Northwest Coast, England Attractions

Ness Gardens is a learning facility with magnificent displays all year round. There is a wide selection of trees and shrubs, a heather garden, rock garden, shrubs and native plants.

This 215mi/325km cross-country trail runs from Southport on the west coast to Hornsea on the east coast. The trail uses disused railway lines, canal towpaths and riverbanks. It is currently being developed to accommodate cyclists and horseback riders and spurs are being extended to York, Leeds and Sheffield.

This annual festival takes place in mid-April.

This annual festival takes place in mid-December.

The Southport Film Festival takes place in late January.

The 12-14th century St Peter's Church has Saxon stonework, in the church yard a Viking gravestone from the 10th century, decorated with animal and human figures, has been preserved.

Cartmel Priory gatehouse is all that remains of a 12th century Augustinian priory. It served as a grammar school from 1624-1790 and is now being preserved by the National Trust.

Displays at the Lakeland Motor Museum span over 90 years of transportation heritage. There are over 150 vintage classic cars, motor-cycles, tractors, cycles, engines and collections of rare automobilia. Another attraction at the museum is the "Campbell Legend Bluebird Exhibition" which features the lives of Sir Malcolm and son Donald who captured 21 land and water speed records.

The Sellafield Visitors Centre features hands-on interactive scientific experiments, shows and displays of new technology that will delight and intrigue the whole family.

Solway Coast Discovery Centre features an art gallery, and historical exhibits highlighting the Romans, Vikings and the medieval monks.

Martin Mere is a conservation area which is home to hundreds of rare and exotic ducks, geese, swans and flamingos. There is a special 'Wetland Adventure' for children.

The National Football Museum features how the game was invented and how it has developed over the last 150 years.

Hornsea Freeport offers both leisure and retail facilities.

Set out upon the edge of the moor in Haworth is the parsonage of the Bronte family, founded in 1820 by Patrick Bronte. The school is best known for being home to Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, during the writing of 'Jane Eyre', 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Agnes Grey'.The parsonage in Haworth has been turned into a museum that gives a brief history of the Bronte family and includes a collection of Bronte work.

Holmfirth housed the first postcard museum in England.

The Stapeley Water Gardens is the world's largest water garden center (65 acres of ponds, pools and waterfalls). Attractions include the Palms Tropical Oasis, a 1.3 acre glass pavilion housing Koi carp, piranhas, parrots and fish from all over the world. It is also the location of the Stapeley Yesteryear Museum which is of interest to antique collectors.The complex is open every day, except for the museum which is open from Easter-September.

Bridgemere Garden World near Nantwich offers 25 acres of plants, gardens and greenhouses. It has won the Chelsea Gold Medal and is Europe's largest gardening center. It also features a large sale center where visitors can purchase gardening books, seeds, plants and tools. Open daily.

Appleby Castle with its 11th century Norman keep is set in a scenic spot by a riverside. It is home to a large collection of birds and rare farm animals.

This keep was built to replace a stronghold built during Roman times but destroyed by the Scots in 1174. It was restored by Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th C.

The Elsecar Workshops feature folk history and craft displays, a steam railroad trip along the Dearne and Dove canal, 'The Powerhouse' (interactive science displays), and the Newcomen Beam Engine.

The town of Barnsley is the site of Monk Bretton Priory which is an English Heritage property. Partial sweeps of broken arches and grime-stained blocks of red sandstone mark the peaceful ruin of the Cluniac monastery founded in 1153.

Huddersfield's highly-acclaimed 10-day festival takes place in mid to late November. The program includes operas, orchestral, choral, chamber and organ concerts, recitals, theatrical and dance performances, film screenings, fringe events, exhibitions, workshops and lectures.There are at least five performances scheduled for each day of the festival, focusing on new music, as well as contemporary, jazz, folk and ethnic pieces.The events take place in a number of venues, such as St Paul's Hall, Huddersfield Town Hall, the local art gallery and various churches and municipal buildings.

Marsden Moor Estate covers nearly 5,685 acres of common moorland; taking in the northern tip of the Peak District National Park, and surrounding the village of Marsden. It is wild, open country with archeological remains dating from pre-Roman times. The landscape also supports a large population of moorland birds such as the red grouse and golden plover.

At Arley Hall and Gardens you can stroll through 12 acres of magnificent, award-winning gardens. Among the gardens prized features are the double herbaceous border, herb and rose gardens, clipped ilex and woodland glade.