200 Things to Do on a Day Out in the North West

This guide is intended to act like a bucket list and can be used in a number of ways. First, you could set yourself a challenge to try to achieve as many of these across a period of time (like the summer school holidays, for families). A solo traveller could spend a year trying to tick off these items if they went out for day trips on weekends.

Some of the activities are intended more for families with young children, while others will suit the elderly or those who don’t enjoy hiking up mountains. Some of these ideas you can combine and achieve several in one day. This list could also be bookmarked, to act as inspiration or to get your creative day out juices flowing. I have also tried to avoid recommending high-cost activities as these can be a drain on family resources at a time when things are getting expensive.

Nature and Coastal Escapes

1. Collect seashells on a sandy beach.
2. Skim stones across a lake or pond (try to avoid this if you can see any birds on the water, though).
3. Try your hand at crabbing from a pier or harbour wall.
4. Go for a bluebell walk in late spring.
5. Watch the kite surfers on a windy day at the coast.
6. Go birdwatching at a local nature reserve.
7. Go rock pooling at low tide.
8. Visit a nature hide and stay silent for ten minutes.
9. Watch the sunrise from the coast.
10. Search for sea glass on a shingle beach.
11. Watch the changing of the tide at an estuary.
12. Visit a lighthouse and count the steps inside.
13. Practice Forest Bathing, which is mindful walking in the woods.
14. Go for a barefoot walk on a sandy beach.
15. Visit a nature boardwalk over a marsh.
16. Find the oldest tree in your local woodland.
17. Identify five different types of trees in a woodland.
18. Go wild swimming in a designated safe spot.
19. Go for a misty walk on a moorland.
20. Simply be in nature for one hour without a phone.

History and Heritage

21. Find the oldest item in a museum.
22. Explore a ruined abbey or castle.
23. Take a slow walk through a Victorian cemetery.
24. Visit a historic library like Chetham’s or the John Rylands.
25. Walk through a Blue Plaque trail to find famous residents.
26. Find a War Memorial and read the names.
27. Visit a smallest museum, often found in a phone box or shed.
28. Walk through a Tudor street and look at the timber frames.
29. Visit a cathedral and look at the stained glass.
30. Take a history walk led by a local guide.
31. Visit a windmill and see the sails turn.
32. Find a stone circle or prehistoric site.
33. Visit a heritage centre to research your family history.
34. Visit a police museum or courtroom museum.
35. Visit a military museum and see the medals.
36. Explore an underground tunnel tour like the Williamson Tunnels.
37. Visit a local history museum to learn about your town’s origins.
38. Visit an old bank building that has been repurposed.
39. Visit a Town Hall on an open day.
40. Visit a graveyard and see who can find the oldest gravestone.

Industrial and Mechanical

41. Take a ride on a heritage steam train.
42. Walk a section of a canal towpath and count the locks.
43. Take a canal boat trip for an hour.
44. Visit a textile mill museum and hear the looms.
45. Visit an industrial museum to see old steam engines.
46. Spend time in a museum of transport looking at old buses.
47. Visit a water tower and admire the engineering.
48. Visit a railway model exhibition.
49. Visit a football museum and see the old kits.
50. Watch the planes take off and land from a viewing park.
51. Take a behind the scenes tour of a local theatre.
52. Go to a local radio station for a tour.

Arts, Crafts and Creativity

53. Visit an art gallery and pick one painting you would like to take home.
54. Take a sketchbook and draw a single leaf.
55. Sketch a local landmark in a notebook.
56. Follow a self-guided sculpture trail in a forest.
57. Go statue spotting in a city centre.
58. Take a pottery painting class.
59. Visit a glass blowing studio and watch the artists.
60. Take a jewellery making class.
61. Take a life drawing class.
62. Visit a stained glass workshop.
63. Visit a working pottery and see the wheel in action.
64. Try a ceramics taster session.
65. Go to a craft fair and meet the makers.
66. Take a photography workshop focused on indoor lighting.
67. Take a macro photo of an insect on a flower.
68. Go on a photography mission to find the best red door in town.
69. Visit a design centre or architecture exhibit.
70. Spend an afternoon in a haberdashery choosing fabric.

