7 places to visit in Northern England

Are you on the lookout for the best places to visit in Northern England? Or wanting a day out in North England? Then I’ve got you covered.

England is a magical place, and I don’t mean the Harry Potter kind of magic. The wondrous nature of the country doesn’t completely lie on the banks of the Thames.

London is the best place in England for first-time visitors, don’t get me wrong, but it shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all.

England is England; there are plenty of places up north; it isn’t just London.

Places to visit in Northern England

Here are some reasons why the North, the whingey, underappreciated, and unofficial part of England, is where you should plan your next trip to England.

Whether that’s a day out in North England or a weekend break in one of North England’s cities.

Why travel to Northern England?

There are many towns, cities, and villages that are very welcoming to tourists throughout the UK. Northern England may be the most underappreciated part of the UK for many reasons.

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands receive thousands of tourists every year, as do Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway.

Wales receives thousands of visitors for the spectacular mountains, walking paths, and outstanding natural beauty. Many tourists from other countries visit the south of England due to the nature of the country.

Why would a visitor venture outward from London to as far as the north?

If we look at the top 15 most visited tourist attractions in England in 2019, only one was in the north. 14 of the 15 on the list were either in London or a short train journey away from London.

However, if you have a look at the 9 most visited cities in England, 3 are in the north, 3 are in the south and 3 are in the Midlands. Out of the 5 most visited national parks, 3 are in the north and 2 are in the south.

All in all, England has 84% of the UK’s population, as well as 17 of the 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The trouble is, they’re scattered across the country.

Chances are, you’ll find a lot of the more popular attractions in London, but this is only because it’s the easiest port of call.

What’s the solution to this? How can someone venture outside the London bubble and explore great quality attractions, landmarks, and visitor centres at a cheaper rate with fewer queues?

The north, of course!

1. Manchester

The arguable powerhouse of the north, it’s often pictured alongside the Midlands city, Birmingham, as the heir to London’s capital throne.

Thousands of people champion Manchester as their home, so what makes it different or interesting?

There are many things that make Manchester unique, including its proud LGBT and women’s rights culture and heritage. The leader of the Suffragette movement, Emmeline Pankhurst, was from Manchester.

It’s also famous for being the music hub of the country, with acts, labels, and stars coming from this humble Victorian city with cobbled streets.

The fact is, this Northern city has everything you’d want from a city. On this two-day hop-on and hop-off bus tour, you’ll understand why the citizens are proud to be Mancunian, and it’s infectious when you walk the streets and talk to the locals.

First-class museums and galleries, award-winning gastronomy, world-famous football clubs, top nightlife, and the best shopping opportunities around. Manchester is a city, and Manchester is united. Surely, this has to make it one of the best places to visit in Northern England.

2. Liverpool

Just a 30 mile drive from Manchester, it’s easy to consider grouping the two cities together into one trip to the north. This gives you the chance to explore two Northern English cities in one journey.

Liverpool may seem like a very similar city to Manchester from the outside, but trust me when I say the rivalry between these two cities stems further than from a mere football rivalry.

Historically, it was Manchester cotton factories that supplied the shipments that went in and out of Liverpool, which was for years a port city and nothing more. Both cities grew in infrastructure during the Victorian era and the industrial revolution.

Just like Manchester, Liverpool has two football clubs in the Premier League and an accent unique to the city.

Also, like Manchester, Liverpool has a bustling music scene. It’s difficult to talk about Liverpool without mentioning their biggest world export: The Beatles.

You can explore Liverpool with an open-top bus tour that will bring you to the city’s most popular areas as well as The Beatles’ historical, iconic spots.

However, there are some aspects to the city that contrast with Manchester. The symbol of the city, the Liver bird, can be seen everywhere, from the buildings to the statues.

Also, the 2008 Capital of Culture has seen a massive revamp in the shopping centres and housing. It’s the perfect blend of modern and traditional.

3. Leeds

The largest city in the county of West Yorkshire and the fourth-largest urban economy in the UK, Leeds is another significant contributor during the Industrial Revolution and should be on your list of places to visit in North England.

There are many things that make Leeds unique, but many visitors to England pass this city by. I bet you’ve never heard of Kirkstall Abbey or the Tetley.

The fact is, this city is seen by many in England to be nothing more than a student city with progressive values and a working-class background.

But it is so much more than the labels the English may give it. Leeds also has a rich beer heritage, and this heritage pub and beer tour will teach so many things about the history of beer, pubs and sites in the city.

