton Hall
A manor house with a moat of the English Tudor time. Congleton (01260 272018).
Liverpool
Mention the name “Liverpool” and what springs to mind? The Beatles? Shipping? Urban decline? An accent so thick you could lay bricks with it? While Manchester may have its fair share of firsts when it comes to canals and railroads, it pales in comparison to the achievements of Liverpool 30 miles to the east. At one time it was the second city of the British Empire after London. As Britain’s main port, the city flourished like no other, and was, at times, wealthier than London itself. Brevity negates an almost unending list of industrial, cultural and scientific accomplishments originating in Liverpool, but after experiencing an even steeper decline in fortunes than her neighbouring city, Manchester, she has enjoyed a similarly exponential resurgence during the last couple of decades. Now she boasts a thriving economy and a healthy tourist trade, which combine to make Liverpool a definite on your to-do list.
Lyme Park
A house, garden and large park with Pennine landscapes. Disley, Stockport (01663 762 023).
Peak District National Park
The Peak District National Park is an area that encompasses the southern part of the low Pennine mountains, lying southeast of Manchester but right on the city’s doorstep. The Pennines are known as the “Backbone of England” as they run from the Peak District all the way up the middle of England into southern Scotland. An area of outstanding scenic beauty, it was the first National Park to be assigned so in the British Isles, and at 22 million visitors a year, it is regarded as the second most visited national park in the world after Mount Fuji National Park in Japan.
Quarry Bank Mill
A mill exhibit run by the national trust within the surrounding the Style Country Park. Styal, Wilmslow (01625 527468).
Skipton Castle
40 miles north of Manchester, Skipton is the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. As a thriving market Skipton made its mark trading sheep and wool before becoming a mill town in the 1800s. Owing to its location on the doorstep of the Dales, there is a bustling tourism industry, with great shopping, wonderful local scenery, and beautiful historic architecture. Prime among the buildings is Skipton Castle, one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in England, even at 900 years old.
Smithills Hall
A half timbered house some 800 years old. Smithills Dean Road , Bolton (01204 332377).
Staircase House
A 15th Century Staircase House that has been brought to life with lots of interaction and clever effects. 30 Market Street, Stockport (0161 480 1460).
Stalybridge Country Park
This park is split into two areas the Brushes Valley with four reservoirs and Carrbrook lying in the shadow of Buckton Castle. Millbrook, Stalybridge (0161 330 9613).
Tatton Park
A 1000 acre deer park set on the Cheshire plains. Knutsford (01625 534 400).
Worsley Village
A canal was constructed to link the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines from Worsley to Manchester . The buildings of interest are the Bridgewater Estate Offices, the Alphabet Bridge , and the humpback bridge, the Nailmakers House, Rock House, Packet House and the former Police Station. Worsley Road, Worsley (0161 848 8601).
Werneth Low Country Park
The ‘lowest' spur on the Pennines with good views over Manchester with a visitor centre that has exhibits about the cultural history and landscapes. Higham Lane, Hyde (0161 368 6667).
Wigan Pier Experience
A few attractions on a larger site including a heritage centre, Museum of Memories and Trencherfield Mill. Trencherfield Mill, Wigan Pier, Wigan (01942 323666).
Wythenshawe Hall
A timber framed house dating from the 16 th Century, with a statue of Oliver Cromwell facing the front of the house set in the grounds of Wythenshawe Park. Altrincham Road, Wythenshawe (0161 998 2331).
Yorkshire Dales National Park
The Yorkshire Dales National Park lies beyond Skipton, and blankets the Pennines as they march north. Home to rolling hills with inspiring views and gorgeous stone villages tucked into exquisite valleys, this is the countryside James Herriot made famous. Latticed with innumerable hiking trails and dotted with beauty spots, this is land made to walk across. Most villages have a cosy pub and tea rooms to relax in, but if drinking beer or tea isn’t your thing you can simply find a quiet overlook on a lonely bluff and drink in the view.
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