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Want to discover the surroundings and looking for the best day trips from Manchester? We are here to help!
Manchester is ideally located in North West England, near the beaches, national parks and more.
This area of the UK is particularly underrated but as Mancunians, we know how pretty it actually is.
We have access to everything from Manchester. Within a couple of hours, we can get such a variety of landscapes and activities.
In this article, you can find all the best destinations for day trips from Manchester and what to do in each one.
1. Chester
Chester is a beautiful cathedral city in Cheshire and it’s only an hour away from Manchester, making it an excellent destination for a cultural day trip from Manchester.
You can easily reach Chester by car (1 hour drive) or train. There is a direct train from Piccadilly taking just one hour.
The city was founded by the Romans in the first century and was named after the River Dee which flows through it.
At the time, it was called Fortress Diva. It was then later conquered by William I and the Normans.
Chester is home to some of Britain’s most remarkable historical sites including the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre.
There are a lot of things you can do in Chester for a day and here are our recommendations.
You can take the free walking tour of Chester and explore the city walls, visit the cathedral, walk along the Chester Rows and check out the stunning Eastgate Clock.
Taking a walking tour is a great way to explore a city since you get to see most of it in a couple of hours and learn plenty about the history,
If you are visiting on a sunny day, you should consider taking a cruise on the River Dee. It’s absolutely stunning.
You can also enjoy some traditional afternoon tea in one of its many tea rooms.
2. Liverpool
Calling all Beatles fans for this one!
Liverpool is just 40 minutes away from Manchester by train from Victoria (or an hour by car) and is one of the best cities to visit near Manchester.
It is famous for many things including The Beatles, football, Albert Docks and museums.
It had a very important role during the Industrial Revolution as it was where most of the cotton would arrive. Its history is closely linked to Manchester’s.
PRO TIP: If you are into history, we recommend doing the free walking tour in Manchester and then the one in Liverpool so you truly get the full picture of the Industrial Revolution and the link between the two cities.
When you arrive in Liverpool, you can walk around the city centre and explore Liverpool One, a large open-air shopping centre.
We then recommend taking the free walking tour so you learn about the history of the city and see all the famous landmarks including Matthew Street and the Cavern Club.
You can then head to Albert Docks which on top of being stunning, is home to fantastic museums.
The maritime museum is particularly interesting since you really get to understand the role of Liverpool during the Triangle Trade.
Also, it’s free to visit.
You can also go to the Ferris wheel, the Beatles Story and Liverpool Cathedral.
3. Edale
If you are looking for some great walks in the Peak District, then Edale will be your paradise.
This small village is located a bit over 1-hour drive from Manchester city centre but you can also get the direct train there which only takes 45 minutes.
It is one of the best places to visit in the Peak District and the perfect spot for hikers.
The most famous hike in the area is Mam Tor. You can head there from the village or park directly at the National Trust carpark.
We highly recommend doing the Great Ridge Walk which will take you all the way to Back Tor.
The views from there are absolutely stunning and you can make it all the way down to Castleton, another cute village in the Peak District.
Another notable hike in the area is Kinder Scout. It’s a bit harder but the views are also incredible.
There are a couple of pubs in Edale where you can get lunch. If you are visiting on a Sunday, you’ll love their Sunday roast.
4. Alton Towers
Located near Stoke-on-Trent, Alton Towers is one of the best theme parks in the UK and can be easily visited on a day trip from Manchester.
It only takes 1h30 to get there by car. Once you arrive, you will find loads of parking spaces where you can leave your vehicle and can then hop on the train to the entrance of the park.
Once you are in, it’s time to start having fun and try all the different attractions.
If you love adrenaline-filled rides, here are the ones you should head to: Wicker Man, the Smiler, Oblivion and Rita.
There are also a lot of attractions that are more family-friendly including one where you go down rapids on the big buoy and pirate boats.
On top of being a fun day trip from Manchester, Alton Towers is a beautiful place to see. The estate is simply enormous and there is a castle that is part of English Heritage.
You will also find a lot of food and drinks options in the park so you don’t need to plan for anything, you can simply get something there.
Now that you know everything about the best day trips from Manchester, it’s time to go and explore. Also, don’t forget to check out other articles about places that are worth visiting near Manchester.
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