So much has been invested in the arts, culture, and tourism aspects of the city to appeal more to visitors coming up to the north of England and convincing them of the fruits they can provide.

For example, the Leeds museum is better than any museum in Manchester or Liverpool, but it doesn’t receive the appreciation it deserves. Since 2008, the museum has held natural history exhibitions, Hellenic and Roman exhibits, and all manner of artworks.

The highlight of the museum is definitely the Leeds Mummy. It’s the sarcophagus of the Karnak priest known as Nesyamun, which dates back all the way to 1,100 B.C.

4. Sheffield

Smack bang in the middle of England. Nestled between the beautiful Peak District and historic Rotherham. The Peak District is one of the best national parks in the country, so this is the perfect city to travel to as your starting point when visiting the north of England.

Sheffield is the steelworks of the Commonwealth and the home of the oldest football teams in Britain. You can’t beat old Blighty, and you can’t beat the rugged Sheffield the locals all know and love.

However, did you know that Sheffield even existed? Probably not, if you haven’t ventured up north. Sheffield itself has many park and woodland areas, which may come as a surprise to native Limeys.

Another surprise is that Sheffield is a proud footballing city that loves its art. Kelham Island Museums, the Millennium Gallery, and the Yorkshire Artspace are just scratching the artsy surface of this historic working-class city with proud citizens.

5. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

So you’ve seen and heard the Scousers in Liverpool, you’ve experienced the accent in Manchester, and you’ve dabbled in the Yorkshire way of life. There’s one part of north England we’re missing: the Geordies.

When talking true north England cities, none of the ‘hour train to the Midlands’ nonsense like Liverpool or Manchester, then we have to talk Newcastle.

This city has many historical highlights, and this guided walking tour does an impressive job of showcasing this city, which is influenced by the Romans.

Not to be confused with Newcastle-under-Lyme or the Newcastle in Australia, Newcastle in Tyneside is one of the most overlooked spots in the UK for tourism.

The Geordies are the most fun-loving and affectionate English groups you’ll ever find, and you can experience Newcastle as it should be experienced: in person!

From the iconic Angel of the North statue to the Grainger Town Markets to the Laing Gallery holding some of the best artworks in the country. Newcastle has a lot to offer for any venturing tourist looking for something different.

6. Chester

Thousands of tourists from all corners of the globe visit Chester every year. Why? Because it’s the safest historic city in Chester, with the gold standard of monument preservation.

You can practically walk around in the same buildings, baths, amphitheatres, and market streets as the Romans did.

There are parks with artefacts, shops inside historic buildings, and even a mysterious Roman lion sculpture atop a car park.

The Romans held this North English city as one of their major outposts, which many visitors love to hear when they arrive. The Amphitheatre in the middle of the city was historically the largest outside of Rome when it was built.

There are sections of the city that cannot be accessed without having access through the walls of the city.

That’s right! Chester is a walled city, which dates back to the Romans in AD 80. Discover everything about Chester – city cruise on River Dee and see beautiful views of the city and surrounding countryside.

If you’re into your history, look no further. Also, this is the perfect opportunity to discover the rolling hills of North Wales, or even catch a ferry to Ireland.

7. York

The former English capital has a lot of history on its hands. Out of the 15 most visited tourist attractions in England, the only one that was in the north of England was York Minster.

One of the most iconic and beautiful cathedrals in the UK and beyond, York Minster is steeped in history and tradition dating back over a thousand years. This is just one of the many must-visit spots in York.

Access more than meets the eye with York City Pass – a convenient pass that you can use when sightseeing attractions in York.

Ever wondered what it would be like to walk through a city that’s so powerful in its heritage and culture it feels like you’re literally walking through Diagon Alley from Harry Potter?

Well, you are! The Shambles in York is the iconic former meat market street that was used as inspiration for the fictional street in the Harry Potter series.

The buildings are listed and lean so close to one another that the average human wingspan can touch both sides of the street in some areas.

The most historic cities in England, Bath, London or Chester, have some claim as the most historic city in England. But some say that York takes the biscuit.

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Places to visit in Northern England

The north of England is undeniably the most underrated tourist spot in the UK. Whether you’re looking for days out in north England, attractions, or a north England city break.

It’s an area that’s easy to move around in, and it’s easily one of the most universal holidaying spots in the world.

It has all things for all people and shows the true meaning of what it is to be English. Forget your Harry Potter or Game of Thrones; the north of England is the real deal.

Take a look at the North of England for yourself and plan your trip today! If you’re feeling brave enough, why not go beyond the beaten track and take a trip to Scotland for another round of idyllic settings?