Liverpool

Have an adventure at Knowsley Safari this summer! Kick off the day with a tour of the 550 acre Safari Drive and get acquainted with over 700 wild animals, from baboons to camels, wildebeest to lions, all from the comfort of your car. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/knowsley-safari-p302891

Chester Zoo is home to over 21,000 endangered and exotic animals based in beautiful, award-winning gardens and is the nearest large zoo to Manchester. With over 500 different animal species in their 125 acres, visitors are sure to have an adventure discovering and learning about the amazing wildlife. Conservation and education are at the heart of everything at Chester Zoo. They are committed to providing the highest standards of care for their animals, as well as protecting native and international wildlife. Their team of expert and knowledgeable staff work hard to prevent extinction and are passionate about connecting visitors to the natural world. Chester Zoo has a variety of tours and hands-on experiences, as well as daily animal talks to guarantee a day full of animal adventure. Stop for a snack at one of their many restaurants - including their recently refurbished contemporary British pub The Oakfield - cafes and kiosks located throughout the zoo or let the kids run wild in one of the adventure play areas. It's a huge zoo, but there are plenty of options for getting around including the Zoofari Monorail and the Lazy River Boat Trip on Islands. Don’t forget to stop in at the gift shop on your way out for a souvenir of your trip. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/gateway-to-the-north/explore-the-north/chester-zoo-p300891

A house filled with treasures and stories, an ancient deer park and a garden for all seasons. Dunham's Lost Years: a Victorian Tale of Love and Abandonment. See the House transformed to revisit its Victorian past. Meet the 7th Earl and his new wife, skilled circus performer Catharine Cox. See their story of love, status and scandal played out throughout the House and discover how they altered the course of Dunham's history forever. The plantsman's garden, one of the finest in the North West, is a tranquil oasis with something to delight in all seasons. The herd of fallow deer wander amongst the tree-lined avenues in the ancient Deer Park. The Park is also home to the fully restored 400-year-old working sawmill powered by overshot water. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/dunham-massey-hall-p85391

Britain’s favourite amusement park! There’s something for everyone at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with thrilling rides and spectacular shows you’ll be sure to have the time of your life! For the ultimate in thrills why not brave Pleasure Beach’s tallest rollercoaster, the Big One. Hold your breath as you board Infusion, the exhilarating five looping coaster suspended completely over water. Brave Valhalla, the world’s most spectacular dark ride featuring amazing special effects or experience the thrill of one of the world’s only twin track coasters, the Grand National plus lots, lots more. https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/blackpool-pleasure-beach-5886/

South Pier is a fantastic day out for those of all ages. The Laughing Donkey family bar host great free live entertainment as well as a beer garden with the best views in town. https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/south-pier-5901/

Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve, home to hundreds of species of wildlife, is nationally recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, not bad considering it was once a part of the town’s rubbish tip! http://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/marton-mere-local-nature-reserve-43270/

Blackpool's award-winning attraction the Blackpool Model Village & Gardens, established in 1972, has been inspiring the imaginations of families for decades. There are 100's of creative village scenes that will spark your imagination to life as you wander around their beautiful gardens, along the walkways. Follow the quiz and don't miss any of them. Marvel at the many handcrafted models and figures that represent life's rich tapestry and step back in time to those bygone days when life seemed to move at a slower pace, from a Scottish Castle, protected by its ranks of Guardsmen to a tranquil Cornish fishing village. From thatched cottages hidden away and a Tudor village whos, diminutive residents enjoy a cricket match on the village green. Many new buildings are added yearly along with a working train running through the shopping centre of the main village another in front of the shambles′ and a model railway featuring Thomas Annie & Clarabel! https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/blackpool-model-village-gardens-5884/

At SEA LIFE Manchester, get up close to thousands of creatures including majestic sharks, enchanting jellyfish plus Ernie & Cammy – the magnificent green sea turtles! Take a fascinating journey from the coast to the ocean depths through the themed zones and don’t miss the chance to soak up the amazing view from the sea bed in the ocean tunnel! Find out how it feels to touch a starfish, cleaner shrimp and other creatures living in the interactive rockpool experience, then descend 600 metres below sea level and find the giant Japanese spider crab lurking in the deep. Measuring over 3 metres claw to claw, these amazing creatures are not to be missed! With fun talks, animal feeds, special events all year round and behind the scenes tours, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy at SEA LIFE Manchester. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/sea-life-manchester-p263421

