10 cheap days out in North England

1. Kingmoor Nature Reserve, Carlisle

Nearest station: Carlisle

A short trip from Carlisle city centre, Kingmoor Nature Reserve is a 44-acre woodland park with an old horse race course that makes a beautiful scenic walk now as well as an old power depot nestled deep in the overgrown vegetation. A protected now, the area is biodiverse and filled with picturesque natural greenery.

The nature reserve is the perfect break away from the hustle and bustle of city life and a great option for a fun family day out when the skies are clear. Take your family somewhere for cheap with Northern and our family tickets.

Visit Kingmoor Reserve

2. Baltic Art, Newcastle

Nearest station: Manors

Baltic Art in Newcastle is a gallery that offers visitors the chance to see the latest and greatest in art from local to national artists. Enjoy a hot beverage and some sliced fruit when entering and enjoy the installation they have on show.

The shop within the centre offers crafts like necklaces and pottery, all made by local artists who are working to hone their craft for your enjoyment. Supporting indie artists has never been easier, and travelling to Baltic Art with your friends just got a whole lot easier with Northern’s group tickets.

Visit Baltic Art

3. National Railway Museum, York

Nearest station: York

A favourite of ours, the National Railway Museum in York hosts a range of exciting and informative exhibits within its walls. With limited-time exhibitions, even if you’ve been before, there’s always something new to learn about.

The museum is also home to a VR experience, which is sure to wow even the most reluctant of participants. The National Railway Museum is the perfect destination for any trainspotter you know.

Grab your favourite train enthusiast and head along to the National Railway Museum with a duo ticket from Northern, who knows, maybe you’ll find something in the gift shop to take back with you.

Visit the National Railway Museum

4. Dolphin Centre, Darlington

Nearest station: Darlington

Another great family day out, the Dolphin Centre is an activity centre that offers everything from swimming to bowling all under one roof, with most one-off activities costing less than £10 to get involved in.

The centre also includes a soft-play area along with football, so the littlest ones and older kids will be satisfied with a trip to the Dolphin Centre. Get there with Northern and travel easier and cheaper on a family ticket, making your busy life simpler.

Visit the Dolphin Centre

5. Scalebar Force Waterfall, Skipton

Nearest station: Settle

Located close to Settle and just within the Yorkshire Dales, the Scalebar Force Waterfall offers a great walk through some classic English woods finishing at the sublimely beautiful 40-foot waterfall.

Although the walk to the waterfall is short, you’ll need sure feet to walk along the steep path. The payoff is a great freshwater paddling pool at the bottom of the waterfall, perfect for any young kids on a hot summer day.

With our Rangers and Rovers tickets, you can travel all across the North of England cheaper and easier than before.

Visit Scalebar Force Waterfall

6. National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port

Nearest station: Ellesmere Port

Located on 7-acres of land, the National Waterways Museum is home to an extensive collection of mechanisms and canals that show how the country manipulated the rivers and creeks to benefit the people.

There are also a range of limited-time events happening year round and boat trips available up and down the canal. It may not be your first thought for a fun day out, but the museum promises to inform and delight you with its range of activities. Head along with Northern and get cheaper travel with an advance ticket so you can fully plan your next day out.

Visit the National Waterways Museum

7. Clitheroe Castle Museum, Clitheroe

Nearest station: Clitheroe

Gazing out onto the Ribble Valley, Clitheroe Castle sits atop the town of Clitheroe, overlooking the town for 800 years. The museum delves deep into the importance of the castle, what life was like back when the town created, and how the landscape that we look over today was formed 350 million years ago.

Tickets are only £5 for adults, and children can go free, so if you find yourself in Clitheroe or on a day with little to do, then the castle museum is a fantastic spot to end up in.

Get spontaneous with Northern and get a same-day ticket available for up to 5 minutes before departure. Set your own schedule.

Visit Clitheroe Castle

8. Macclesfield Silk Museum, Macclesfield

Nearest station: Macclesfield

There’s no finer texture in the world than that of silk. Often seen as a sign of wealth and beauty, Macclesfield had produced this rare commodity for over 300 years before the closure of its factory in 1981. Despite this, the silk produced here is still world-renowned and the museum hosts over 1,000 volumes of the silk in its shelves. 

The museum will take you all the way through the history of silk, from Ancient Egypt, all the way through to the modern era. Hosted in a restored silk mill, the mill still works and gives you the chance to observe the intricate process that produces the fine textile. Book an anytime ticket  with Northern, and head along to one of England’s most enjoyable museums.

Visit the Silk Museum

9. Hanley Park and Garden, Stoke-on-Trent

Nearest station: Stoke-on-Trent 

Hanley Park and Garden offers so much choice in the one park you’ll be able to come back again and again. With the usual green spaces available, the park also has sports zones for cricket, basketball, football, hockey and tennis.

The park is also home to a restored bandstand, a fishing area, a sensory play area, and a range of public art sculptures. Having gone under a £60 million refurbishment recently, the park is ready to accept all visitors as it is also accessible for everyone. Head over to Hanley Park with a Northern same-day ticket to keep your schedule open.

Visit Hanley Park and Garden

10. Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, Middlesborough

Nearest station: Middlesborough

The Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) is home to an eccentric collection of some of the most fascinating pieces of art made this century.

Learn from a range of activities available to book, suitable for youngsters through to the elderly. Observe MIMA’s collection of art sourced from artists that are both local and far-reaching, creating a smorgasbord of visual treats for your eyes. The shop also offers a host of local crafts as well as MIMA specific merchandise so you can support the artists. Grab a duo ticket with Northern and enjoy the intimacy of art at MIMA.

Visit MIMA