Perched 380 feet (116 meters) up the Blackpool Tower, the Blackpool Tower Eye has indoor and outdoor observation decks and commands spectacular views. Visitors can soak in the panoramas, stand on the glass Skywalk above Blackpool promenade, and enjoy a 4D cinematic journey through Blackpool’s history as a curtain-raiser to their visit.
The Imperial War Museum North—one of five branches of the Imperial War Museum throughout England—is housed in a Daniel Libeskind–designed building meant to resemble a globe split into shards. The museum houses a collection of more than 2,000 objects that relate to global conflict and show how the specter of war changes lives forever.
Madame Tussauds is a popular visitor attraction all around the world, but Madame Tussauds Blackpool—the only UK branch outside London—grants you an audience with some of Britain’s best-known celebrities. Here you can come face to face with everyone from singer Olly Murs to athlete Mo Farah, and even the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The People’s History Museum tells the story of democracy in the UK, and collects, studies, and displays materials related to the lives of working people. Housed in a Grade II listed former hydraulic pumping station that has since been given a striking architectural makeover, the museum underwent a major renovation in 2010.
For 800 years, this stately pile overlooking the Eskdale valley has been—and still is—home to the Pennington family. Built in the 13th century, the castle has been expanded several times, most recently in 1885. Visitors can explore sumptuous state rooms, 77-acre (31-hectare gardens, and observe birds of prey at the Hawk and Owl Center.
Spanning 125 acres (51 hectares, Chester Zoo features 35,000 animals from more than 500 different species, including exotic and endangered species from around the world. One of the most popular zoos in the UK, Chester Zoo draws nearly 2 million visitors a year. It’s also a leader in wildlife education and conservation.
Owned by the University of Manchester and housed in a striking, neo-Gothic building, the Manchester Museum has a vast collection that spans natural history, anthropology, and archaeology. Collection highlights include everything from a fossilized Tyrannosaurus Rex (nicknamed "Stan") to ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Manchester Central Library is a cultural institution that boasts neoclassical architecture reminiscent of ancient Rome. With grand columns and a dome-shaped roof loosely inspired by the Pantheon, this architectural marvel underwent a stunning £50 million renovation in 2010. Uncover hidden heritage spaces like the magnificent Wolfson Reading Room and explore vast collections in Britain's second-largest public lending library.
In addition to being the city’s most recognizable landmark, the Eiffel Tower–inspired Blackpool Tower is home to a variety of entertainment venues, including the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The 19th-century ballroom is a destination for dance fans from across the globe and filming location for the BBC seriesCome Dancing and some editions of the dance-competition seriesStrictly Come Dancing.
For over 120 years, this 42-acre (17-hectare amusement park has been drawing fun-loving visitors to England’s northwest coast with its roller coasters, family-friendly rides, and immersive shows and events. Today’s highlights include the recording-breaking Big One, iconic Big Dipper, and the UK’s first multi-launch coaster, Icon.
Located on Blackpool’s promenade, SEA LIFE® Blackpool is a popular, family-friendly attraction. The center houses more than 2,000 sea creatures, allowing visitors to marvel at the marine life of the UK’s shoreline and the world’s deepest oceans—from sharks and rays to seahorses, reef fish, and turtles.
The Eiffel Tower–inspired, century-old Blackpool Tower is the northern English city’s most recognizable sight. More than a landmark, though, the tower is home to a variety of entertainment venues, including the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, which takes visitors on a trip through a thousand years of Lancashire’s gruesome and macabre history.
In the heart of Carlisle town, Carlisle Castle is a Norman-built castle that played an important role in the history of both England and Scotland. Used as a defensive stronghold and a prison, a visit here will take you a thousand years into the past.
Home to immersive habitats, interactive rock pools, and thousands of sea creatures, SEA LIFE® Manchester is one of Manchester’s most popular family-friendly destinations. Both entertaining and educational, exhibits such as the ocean tunnel, shark shipwreck, and rocky hideout invite visitors to get up close and personal with aquatic species.
With roots stretching back more than 1,000 years to its time as a Benedictine abbey, Chester Cathedral is deeply ingrained in Chester’s history. Bounded by the city’s Roman walls and largely built between the 10th and 16th centuries, this Romanesque and neo-Gothic red sandstone church intrigues with its richly carved choir, 216-step tower, and medieval treasures.