Madame Tussauds Blackpool offers a celebrity experience unlike any other. Mixing the best of British with international stars, there really is something for everyone. Take to the floor and meet the stars of Strictly! Tess and Claudia join judge Craig Revel Horwood in the Brand New Strictly Come Dancing experience only at Madame Tussauds Blackpool! Fans will meet the new Tess and Claudia wax figures and enjoy three new areas of fun, where activities include lifting a replica of the famous glitterball trophy, busting a move on a Strictly inspired dancefloor and even raising a scoring paddle from behind a re-creation of the Strictly judges’ desk. Madame Tussauds Blackpool’s Strictly Come Dancing immersive experience offers fans of all ages to chance to add some ballroom brilliance to their visit to the attraction. https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/madame-tussauds-blackpool-5887/

Coral Island is Blackpool's largest indoor free admission family attraction. Explore and enjoy an action-packed day filled with fabulous food and family favourite seaside rides and redemption games as well as adult gaming and prize bingo. https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/coral-island-717100/

What sets Blackpool Zoo apart from other zoos? Close encounters with animals, excellent facilities for our less able visitors and happy, friendly staff who want to make your visit fun! The zoo stands out in the resort, too, as being an attraction the whole family can visit together. We also have the only gorillas in the north-west and one of the best sea lion displays in the UK. Add to that those, Project Elephant Base Camp, then put it all into 37 acres of beautiful, traditional English parkland and you have the hidden gem that is Blackpool Zoo. Over 1000 animals live at Blackpool Zoo, including many favourites and some you might not know! From aardvarks to zebras, cockroaches to camels – they’re all here! https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/blackpool-zoo-5893/

The 390-acre Stanley Park is a landmark in its own right, with a magical blend of architecture, horticulture and recreation. Stanley Park abounds in wildlife and its features appeal to the naturalist, the plant lover or one who would do nothing more than relax in elegant surroundings. Delightful horticultural displays can be found throughout the park. Don’t miss the Italian gardens, water fountains, statues, rose gardens and Remembrance Garden. Admire the impressive Cocker Tower - a memorial to Blackpool’s first Mayor Dr William Cocker, the bandstand and ornamental bridges over the lake. Stanley Park has a long sporting history and offers the best facilities in resort from a game of pitch and putt to a round of golf, a trim trail, athletic arena and a sports club for all keep-fit enthusiasts, plus play facilities for the children. http://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/stanley-park-17396/

The Blackpool Tower is a true British institution. It is the iconic feature of Blackpool’s famous seafront and continues to bring as much joy to visitors as it did when it was first constructed in 1894. Few attractions prove that #BlackpoolHasItAll quite like The Blackpool Tower, with stunning attractions for all the family to enjoy. Best of all, with amazing deals like our Blackpool Resort Pass and special midweek offers for mothers and toddlers, enjoying the perfect day out has never been more affordable. For a truly spectacular view of Blackpool, you need to head to the top of the tower. At 518ft tall, you’ll be pleased to know that there are lifts to the summit, where superb panoramic views await. Here, you can gaze out at the beautiful Irish Sea and get a unique bird’s-eye view of Blackpool itself, while on clear days you can see as far as North Wales, the Lake District and the Isle of Man. The brave amongst you can also try out the glass floor, where you can peek straight down to the streets below. https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/the-blackpool-tower-5892/

There’s nothing quite like a day at the seaside, and Blackpool is one of the best beach resorts you will find in the UK. It was even recently awarded its first ever Blue Flag, putting it on par with other world renowned sites including the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific coastline. http://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/blackpool-beach-275980/

When you enter the Victorian auditorium of the Blackpool Grand Theatre you will understand what people mean by ‘the glorious Grand’. There’s the incredibly ornate, gilded plasterwork, baroque ceiling, cavorting cherubs, cantilevered balconies allowing every seat a clear view of the stage and elegant new seats all creating a real ‘wow’ factor. Blackpool Grand Theatre is one of the few remaining theatres of great architectural character, designed by Frank Matcham. It has a magnificent 4-level auditorium with 1,100 seats. An all-year-round programme covering all live art forms. At Blackpool Grand Theatre, Lancashire's premier touring theatre and arts centre you will catch a wide-ranging programme of shows throughout the year. https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/grand-theatre-44080/

IWM North is part of Imperial War Museums – the world’s leading museum of war. Its unique purpose-built exhibition space gives powerful voice to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people forced to live their lives in a world torn apart by conflict. Walkthrough a timeline of history from the First World War to the present day. Explore a vast collection of over 2,000 objects, each one with the power to move, surprise and inspire – from the First World War field gun that fired the opening British round on the Western Front, to the twisted rust-ridden steelwork retrieved from the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York. And immerse yourself in the award-winning 360-degree cinematic Big Picture Shows that bring a broad range of perspectives into poignant focus, reflecting not only on the immediate effects of war but also on what happens when the guns stop firing. This is a place where every object on display, every contemporary work of art and every special exhibition is designed to live long in the memory. This is IWM North. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/iwm-north-p85551

The Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour offers a behind the scenes look at the world’s most iconic stadium; Old Trafford https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/manchester-united-museum-and-tour-centre-p85721

Ordsall Hall is Salford's 'hidden gem'! Dating back over 600 years, it is one of the region's finest examples of an Elizabethan black and white half-timbered manor-house. Wander back through time soaking up the atmosphere of our fully-furnished Great Hall and Star Chamber Bedroom. Get the low-down on Tudor lifestyles; maybe reminisce in our Victorian showcase and kitchen; or unearth the wealth of new discoveries to be made in our exciting and informative family events and exhibitions programme. It's all happening at Ordsall Hall! https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/ordsall-hall-p85481

The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is a place full of amazing objects and world-changing ideas. Visit the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station and the world’s first railway warehouse, built in 1830. Find out how our revolutionary railroad changed Manchester and the world forever. Be inspired by the wonder of science, enjoy live demonstrations of historic working machinery, take part in fun science shows and lots more. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/science-and-industry-museum-p85731

People’s History Museum (PHM) is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. The museum provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all. 2020 will mark the tenth birthday of PHM being in its home on the bank of the River Irwell in city-centre Manchester; a site that combines a restored historic building and magnificent contemporary extension. It is from this location, with two permanent galleries, a state of the art conservation studio, a changing exhibition gallery, archive and study centre and extensive learning and community spaces, that the national museum of democracy invites people to discover over 200 years of ideas worth fighting for. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/peoples-history-museum-p85701

For those who set eyes on Deansgate's The John Rylands Library for the first time, 'library' might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/the-john-rylands-library-p85841

One of the country's finest art collections in spectacular Victorian and contemporary surroundings. The gallery's £35 million transformations has enabled the collection to be presented to visitors in imaginative new ways. Highlights include outstanding pre-Raphaelite paintings, craft and design and early 20thC British art. Exciting exhibitions programme, there is a wide range of events, from talks and tours to hands-on activities for both children and adults. Superb visitor facilities include 2 cafes, large shop and full disabled access. For those with younger children, try one of our explorer tool belts for family groups with children aged three to six. There are plenty of tools to help you explore the gallery including binoculars, magnifying glasses, spot cards and much more. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/manchester-art-gallery-p85311

Whether you’re a die-hard football fan, planning a visit with your family or on a weekend break to the great city of Manchester, enjoy a visit to the world's biggest and best football museum. Delve into the social history and culture of the much-loved sport, with fascinating objects and exhibitions showing how football became the game of our lives. Test your skills at everything from penalty kicks and clever tricks to shot-stopping and commentating, and get your hands on some of our top silverware! The museum has a range of tours and trails available every day, with a host of family-friendly activities running across weekends and throughout the school holidays. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/national-football-museum-p241621

This 21-acre park was acquired as a gift from Alderman Fletcher Moss in 1914. Renowned for their botanical beauty, the gardens contain many antiquated and unusual plants and flowers. The park has retained many of its original features such as the rock and heather gardens, and there is an Alpine house in the gardens adjacent to Fletcher Moss. Together they form a picturesque, tranquil haven for visitors. The park also provides an excellent setting for the annual summer Park Play Performance. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/fletcher-moss-park-p84881

The Memorial Gardens were commissioned in 1948 as Gardens of Remembrance which incorporate the impressive Cenotaph designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, designer of the Cenotaph in London. The gardens provide an oasis of calm in the midst of a busy urban landscape. Facilities include memorial benches, a play area and sensory gardens. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/rochdale-memorial-gardens-green-flag-award-p421331

The current prison buildings are Victorian, built in 1868 but there has been a prison on that site since 1793. The prison was decommissioned by the Ministry of Justice in 2013 and is now open to the public as a tourist attraction offering a variety of tours including guided and self-guided The guided tours are led by ex-prison officers who showcase just what life was like, day and night, for prisoners, officers and visitors. During the two hours they shine a light on what really happened, from the Victorians to the 21st century, behind the high prison walls. Tours take in two wings (one is particularly haunted) the exercise yards, the segregation cells, healthcare and the execution room including the condemned man’s cell and the executioner's room. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-prison

