15 Amazing Places to Visit in North England – Is it Underrated?

What are the first places to visit in North England that come to your mind? Maybe it’s Manchester or Liverpool, but there are so many other great northern cities.

When I used to think about England, I always thought about the multicultural and unique city of London, and I believe for you too. 

London is one of the most cosmopolitan and cool cities in the world, however, England has other less explored places that are worth visiting.

I’ve been living in Northern England for nearly 5 years and there are many cities and towns that are special and charming. I sometimes believe that the north is a bit underrated and I’m sure that it’ll surprise you!

One of the best things is green spaces such as national parks, farms and city parks. 

Northern England, and especially Yorkshire, has beautiful hiking areas where you can see formations, lakes, hills, different types of flowers and sheep. It’s the perfect place if you love the countryside!

On top of this, many Yorkshire towns have a beautiful market town where you’ll find local products and handmade unique crafts.

When you think about the British coast, the north is not as well known as the south (Cornwall, Bournemouth, Brighton, etc.) 

However, if you visit the northeast of England, you can enjoy beautiful sandy beaches in Scarborough and Whitby or visit the incredible Holy Island in the Northumberland.

As you can guess, you can find a bit of everything!

So if you’re wondering what to do in Northern England, I’ve created this bucket list where you can find the best places in Northern England and what they are best for.

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15 Beautiful Places To Visit In North England

Leeds

Best for stunning parks, restaurants and shopping centres.

York

Best for history, culture and museums.

York is one of the most visited cities in Northern England, and you’ll realise why as soon as you arrive. It’s one of the most beautiful places in England!

The city is full of medieval history, culture and beautiful green spaces. Something that makes it unique is the fact that York is surrounded by walls where you can get incredible city views such as views of York Minster. 

If you love history, you can learn a lot about Medieval British history by visiting the JORVIK Viking Centre and York Dungeon. Also, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love the city too! 

It’s believed that some locations like the Shambles, a group of beautiful traditional shopping streets with timber-framed buildings, were the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films.

York is also a great base to explore other beautiful destinations as there are many incredible day trips you can do from York by car or public transport.

If you want to know more about this charming city, discover the best things to do in York.

📌 Related blog: 15+ Top Free Things To Do In York

Manchester

Best for street art and cool and quirky cafes.

Liverpool

Best for Beatles fans and dockside.

Liverpool is a city that you want to visit when it’s sunny because it makes your experience better! However, this isn’t always possible and Liverpool can be very windy too!

It’s a city that has different things to offer, but you definitely must visit the famous and lively dock area. People enjoy walking on the dock, having a meal in one of the restaurants, looking at the little shops or markets, etc.

It’s a paradise for Beatles fans! Everything is Beatles related and you can take a picture with the statues of these stars.

If you want a tour of the Beatles Story museum, book it here. 

Last but not least, explore the creative Liverpool’s street art in the Baltic Triangle district.

Harrogate

Best for tea and Turkish baths.

I’ve always described Harrogate as a posh little town located in North Yorkshire. This is a must destination if you love afternoon tea and relaxing experiences.

Start your visit with delicious tea and cakes from the famous Betty’s Café Tea Rooms. 

Then head to the Valley Gardens to enjoy walking around the gardens, looking at historical buildings or relaxing. 

From there, visit the Turkish baths and enjoy a massage! The decoration inside the baths is quite impressive, and it’s the perfect place to disconnect.

📌 Related blog post: 8 Great Things To Do In Harrogate In A Day

Halifax

Best for iconic buildings and green spaces.

📌 Related blog: 11 Best Things to Do in Halifax, England

Carlisle

Best for historical buildings.

Carlisle, located in the county of Cumbria, is the perfect city for those who love visiting museums and historical buildings.

Carlisle’s main attractions are Carlisle Castle and Carlisle Cathedral. This medieval castle is over 900 years old, and walking through the castle rooms gives you a sense of what life used to be there.

Carlisle Cathedral is truly a gem you can’t miss on your trip to Carlisle. The cathedral has one of the most impressive stained glass windows in England. Also, you can contemplate a unique blue ceiling decorated with stars and angels.

This northern city is also a perfect place to visit nearby destinations such as Lake District and Gretna Green, a hidden gem in the South of Scotland.

Chester

Best for medieval buildings.

White and black half-timbered facades, medieval walls and beautiful riverside. Chester is one of the best North West England cities. 

There are great things to do in Chester for all ages. From walking around the beautiful city walls and exploring Chester Castle to relaxing by the riverside and visiting the popular Chester Zoo.

It’s one of those places that raises your curiosity and you’d love to go back. 

Is Chester on your bucket list? Read more about these 10 must-see attractions in Chester.

Knaresborough

Best for relaxing along the river.

Saltaire

Best for independent shops and beautiful architecture.

