England - North West

The region is one of astonishing contrasts from the outstanding natural beauty of the Lake District to the vibrant, sporting cities of Liverpool and Manchester.  Not only famous for its football, the area is also home to the Aintree Racecourse and some of the country`s most challenging golf courses, such as Royal Lytham & St Annes and Royal Birkdale.   Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture in 2008, and for that reason alone is well worth a visit.

CUMBRIA & THE LAKE DISTRICT
Diverse countryside, rugged mountains, and magnificent glassy lakes make this area one of Britain`s most popular holiday destinations.   There is so much to explore in a variety of historic and exciting locations.  There are 16 beautiful lakes and 100 peaks where you can escape  into the wilderness.  At 10½ miles long, Windermere is the longest lake in England, and offers an array of watersports such as swimming, sailing and rowing.  Those who want to keep dry can take one of the cruises on the lake.  Among the other splendid  places to visit is  Dove Cottage by Grasmere, the house of William Wordsworth.  John Constable produced some 80 sketches and watercolours from his time in the Lakes, and many of these can be seen in an exhibition at the Wordsworth Museum & Art Gallery in the village.   Beatrix Potter wrote most of her stories in the area, working from the delightful 17th-century Hilltop House near Sawrey – and this was where Renée Zellweger  filmed the lead role for `Miss Potter`. Also notable are the majestic remains of the Cistercian Furrness Abbey, Castlerigg Stone Circle above Keswick,  the 70ft-drop waterfall of Aira Force, and the beautiful expanse of Ullswater.   A simple way to view much of the dramatic scenery is to take the famous Number 9 bus ride in Borrowdale.  Lesser know highlights include Ravenglass and its traditional steam railway,  Muncaster Castle with its owl centre and maze,  St Bees at the start of the popular coast-to-coast walk,  and the lovely town of Whitehaven. At Silloth there are miles of magnificent white sands,  and the Solway Coast is famed for its stunning sunsets. 

LANCASHIRE
Manchester, the Pennines, and the Lakes are all on Lancashire`s  doorstep.   Lancaster, the county town, displays some fine Georgian architecture as well as John O`Gaunt`s Castle and the Victorian Lancaster Cathedral.  From the elevated Williamson Park there are panoramic views of the Lakeland Fells and Morecambe Bay.   Blackpool, with its Tower, Pleasure Beach, and Zoo, has for long been the county`s favourite holiday destination, and a few boutique hotels hide away in this vibrant seaside resort.   Inland, the Forest of Bowland, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers a number of picturesque villages:  its dry-stone-dyke countryside is a great place for exploring on a foot or bike.  The highest point in the county is Gragareth, standing at 2,057 feet.  Pendle Hill, an isolated prominence near the Pennines is worth the climb. There are also a number fine houses, in  a variety of architectural styles – among them Astley Hall,  Clegg Hall, Gawthorpe Hall, Hoghton Tower, and Rufford Old Hall.  Traditionalist foodies may want to try Lancashire Hotpot in the county of its origin, Lancashire Cheese, famous for its toasting qualities,  Chorley cakes,  rag pudding, and the celebrated black puddings of Bury.

LIVERPOOL AND MERSEYSIDE
Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture for 2008 putting the place firmly on the musical and artistic map and reminding people that the city has much more to offer than football.  Lovers of the sport, however, will want to take a tour of the Liverpool FC football stadium at Anfield or have a look at Everton FC`s ground at Goodison Park. The city is also home to the great Aintree Racecourse and the annual Grand National – Britain`s biggest betting race.   The Albert Dock, resonant with the city`s centuries-old commercial history and offering a unique blend of culture (including Tate Liverpool) , cuisine, and shopping,  is the single most popular city attraction and qualifies as a World Heritage site.   Whilst locals are waiting for the giant Liverpool One Centre to be completed you can shop at the MetQuarter and check out a WAGs favourite boutique, Cricket and Flannels.  The city is, of course, also famous for the Beatles, and you can take the Magical Mystery Tour through Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.   And don’t leave the city without taking a ferry across the Mersey!  The quirky can always take the Yellow Duckmarine amphibious tour for a good laugh.  Southport, Merseyside is worth a visit and is fast become a chic desination whilst retaining it's coastal charm.

MANCHESTER
Now Britain`s second city and remarkable modern metropolis, Manchester gives us two of Britain`s best-known football teams, some of the best music of the last decade, and bags of urban culture.  There is a superb collection of British art at the Manchester Art Gallery as well as fine museums like the Science and Industry Museum, the Museum of Transport, the Manchester Jewish Museum, and The Pankhurst Centre.  The Godlee Observatory is one of the most interesting places in town, with its original Grubb telescope still in place.  Here you can enjoy magnificent views over the city.  For classical music, check out performances at Bridgewater Hall, the home of the Halle Orchestra since 1996.  Manchester Cathedral also has events throughout the summer.  Sporting fans can visit Manchester United’s Theatre of Dreams (take the tour if you can) as well as the nearby Lancashire County Cricket ground, Old Trafford.  Try too to visit the Quays, Manchester`s unique waterfront area, containing among other things, the Lowry theatre and gallery complex, the Imperial War Museum, and – for shopping - The Lowry Outlet Mall.

CHESTER & CHESHIRE
The Cheshire countryside is home to many of the footballers and other millionaires of Manchester and Liverpool, Knutsford being named in 2006 as the most expensive place to buy a house in the north of England.  The wooded area of Alderley Edge, its caves and sandstone scenery protected by the National Trust, has fine views over the Cheshire Plain.  The country also has a dense network of canals, dating back to the industrial revolution, and now mainly used for tourist traffic - the Cheshire Ring being formed from  a number of these, such as the Peak Forest and Bridgewater canals.  Places with literary associations include the village of Danesbury where Lewis Caroll was brought up, his father being vicar of the parish church.  The county’s most popular attraction is Chester itself, one of the best- preserved  walled cities in Britain - the walls offering a fine walking tour with excellent views over the city.  Tudor and Victorian buildings dominate the central area, and the  medieval Rows – a series of two-level galleried arcades – house some lovely little individual shops like City Gate, Liberty Bell, Toycraft, and Tessuti.   Other notable sites include the early-gothic Cathedral, the award-winning Grosvenor Museum, the magnificent  Victorian Town Hall, and the remains of the Roman amphitheatre - Chester having been founded as a Roman fort in 79 AD.   There is also a lovely riverside walk along the Dee at The Groves, and here you can hire a variety of different boats.  Among the county`s many stately homes are the Palladian Tabley House, closely associated with the painter Turner;  Tatton Park, recently voted the county`s most popular visitor attraction and boasting paintings by Canaletto and Van Dyck;  the beautiful Adlington Hall, dating back to the 14th century.;  the turreted red-brick Capesthorne Hall, built in the 18th century;  and the Victorian-Jacobean-style Arley Hall, set in 2,000 acres of parkland, woodland, and farmland.

THE ISLE OF MAN
Fly or ferry to this self governing island a few hours from the North West Coast.  A relaxing and peaceful place this island still has lots of attractions to offer, including numerous museums, gardens and art and craft centres.  The capital is Douglas which is also home to the islands main shopping areas.  Head to Strand Street to find The Strand and Tower House shopping centres and the Gaiety Theatre is a must for any theatre goers.