The North is known for its breathtaking nature in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. It’s also celebrated for its vibrant cities that offer an interesting blend of historical charm and modern developments.
If you’ve got a free weekend but are unsure where to go, keep reading for our top Northern city break picks.
Music fans celebrate Liverpool as the birthplace of the Beatles, one of the most influential bands in pop history. The city is steeped in rich cultural history, partly thanks to its iconic waterfront, which makes it a major port for transatlantic shipping.
Take a trip to the painstakingly restored Royal Albert Dock, the first built in Britain with only bricks and iron. It was once a vital harbour basin for unloading cotton, tobacco, and sugar. Today, it houses luxury apartments, restaurants, and museums and serves as a success story of gentrification.
Liverpool is an excellent city for football enthusiasts. Touring Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool FC, provides the opportunity to watch Premier League matches and experience the passion of the game firsthand. You can even pick up a souvenir football shirt of your favourite player there.
Manchester, often described as the capital of the North, seamlessly blends its industrial heritage with modern culture. It boasts the UK’s largest tram network, with 99 stops taking visitors all over the city to historical sites that powered the Industrial Revolution.
Art lovers can explore the White and Manchester Art Galleries, which house extensive collections of contemporary and classical works. Afterwards, a visit to the Northern Quarter is a great way to discover unique, independent shops and cafes.
Leeds boasts the best shopping experience in the North, a celebrated indie food scene, and spectacular Victorian architecture. Take the water taxi from the Granary Wharf to Leeds Dock, where you can visit the Royal Armouries.
The Armouries houses a vast collection of historical artefacts, including Henry VIII’s armour. History buffs looking for an outdoor escape can visit Kirkstall Abbey, a medieval Cistercian abbey, before eating at Kirkgate Market.
York has been a cultural hub since Roman times and has retained its historic charm. It has the longest town walls in England and is home to the Shambles, a winding medieval street beloved by Harry Potter fans.
The city is also home to York Minster, one of Northern Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals. A church was first recorded on the site in 627, and the current Grade I-listed cathedral was constructed between 1220 and 1472. It’s retained most of its stained glass, with its east window depicting the Last Judgement being the world’s biggest expanse of medieval stained glass.