At only 6 kilometres from Bradford, this tiny village is a hidden gem – its impressive architecture and friendly atmosphere will impress you.

Saltaire main attraction is Salts Mill, a former textile mill that has been transformed into a cultural and leisure place.

Inside Salts Mills, you’ll find an impressive art gallery, a great restaurant and cafe as well as a unique home shop.

Apart from this historic and cultural building, walking by the canal and visiting Roberts Park are two activities you need to include in your list. 

📌 Related blog: 8 Things To Do In Saltaire

Wakefield

Best for green spaces and farms.

Wakefield, located in West Yorkshire, is actually very close to Leeds, so you can visit both if you wanted to! What I love about Wakefield is that you can easily connect with nature.

There are lovely green spaces such as the Rhubarb farm, Pugneys Watersports Centre and Country Park and Lofthouse Park.

Apart from this, Wakefield is a great place if you like art and sculpture. The Hepworth Wakefield is an art gallery with beautiful exhibitions and it’s surrounded by a garden and the river. 

Also, you can’t miss Yorkshire Sculpture Park located 7 miles from Wakefield.

Whitby

Best for the seaside and fish and chips.

Here’s a summary of why you should visit Whitby:

• The beautiful Whitby Abbey.
• The views from the 199 steps (I must warn you that your legs will ache)
• The yummy fish and chips.

Newcastle

Best for nightlife and art lovers. 

The first thing that people think of is parties! And, yes Newcastle is very well-known for its nightlife. But if you’re like, who doesn’t like partying much, there are much more than clubs.

Newcastle is in northeast England and it’s home to the River Tyne. This vibrant city has many bridges where you can get different views of the river and the city.

It has a good variety of restaurants, free entry museums like the Discovery museum and great galleries like Ouseburn Valley too.

Last but not least, one of the best things to do near Newcastle is to visit Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 73 miles wall that crosses over East to West of northern England cutting through Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Cumbria.

Scarborough

Best for the seaside and amusement arcades.

The first time I visited Scarborough was in February, and it was windy and freezing cold. I learnt from that and I visited it again in May and it was a different experience.

It was a sunny day with a slight breeze and it was lovely walking around Scarborough Castle. Not only you can learn a bit more about this town, but you get amazing views of both sides of the coastline.

Also, if you’re looking for some entertainment, there’s so much to do! From theatres like Scarborough Open Air Theatre and museums to amusement arcades.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Best for hiking and beautiful landscapes.

The Yorkshire Dales is one of the gems of Yorkshire, from beautiful landscapes to impressive rock formations. There are over 15 different dales and all are worth visiting.

The first time I went to the Yorkshire Dales was four years ago and I was impressed by it. 

I visited Malham Cove that it’s actually one of the most visited places in this national park. Malham Cove is a 70m high rock with spectacular views from the top.

There are many steps to get to the top, but I’m telling you it’s so worth it! It isn’t the best place for you if you’re afraid of heights, but you can still see it downhill.

Apart from the stunning nature, you can’t miss the little towns across the Yorkshire Dales. 

Grassington is one of these little towns that are picturesque. I love the cobbled houses and the small market square offering lovely handmade crafts and gifts as well as local products. 

Yorkshire Dales is beautiful and you’ll love it, but if you want to enjoy a dry and sunny day, it’s better to visit it during the spring months from March to June!

Other National Parks you may want to check are Lake District and Peak District National Park.

The good thing about these destinations is that they are all accessible via public transport: coaches and trains. Having said so, you can find it a bit more difficult to travel to the Yorkshire Dales, but that’s it!

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As you can see, there are plenty of incredible, lesser-known and unique places to visit in the north of England that are worth adding to your bucket list.

If you’re travelling from outside the UK, you’ll need to know that the best times to travel to the UK are spring and summer. Although it still rains during these seasons, there are more chances for dry and sunny days plus you can enjoy longer days.

If you aren’t sure about what to pack, check these travel essentials for the UK.

Do you know any other places to visit in North England that should be on my list? Let me know in the comments.

Enjoy your trips!

Cristina xx

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Frequently asked questions about visiting Northern England

What is Northern England famous for?

Northern England is best known for its beautiful countryside that includes two of the UK’s best national parks – The Yorkshire Dales and The Lake District National Park.

Which city is most visited in Northern England?

York is the most visited city in Northern England. Its rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere make it a special place.

Which is better Chester or York?

Both medieval cities have different things to offer and are worth visiting. However, York’s architecture and the atmosphere are better than Chesters.

Is Whitby worth visiting?

Whitby is one of my favourite coastal towns in the north of England. The town is very picturesque and pretty. There are also many things to do in Whitby, including visiting the outstanding Whitby Abbey.

Helpful resources to plan your North England trip

• Check out bus and train fares with Omio.
• Look at free walking tours on GuruWalk.
• Book an activity with Get Your Guide. My go-to for tours and fun experiences around the world.