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Are you planning a day trip and looking for the best places to visit near Manchester? You’ve come to the right place!
Manchester’s prime location in North West England makes it an excellent starting point to explore the area.
We have so many things around Manchester including beaches, castles, waterfalls and loads of landmarks.
In this article, we tell you everything about the best places to visit near Manchester. This includes a selection of spots that would be great for a day out but also closer spots for a half-day or an afternoon.
So, are you ready? Let’s get started.
Tatton Park
Located only 40 minutes drive from Manchester City Centre, in Knutsford, Tatton Park is one of the most beautiful National Trust properties in North West England.
This stunning estate has a beautiful garden, a mansion, a working farm and a deer park which makes it perfect for families.
You can easily get there by car. There is a large carpark (with a fee). You do not need to be a National Trust member to visit the deer park but if you are, you can also see the mansion and gardens for free.
The farm is a great thing to check out, especially if you are visiting with children. They have all sorts of animals and you can see how cows are milked and many other things.
The mansion is also pretty extraordinary. It was built in the 18th century by the Egerton family and features a collection of over 14,000 items.
While the state appartements are of course beautiful, you will also be impressed by the servants quarters.
The gardens are 50 acres and are home to many kind of plants and glasshouses. The true highlight is the Japanese Garden.
Finally, make sure to go for a walk in the deer park. They are set on 1,000 acres so there are many walking opportunities.
Ramsbottom
If you’re looking for a cute village to visit near Manchester, Ramsbottom is the perfect spot.
It’s only 30 minutes from the city centre and definitely one of the cutest places in Greater Manchester.
Ramsbottom was once an manufacturing town (cotton industry) but it has now become a beautiful market town with lots of independent cafes and shops.
The main attraction in Ramsbottom is the East Lancashire steam railway, which runs from Heywood to Rawtenstall via Bury and Ramsbottom.
You can hop on a steam train ride for an hour or two or even make a full day out of it and visit the 7 towns and villages in which the train stops.
Another great thing to do in Manchester if you like outdoor activities is to go to Peel Tower in Hillcombe.
It’s a fairly easy walk and once you get to the top, you’ll discover amazing views of Manchester.
Beeston Castle
Beeston Castle is a great day out for history lovers.
It is located in Cheshire, only an hour drive from Manchester.
It was built in the 13th century by Ranulf, the Earl of Chester and was seized shortly after by Henry III.
During the Civil War, it went through a very long siege before being surrendered to the Royalists and partly dismantled.
It is now looked after by English Heritage which means that if you are a member, you can visit it for free.
The grounds of the castle is a great place for a walk and once you get to the top, you will discover amazing views of Cheshire.
On a nice and sunny day, you can see as far as Wales!
The castle is also surrounded by woodland, making it a great place to go on a forest walk.
Chester
Chester is one of England’s most historic cities, and a great place to visit for a day out.
Located just an hour away by car or train from Manchester, it originally settled by the Romans in the 1st century and then became a Norman settlement in 1066 during which William I built the Chester Castle.
Today, Chester is famous for many things including having the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain.
In terms of things to do, there is plenty of choice.
The best places to visit in Chester are the Chester Rows (medieval two-storey galleries full of shops and restaurants). The city walls – you can walk all around them for free!
The Eastgate tower is also a must-see as well as a cool Instagram spot.
FUN FACT: It’s actually the most photographed clock in England after Big Ben in London.
And lastly, don’t miss the famous Chester Cathedral which is free to explore.
If you want to make the best of your time, we highly recommend signing up for the free walking tour or take a cruise on the river Dee.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a port city located about an hour away from Manchester, easily accessible by car or train.
There are direct trains from Manchester Victoria which will get you to Lime Street station in Liverpool in less than 40 minutes.
Liverpool is famous for the Beatles, but also for its fantastic historical sights such as the Albert Docks which was once one of the most important ports in England and has now been turned into a bustling waterfront area full of trendy bars and restaurants.
Liverpool was also a very important city during the Industrial Revolution (like Manchester) and was where they first announced the news about the Titanic sinking.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Liverpool, we recommend taking the free walking tour.
It lasts 2 to 3 hours and is amazing.
But there are also a lot of other things you can do in Liverpool.
If you are a Beatles fan, head to the Cavern Club on Matthew Street and the Beatles Story.
Also make sure to check out the fabulous museums such as the World Museum, Liverpool Museum, Tate or the Maritime Museum. They are all free!
Finally, head to Liverpool One for some shopping, Albert Docks for a stroll and a coffee and Liverpool Cathedral for some architecture.
York
York is the perfect destination if you are looking for a beautiful city near Manchester to visit.
It is located about 1 h 45 minutes drive away but again you can get there by train from Manchester Victoria and it only takes 75 minutes.
The city was founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago and was then taken by the Saxons and the Vikings.
So as you can expect, there is a lot of history there!
There are many things you can do in York, including walking on the city walls, go on a cruise on the river Ouse but also visit the Dungeon.
It’s also important to note that while York was not used as a filming location for Harry Potter, it has some serious Hogwarts vibes!
The most famous street in York is called the Shambles. It’s a medieval street and as cute as it ever gets.
It’s full of potion and souvenir shops, making it a great place to explore.
PRO TIP: If you are a Harry Potter fan, make sure to join the Harry Potter tour of York. It’s a lot of fun!
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