The castle stands at the top of a hill and was built as a defensive fortification for Shrewsbury, which was otherwise protected by the River Severn. Founded by Roger de Montgomery in 1074, the castle has undergone many transformations, the last one being by Thomas Telford who 'modernised' the building in the 18th century. Climb the walls of the castle for amazing views and some people watching from high above the town. The grounds are free to visit and perfect for picnics too. The Castle houses the spectacular collections of the Shropshire Regimental Museum Trust including pictures, uniforms, medals, weapons and other equipment from the 18th Century to the present day. One of the prize exhibits is the baton of the German Admiral Doenitz, captured by soldiers of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry at the very end of World War II. Doenitz had been nominated as Hitler's successor. There are also stories about the British burning down the White House in 1814. The displays include a brief history of the castle through the centuries. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-castle-soldiers-shropshire-museum

Beneath Shrewsbury’s iconic clocktower is the town’s award-winning indoor market. Cosmopolitan cafés, artisan producers, vintage sellers, quality gift boutiques, artists and craftspeople all thrive alongside traditional fresh fruit and veg stalls and family butchers who have been trading for up to 100 years. Diners can enjoy some of the most creative food in town – authentic Beijing dumplings at a Chinese tea house, champagne and oysters at a continental-style seafood bar, Spanish tapas, sizzling Thai street food and more. The market is home to a community of talented artists and skilled craftspeople. Watch weavers, jewellery makers and artists at work. There is even a resident art gallery. A retro and vintage trail embraces clothing, collectables, antiques, books and vinyl records And if that’s not enough, visitors can indulge in chocolates made by our national award-winning chocolatier, buy a bicycle or get a quick make-over at Risdon’s barbershop. Main trading days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturday, although some stallholders also trade on Thursday. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-market-hall

St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury occupies a prominent position in the county town of Shropshire. The current church building was built in 1792, and with its distinctive round shape and high tower, it is a well-known landmark in the town. It faces The Quarry area of parkland, which slopes down to the River Severn. The church is a Grade I listed building. The motto of the church is "open doors, open hearts, and open minds". This indicates the aspiration of the church to be a welcoming church, involved in the community, and on a collective journey seeking after God. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/st-chads-church

St Alkmund’s is the only remaining open Anglican Church in the historic heart of Shrewsbury. St. Alkmund’s Church was founded in the 10th century, possibly by Aethefleda, daughter of King Alfred. She claimed descent from Alkmund, a Northumbrian prince murdered circ AD 800 near Derby. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/st-alkmunds-church

Re-opened at the old Music Hall in April 2014, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery tells the stories that make Shropshire unique through its’ amazing galleries: Roman Gallery, Shropshire Gallery, Medieval, Tudor and Stuart Galleries and the Special Exhibition Gallery. Come and explore millions of years of history through over one thousand remarkable objects in the extraordinary set of building that house Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. From key Shropshire finds like the Roman tombstones and headstones and the Shropshire Mammoth to a fine geology and Tudor collection, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery intimately depicts local history using all senses. Since opening, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has established itself as the perfect family museum and holds events and activities throughout the week that are ideal for children. Children and their families can take part in great activities like Mini-Mammoths to following the trail of Maximo Mouse through the museum – there’s always something in this family Museum for children to have fun and learn. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-museum-art-gallery

The Quarry is Shrewsbury's beautiful, 29-acre parkland, encircled by the majestic loop of the River Severn. The Quarry has been Shrewsbury's most important site for recreation since the 16th Century. It still provides the perfect place to relax, enjoy walks, picnic, fish along the banks of the River Severn, or just let off steam. At the heart of the Quarry lies the Dingle, a floral masterpiece cultivated by world-renowned gardener Percy Thrower, who served as Parks Superintendent for 28 years. It's a delightful sunken garden landscaped with alpine borders, brilliant bedding plants, shrubbery and charming water features. For two days each August The Quarry comes alive with more than 3 million blooms, as the park hosts Shrewsbury Flower Show. There is also show jumping, arena entertainment and top military bands, as well as a spectacular firework display. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/quarry-park

Welsh castle and solitary guardian of Snowdonia’s Llanberis Pass Occupying a lofty, lonely spot overlooking the waters of Llyn Padarn, native-built Dolbadarn Castle was once a vital link in the defences of the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd. Most likely constructed by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) in the late 12th or early 13th century, it stood to watch over the strategic route inland from Caernarfon to the upper Conwy Valley. Today the site is dominated by the sturdy round tower, very different in style to the unmortared slate slabs which make up the castle’s curtain walls. Standing 50ft/15.2m high, the tower’s design was probably inspired by that of similar fortresses built by Llywelyn’s rivals in the borderlands of the Southern Marches. https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/dolbadarn-castle