Where to go from Manchester?

Emma is always recommending Chester and Liverpool, but there's a reason. I spent 4 nights in Liverpool, with a daytrip to Manchester Chester, and had a great time. Liverpool naturally has Beatles sights, but there are things to see and do even if you're not interested in Beatles history. And while you're there, don't ignore Manchester itself. I had two nights there which I very much enjoyed. Part of the fun is that these cities are both cheaper than and different from London, so even though they're in the same country, they don't feel like duplication.

If you want details of my trip (one of my best), here's my report. You can just skip the Glasgow sections, unless of course that interests you as well: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/uk-trip-report-glasgow-manchester-liverpool-in-september-2016

Hi Sarah -

As a Yorkshireman I'm probably contractually bound to say, yes, get on that York train and head for either the Dales or the North Yorkshire Moors.

That said, if you wanted to go somewhere different this time, you could get a train to Windermere as easily from Manchester (more connections involved) and enjoy the delights of the Lake District. It may be pointed out that the Lakes get thoroughly booked up in summer and this is true, but as an alternative you could base yourself at the head of the Kent estuary in Arnside which also has a rail connection, although getting to the Lake District proper from there might be a tad problematical - some research into public transport connections would be sensible - our friends have had a 'pied a terre' at Arnside for years so generally when we visit we have a car.

If you don't mind driving you could probably hire a car in the vicinity. There's plenty to do in the area, lots of great pubs - the Albion in Arnside to name one - excellent coastal and fell walking - Arnside Knott or train to Grange over Sands and walk to Cartmel and back by way of Hampsthwaite Fell, or if they are happening, join a walk across the quicksands of Morecambe Bay (zip offs or shorts and sandals and change of footwear for this, you get wet as you have to wade the channels!) from Arnside to Grange with the Keeper of the Queens Sands, info from Tourist Offices, but don't try do the latter by yourself, it's dangerous!

If you can get accommodation in the Lakes (I'd suggest the Coniston/Eltermere/Langdale area for plenty of what you are after and as personal favourites, forget Keswick it will be rammed!) then in my opinion there's nowhere finer in England!

Hope I've given you some food for thought, but whatever you choose, have a great trip!

Ian

If you are using the train.
There's an offer on right now

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/jpress

I would go to Chatsworth House. It appears to be within your 90 minute drive from Manchester. You could rent a car for the day and return or keep going to next destination. There are excursion day trips that go there from Manchester. There might be a train that goes near enough that you can rent a car closer or take an Uber or bus. It is one of the most vivid memories of my trips to the UK. It has everything you are looking for with Architecture, Interior Design, Art and Fabulous Garden Walks. Food, too. I like Chester too, and have stayed there twice; but I still feel that Chatsworth is worth the time invested in going there. Bon voyage!

Chatsworth is not on a rail route!
www.nationalrail.co.uk

As you have been to Yorkshire, I would consider going west to Chester - well worth seeing. Then go on to Conwy or Llandudno in north Wales. (The first part of the rail route is not enticing along the N Wales coast). It is a little bit more than 90 minutes from Manchester but worth it in my opinion. Bodnant Gardens are we’ll worth a visit. Also consider taking the train up the Conwy valley and through the mountains to the old slate mining town of Bleanau Ffestiniog. From here, a narrow gauge steam railway goes to the coast at Porthmadog. www.festrail.co.uk
http://www.visitllandudno.org.uk

Wonderful replies everyone! This is the kind of advice I come to this forum for. We'll make our decision today after a little more research. Thanks again!

I would suggest Chester, beautiful city with a beautiful cathedral.

You might consider spending a day or more in Manchester itself as it's not so dull as it's reputation and does have a few interesting sights, especially for industrial heritage, plus the Whitworth and it has a good food scene. Then combine it with Liverpool which is great and well worth a couple of days. Chester is worth a couple of hours if you happen to be passing, but given this is only a short break I'd stick to Manchester, Liverpool and perhaps a day trip to the local countryside for taking some walks around, for example, Greenfield, which used to be Yorkshire and is in the Pennines.

1) Emma - I have no problem with your recommendations of Chester and Liverpool; they're definitely under-visited by US tourists (I was struck by how many of the visitors to Liverpool were from the UK and so few seemed to be from outside it). As I said, I had a great visit to these places. I'm always talking them up to my friends, who are often still cool to the idea - the only English city they seem interested in is London. Their loss.

2) I've edited my post, which originally contained a mistake. I spent 2 nights in Manchester and 4 nights in Liverpool, and from Liverpool I took a daytrip to Chester (not Manchester).

Here is a "hidden gem" I can highly recommend. We did a hiking trip in the Lake District 2 years ago with HF Holidays in their lakefront country home near Keswick. We really enjoyed the accommodations, the food, and the camaraderie of other guests (mostly British but not all). We did the guided hikes, but one can do unguided as well. They have availability for June 4-7.

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/self-guided-walking-derwentwater/

You would take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Penrith (just under 2 hours by direct train). They will pick you up at the station to take you to the house at Derwentwater Bank ( just outside Keswick). You must arrange this in advance.

Our room overlooked the lawn and the lake. It was really nice.

A note regarding your flight back to Stuttgart: Manchester Airport has a security requirement that any container used for liquids in the 3-1-1 bag must have the capacity (100 ml) printed on the bottle. Commercially packed (travel size) shampoos, etc. will meet this requirement, but if you fill your own small bottles like many of us do, they will not be allowed through unless the capacity is actually embossed or printed on the bottle.

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/guides-to-travelling/security/security-rules/

Mallorca, Mallorca, Mallorca.

However, haven't you just been to an all inclusive in Mallorca?

I'll strongly suggest Liverpool as well. I've been 5 times and still haven't run out of things to do. Even if I didn't like the Beatles or football, I'd still love the city. The city centre is compact and walkable, although inexpensive cabs or Uber is available for the longest distances, helpful during bad weather.

There are two cathedrals, both very different. There's the World Museum, which currently has a Terra Cotta warrior display, The Walker Art Gallery is also excellent, and if you like modern art, there's Tate Liverpool. There's also the Mersey Maritime museum as well as the Museum of Liverpool. I haven't been to the slavery museum, but if that's something that interests you, that's yet another option.

Dale street has a lot of excellent real ale pubs.

And, of course, if you do have an interest in the Beatles or football, there's plenty of Beatles tours, a Beatles museum, and tours of the two football stadiums.

Lake District! It's just north of there and very easy to get to via public transport. You can easily spend many days exploring. Good bus service goes all over the area or you can rent a car. Lots of great pubs in cute little villages tucked between the hills. We like hiking from town to town and stopping for a pint, tea, lunch, etc. It looks like what you want rural England to look like! Lively farm culture mainly focused around the Herdwick breed of sheep. When you hike in the area they poke their heads out of the tall ferns and watch you walk by...they are absolutely adorable!