The North of England

In the southern and eastern areas of the region lie sprawling industrial heartlands, but these are surrounded by some of England’s most sparsely populated and, arguably, most beautiful, countryside. The Lake District is the best known of the English National Parks – but there are three more in the region as well: Northumberland, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.

The coastline is often spectacular, particularly in north Yorkshire and northern Northumberland, while the North Pennines is as wild as English countryside can get. All this contrasts starkly with the great industrial power-houses of south and west Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Tyne & Wear and east Lancashire. However, even in the cities, the unique character and heritage of the North Country shines through. This is also a region containing many reminders of England’s convoluted racial and religious heritage. The Romans left 1800-year-old Hadrian’s Wall to posterity, place names are often of ninth-century Viking origin, and the importance of the Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria to the development of Christianity in England is underlined at Durham City and on Holy Island.

Cheshire

Chester, the county town, is famous for being full of pretty black and white timber-framed buildings. The city dates from Roman times, as do parts of its otherwise Medieval city walls. Remains of a 7000-seat Roman amphitheater stand outside the centre, whose star attraction is The Rows, large double-deck buildings housing shops. The city has numerous notable timbered houses, including 17th-century God’s Providence House and Bishop Lloyd’s House. Chester Zoo is a major attraction, as is the unusual Cathedral with its detached bell-tower. The Deva Roman Experience recreates Roman life in Chester.

In the surrounding county, significant towns include Northwich, where the Salt Museum tells the story of Cheshire salt mining, and Nantwich, where visitors can descend into the Hack Green ‘Secret’ Nuclear Bunker. Nearby, Stapely Water Gardens is the world’s biggest attraction of its type. The scenery around Alderley Edge is noteworthy, while close to Macclesfield, Jodrell Bank Science Center and Observatory is a major visitor attraction. Quarry Bank Mill, at Wilmslow, is an important industrial heritage site, recreating the 18th-century textile industry of the area.

Lancashire

Lancaster is the main centre in this county – echoes of its Georgian heyday as a major port remain along the historic St George’s Quay, whose palladian-style Customs House is now home to the Lancaster Maritime Museum. The city centre architecture reflects the wealth of two centuries ago. Norman Lancaster Castle, owned by the Queen in her role as Duke of Lancaster, and still containing a working prison despite being open to visitors, stands beside the attractive Priory Church of St Mary on Castle Hill. The Ashton Memorial, a huge folly, dominates the skyline on the east of the city. Immediately west of Lancaster are traditional seaside resort attractions at Morecambe, while in the surrounding countryside, the beautiful Lune Valley has inspired artists and poets through the ages, including Turner and Wordsworth. Further inland, the Pendle Witches Trail takes visitors on the path of grisly 17th-century events. Blackpool, further down the Lancashire coast, is one of England’s biggest seaside resorts, famous for its Eiffel-like Tower, its trams and the Blackpool Pleasure Beach amusement park.