Consistently one of Manchester’s most-visited attractions, the Lowry is a visual and performing arts center that houses three theaters, plus galleries and other public spaces. Opened in 2000 and dedicated by the Queen of England, the Lowry has played a significant role in the regeneration of the city’s Salford Quays area.
One of only two in the United Kingdom, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester promises an exciting family-friendly day out. Let your imagination run riot at LEGO® workshops, ride Kingdom Quest, check out the 4D cinema, and marvel over miniatures. Then, stop by the play area before buying bricks of your own in the LEGO shop.
At the base of Blackpool’s landmark tower, the Blackpool Tower Circus has provided spectacular entertainment since opening in 1894, making it Blackpool’s longest-running show. Book a ticket and the clowns, acrobats, and musicians will be sure to keep you amused with their antics and stunts.
Located in the heart of Manchester, the Royal Exchange Theatre features a unique 360-degree performance space—one of the largest in the UK—creating an intimate atmosphere for audience members to feel closer to the action. Known for commissioning and producing original, innovative theater, a host of world-renowned actors have tread its boards, including Helen Mirren, Hugh Grant, and Kate Winslet.
Long the heart of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community, the Gay Village is a place of revelry, celebration, and remembrance. Situated around Canal Street, which is home to a wealth of late-night spots, the Village is a popular nightlife destination, while landmarks like the Alan Turing Memorial and Beacon of Hope (an HIV and AIDS memorial) are worth visiting as well.
The Beatles Statue is exactly as the name suggests—a bronze statue of the iconic band known as the Fab Four. Erected to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band’s last gig in Liverpool, it has become one of the most popular spots for fans to take selfies. Of course, Liverpool is significant as it was the birthplace of the band.
Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches 73 miles (117 kilometers) across the north of England, all the way from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Built in AD 122 under Emperor Hadrian’s orders and finished four years later, the wall marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire in Britain.
The Western Approaches Museum, housed in a former World War II bunker in Liverpool, serves as both a memorial and a museum. Once the Western Approaches Command headquarters, this top-secret underground facility was crucial in the Battle of the Atlantic. Visitors can explore its labyrinth of rooms and uncover the strategies and secrets that were pivotal to the British Armed Forces' success.
Take a trip back in time and across the river from Liverpool to see the U-Boat Story. As you explore an authentic WWII German submarine recovered in 1993—now a museum boasting interactive displays, accessible viewing windows, and wartime artifacts, including an Enigma machine—gain insight into onboard life and discover the crew’s fate.
The oldest, longest, and most complete urban fortifications in the UK, Chester’s City Walls date back more than 2,000 years to when Chester was a Roman outpost. Today, the City Walls remain one of the most popular attractions in town, offering a scenic walking circuit around the city and a chance to immerse yourself in Chester’s rich history.
A little piece of history in the center of town, Chester Castle was founded by William the Conqueror back in 1070, as a motte-and-bailey fortress. While it might not be the grand Norman castle it once was, the site’s Agricola Tower and some ruins remain, offering visitors a glimpse of Chester’s past.
One of Chester’s top family-friendly attractions, Sick to Death is dedicated to the history of medicine, in all its gross, gory, and shocking detail. Full of interactive exhibits and themed areas that focus on topics ranging from plagues and pandemics to autopsies and apothecaries, the museum is housed within the Grade II listed St. Michael’s Church in the medieval Chester Rows.
For a day of outdoor fun, head over to Crocky Trail adventure park. Tackle the rough-and-tumble trail itself—complete with rope bridges, stepping stones, sandpits, and swings—or stick to the playground rides before enjoying a picnic or snack from the on-site shop.
Discover the home of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase on a trip to Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse. Dating back to 1829, the main site offers the opportunity to see traditional horse racing on scheduled race days, while its Equestrian Centre, Motor Racing Circuit, and Golf Centre provide alternatives for off-season visits.
Storyhouse is Chester’s modern cultural center, which encompasses a theater, cinema, restaurant, bars, and a library, along with open-air space for events. Housed inside a renovated art deco cinema building from the 1930s, the venue opened in 2017 and is a popular site for families, culture lovers, students, and tourists alike. You can find it in the heart of Chester city center.
