The best: Day trips from Manchester ft. Blackpool, Windermere, Liverpool and more

There’s a reason why Blackpool has long been one of the most loved – and visited – seaside towns in the UK. With its iconic tower and expansive promenade, this popular holiday spot has welcomed countless visitors over the years, with partiers tempted by its many seafront bars and thrill-seekers attracted to the high-octane rollercoasters at The Pleasure Beach.

At just over an hour’s drive from Manchester City Centre, Blackpool is a day-trip option that offers something for the whole family. There’s Blackpool Zoo, the Sea Life Centre and Madame Tussauds; quaint fairground rides and candy floss on its multiple piers and even an array of shops for those looking for a little retail therapy. On top of all that, there’s the beach – which is perfect for exploring on a lazy summer afternoon.

A trip from Manchester City Centre to Windermere will take you just under two hours – and when you arrive, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding things to do. Of course, there’s the town itself – famed for the huge lake that gives the area its name and packed full of stone-brick pubs, cafes, restaurants and local attractions like The World of Beatrix Potter – a mini-museum celebrating the life and work of one of the area’s most famous literary residents.

Venture out of town and you’ll find any number of country walks to suit a range of experience levels. The nearby Grizedale Forest Park houses many such strolls – and even comes complete with an array of sculptures hidden amongst its trees and trails, and a Go Ape zip-wire adventure park for adrenaline junkies. Cycling routes, historical sights and – rather unsurprisingly – a huge number of lakes, make this one of the most popular choices for a varied day trip from Manchester.

As one of our closest cultural neighbours, Liverpool is literally packed with activities that’ll make for a memorable day out of Manchester. Just over an hour’s drive away from our City Centre, the home of The Beatles is also home to a wide array of museums and shops and one of the most vibrant cultural quarters outside of Oldham Street.

Let’s be honest – you could spend an entire day in Liverpool embarking on a Fab Four heritage tour, visiting key spots from George, John, Paul and Ringo’s legendary lives and careers – like the iconic Cavern Club and famous Strawberry Fields. However those looking for something a little different can get a heady dose of modern art at The Tate before dropping by some of the city’s coolest alternative shops and pop-up food spots at the super cool Baltic Triangle.

Just under two hours away from Manchester, Snowdonia National Park is a beautiful rural escape from the often-hectic pressures of city living. Visit this popular spot and you’ll find a range of outdoor activities that are perfect for post-lockdown life. If you fancy trying to conquer Snowdon, you’ll find six different walking routes of various difficulty that’ll take you to its summit. If you’re an avid cyclist, you’ll be pleased to discover there are an array of cycling routes scattered across the park – and if fishing is your thing, you can do that too at a variety of spots across the Llŷn Peninsula and the Irish Sea coast.

Water sports like surfing and paddle boarding, golf excursions, heritage and historical places of interest and restaurants serving up award-winning food are also available in this picturesque location – making a trip to Snowdonia National Park one of the most exciting and activity-filled choices for an impromptu day trip escape.