Food, Drink and Markets

71. See how many items you can buy for £5 at an outdoor market (the amount can be more or less, but it is good for teaching kids budgeting).
72. Visit an indoor market and smell the different spices.
73. Go to a traditional chippy and eat inside.
74. Have afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream.
75. Try a wine tasting or coffee cupping session.
76. Visit a micro-brewery for a tour and a taster.
77. Visit a chocolate factory or shop for a demonstration.
78. Go to an indoor artisan bakery and watch them kneed dough.
79. Go to a deli and try three different cheeses.
80. Visit a farmers market and talk to one producer.
81. Visit a vineyard or orchard for a tour.
82. Visit a cider press or distillery shop.
83. Take a cookery class for a specific cuisine.
84. Browse a luxury food hall and buy one treat.
85. Pack a picnic with only yellow foods.
86. Visit a Pick-Your-Own farm for seasonal fruit.
87. Visit an old-fashioned sweet shop and buy a quarter of something.
88. Go to an indoor market for a hot breakfast.
89. Go to a tea room that has a roaring fire.
90. Go foraging with a guide for wild garlic or blackberries.

Family and Playful

91. Play Pooh Sticks at a local river or bridge.
92. Play a game of cricket or rounders in a public park.
93. Build a sandcastle, no matter your age.
94. Visit a Model Village and feel like a giant.
95. Visit an aquarium and find the camouflaged fish.
96. Visit a toy museum and find a toy you used to own.
97. Go ten-pin bowling and try to get a strike.
98. Take an indoor putting or crazy golf challenge.
99. Go to an arcade and play a vintage game.
100. Go ice skating at an indoor rink.
101. Search for a Fairy Trail in a local park.
102. Find a labyrinth or maze and try to reach the centre.
103. Go hill rolling, which is best for the young or young at heart (NWDT is not responsible for any injuries ;-) ).
104. Go to an indoor trampoline park.
105. Play a game of hide and seek in a public park.
106. Try pavement chalking on your patio or driveway.
107. Find a wishing well and toss in a coin.
108. Feed the ducks at a village pond with (defrosted) frozen peas or seeds (bread is bad for them, apparently).
109. Go crabbing from a pier or harbour wall.
110. Visit a science museum and press all the interactive buttons.

Active and Adventure

111. Go for a cycle along a disused railway line.
112. Find a Trig Point on the highest hill near you.
113. Find a giant stepping stone crossing at a river.
114. Go for a run in a parkrun event on a Saturday morning.
115. Try an escape room with friends or family.
116. Go to an indoor climbing wall and test your strength.
117. Try an indoor skydiving experience.
118. Try indoor axe throwing for the adventurous.
119. Try outdoor gym equipment in a public space.
120. Hunt for geocaches using a GPS or smartphone.
121. Walk along a promenade with an ice cream.
122. Fly a kite on a high ridge.
123. Find a bridge and watch the water flow underneath (Pooh Sticks is good fun for everyone!).
124. Take a ferry across a river or estuary.
125. Take a lido dip in an outdoor swimming pool.

Culture, Music and Media

126. Visit a record store and listen to a vinyl track.
127. Go to a jazz club for an afternoon set.
128. Attend a lunchtime concert in a town hall.
129. Go to the cinema to see an indie or foreign film.
130. Go to a boutique cinema with sofas and footrests.
131. Go to a poetry slam or open mic night.
132. Go to a comedy club for a matinee show.
133. Go to a talk or lecture at a local university or society.
134. Go to a record fair held in a community hall.
135. Visit a music hall or historic ballroom.
136. Go to a documentary screening at a library.
137. Visit a cinema museum or a historic theatre lobby.
138. Go to a drive-in or outdoor cinema event.
139. Visit a local filming location for a famous show.
140. Sit in a town square and listen to a busker.

Slow Living and Relaxation

141. Spend an hour in a silent reading room.
142. Sit on a bench and people watch for 30 minutes.
143. Visit a library and read a magazine you have never heard of.
144. Spend time in a plant shop choosing a new houseplant.
145. Find a peace garden for a quiet moment.
146. Visit a Quaker Meeting House for the architecture and peace.
147. Take a thermos of tea to a scenic viewpoint for sunset.
148. Go for a moonlight walk with a torch.
149. Find a quiet corner in a public building and write a letter.
150. Spend time in a meditation centre or yoga studio.
151. Go to a planetarium and learn about the stars.
152. Go star gazing on a clear night away from city lights.
153. Visit a bird of prey centre.
154. Visit a deer park (keep a respectful distance). Amuse yourself by saying “Oh, deer!”.
155. Sit by a fountain and try to capture the movement in a photo.

