Just one special day out with friends or family is enough to make memories for a lifetime. Of course, when you’ve taken a day off from your busy schedule, you don’t want an ordinary experience. You want something truly unique.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of original days out in the North West and North East of England. From Cumbria to North Yorkshire, there’s something fun here for everyone.
Port Sunlight – Merseyside
Let’s start big with the village of Port Sunlight, which offers one of the most unusual North West days out you’ll find!
Located near Liverpool, Port Sunlight is a Designated Conservation Area that’s full of Grade II listed buildings. It was originally built by the Lever Brothers soap manufacturers, who named it after their Sunlight soap.
Port Sunlight was intended to be an ideal and beautiful village for the Lever Brothers’ employees. That’s why one of its attractions is its architecture, which is notable for its connections to the Arts and Crafts movement.
A key attraction in Port Sunlight is the Port Sunlight Museum, which explores the history of the village, including its surprising links to the Beatles. Next to the museum is an Edwardian Worker’s Cottage, which gives you an insight into a worker’s daily life.
Another important location in the village is the Lady Lever Art Gallery, which contains impressive collections of works such as pre-Raphaelite paintings. Unlike the museum and worker’s cottage, this attraction is free!
There’s more to see, too! The entire village is lovely to walk through, containing more than 130 acres of greenery. One notable park in the village is called the Dell, and it’s definitely worth seeing.
Go Ape Grizedale Forest – Cumbria
If you’re looking for a North West day out that includes more activity than gentle strolls, maybe Go Ape Grizedale Forest in Cumbria is for you!
This attraction is a haven for adrenaline junkies and sports enthusiasts. There are three main activities:
- The Treetop Challenge, a ropes course with zip lines.
- Zip Trekking Adventure, a session of tandem zip-wiring through the forest
- Treetop Adventure, a gentler rope and zip line activity for kids ages 4-10.
However, that’s not all. In addition to these formal activities, you can also walk, hike and bike within the forest. Fascinatingly, in Grizedale Forest, you’ll also find a host of sculptures – all the more reason to go hiking before or after you go up into the trees.
Monk Park Farm, North Yorkshire
What if you’re looking for days out in the North East for families?
Monk Park Farm is the perfect destination for you.
Although the attraction is called a farm, it’s really so much more. There’s enough to see and do here to tire out even the most energetic of kids!
To start with, there is a petting barn where children can get to know a range of animals, including lambs, piglets, baby llamas and more – depending on the time of year. Sometimes young visitors can even bottle-feed the baby animals. If you take a stroll around the park’s Woodland Walk, you might also encounter adult animals.
Children can also enjoy several rides, ranging from the Monk Park Express child-friendly train to a barrel ride pulled by a tractor. They can also bounce on an air bouncer, have fun with a summertime foam party, or simply play around on outdoor play areas.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also pig racing!
The Ford and Etal Estates, Northumberland
If North East days out for adults are more your thing, consider visiting the Ford and Etal Estates in Northumberland. There are still activities that under-18s can enjoy, though. In fact, the Ford and Etal Estates have so much going on that practically anyone could find something to amuse them!
The estates include a ruined castle, a light railway, a brewery, a heavy horse centre, a corn mill, a nature reserve and colliery, and a beautifully painted schoolroom. You’ll get to choose whether you’d like to take a scenic railway ride, visit the cornmill to see how it works, or tour the brewery – to name but a few options.
There’s also more to do outdoors. You can go riding or canoeing, go fishing or birdwatching, or even try alpaca trekking – including feeding the alpaca and leading on a walk using a harness.
Of course, as with many outdoor spots, you can also simply walk or cycle.
A note on the seasons
Of course, not all attractions are available year-round. Attractions with animals will change based on the seasons, and some tourist sites will close at times, so check your destination’s website before you head out.
On the flip side, you may find that there are special events going on for holidays like Halloween and Christmas! For example, Monk Park Farm has a fantastic Christmas event.
Find a unique holiday home for your unique North West or North East days out
At the end of a truly special day out, you’ll want to head home to an equally special lodging. And if you’ve brought a group of friends and family with you to make memories, renting a holiday house together is a great choice because it lets you continue bonding together into the evening.
That’s why kate & tom’s holiday homes are perfect for days out in the North West and North East, including in County Durham and Lancashire. Our holiday cottages and houses are luxurious, indulgent and special – each one stands out from the crowd in its own way. And they’re large enough to accommodate big groups, so you can wind down together in the swimming pool, hot tub or cinema room.
Whether you’re seeking a unique and memorable family celebration, hen party, or team-building day, we’ve got the perfect holiday home for you. To get started, just reach out to us at [email protected].