Hobbies and Curiosity

156. Browse an independent second-hand book shop for an hour.
157. Go to an antique centre and find the weirdest object.
158. Spend an afternoon in a board game cafe.
159. Spend a morning at a car boot sale hunting for treasures.
160. Visit a botanical garden and find the hothouse.
161. Go to a hobby shop and start a new model kit.
162. Go to an auction house on a viewing day.
163. Spend an hour in a music shop trying out instruments.
164. Visit a science discovery centre for adults.
165. Spend time in a stationery shop testing pens.
166. Visit a sustainable refill shop and learn about new products.
167. Go window shopping in an outdoor artisan village.
168. Spend an hour at a habitual hobby group like knitting or chess.
169. Take a perfume-making or candle-making workshop.
170. Take a language taster session.

Community and Social

171. Visit a Community Garden and volunteer for an hour.
172. Visit an animal sanctuary and hear their stories.
173. Watch a local amateur football or rugby match from the sidelines.
174. Go to a bingo hall for a bit of traditional fun.
175. Go for a penny walk where you flip a coin at every junction to decide your path.
176. Visit a working farm and see the newborn lambs in spring.
177. Visit a garden centre just to look at the fountains.
178. Go statue spotting in a city centre.
179. Spend time in a cat cafe petting the residents (the cats, not the staff).
180. Go to a magic shop and learn one trick.

Short Strolls and Observation

181. Find a sundial and check if it is accurate.
182. Visit a postal museum or find a rare postbox.
183. Take a sketchbook and draw a single leaf.
184. Find a secret garden tucked away in a city.
185. Find a totem pole or wood carving in a park.
186. Visit a clock museum and wait for the hour to chime.
187. Find a cottage garden and admire the flowers.
188. Visit a duck decoy or historic pond.
189. Watch the kite surfers on a windy day at the coast.
190. Take a slow walk through a Victorian cemetery.

Miscellaneous Indoor and Outdoor

191. Visit a stately home and walk the perimeter of the estate.
192. Go to a billiards or snooker hall.
193. Visit a department store and visit the top floor cafe.
194. Try a virtual reality experience centre.
195. Visit a hat museum, as the North West has a great one.
196. Take an indoor ballroom dancing lesson.
197. Take a photo of an unusual architectural detail.
198. Go for a rainy walk with high-quality wellies and an umbrella.
199. Take a dog, yours or a friend’s, for a long walk.
200. Do a sounds walk where you listen for 10 distinct noises.

This list is designed to inspire your next North West adventure. Hopefully, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We hope you have a great time exploring the beautiful North West.

Top 5 Essential Tips for North West Day Trips

These five tips ensure your day out, regardless of which of the 200 ideas you choose, is a success.

1. Layers are Your Best Friend
   • The North West is famous for its volatile weather. A sunny morning in the Ribble Valley can easily turn into a rainy afternoon. Pack layers (a waterproof, a fleece, and a t-shirt) so you can adapt instantly.
2. Plan ‘Rainy-Day B’ Options
   • If you choose an outdoor activity, always have a backup indoor option nearby. The North West has excellent industrial and social history museums that are perfect for a spontaneous weather pivot.
3. Check Tides and Terrain
   • If heading to the coast, check the tide times. The Irish Sea can move quickly, and what looks like a vast beach can disappear. For any walk, always double-check the route details before setting off.
4. Embrace Public Transport
   • Many of the top North West hubs, including the cities, the Fylde Coast, and the Pennine Fringe, are incredibly well-connected by rail and bus. Not only does this save on parking costs, but it also allows you to enjoy the journey and perhaps a pint or two.
5. Always Book Ahead (Even the Free Stuff)
   • Many museums, heritage sites, and guided workshops now require advance booking, even if entry is free. This avoids disappointment, especially during school holidays or peak summer periods.