City life is fun and all, but we all know that sometimes you need to escape for the day. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in nature, visit a quaint countryside town or even explore a new city altogether, there's plenty of fun things to do nearby. So when you need inspiration a little outside of the local area? We've rounded up the very best day trips from Manchester by car and train, from sunny stretches of beach to some of the best walking destinations in the country.
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Best Day Trips Near Manchester
The Lake District: 1 hour 35 minutes by car, 3 hours by train (depending where you visit)
A popular weekend break for people all over the UK, we're lucky enough to live close enough for a day trip to the Lake District from Manchester. There are a number of organised tours of the area if you're not sure where to start, although it's easy to explore this gorgeous region on your own too. You can navigate the lakes by bus and train, though it's easier to get there by car, but the real beauty is best enjoyed by walking.
The Lake District National Park is a great central spot to head to, encompassing most of the notable parts of the region. This is the second largest national park in the UK, and gives you more than enough to do on a day out. If you want to venture to the coastal parts of the region, then check out the Cartmel and Furness peninsulas, while the quaint market town of Kendal is a great stop for somewhere a little more built up - even boasting its own Roman fort.
You'll find rolling hills aplenty in this beautiful part of the country.
Blackpool: 1 hour 20 minutes by car and train
The destination of many a childhood holiday, Blackpool never gets old. If you're looking for a hit of nostalgia on your next day trip, then this seaside destination is the place to be for candy floss, sticks of rock and dodging seagulls while trying to eat your chips on the beach. Of course, there's also the iconic Blackpool Tower with its Tower Ballroom for dancing fans.
You could easily spend a whole day at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with tickets starting from just £33 per person. Take a ride on the Big One if you're brave enough, with all kinds of other thrill rides to try out as well. But there's plenty more to enjoy in this town, from the huge arcades to the iconic tower or the free illuminations, and of course the huge stretch of beach itself.
The Pleasure Beach also makes Blackpool a top choice for day trips from Manchester for kids.
North Welsh Coast: 2 hours by car, 1 hour and a half by train
This expansive stretch of coast has so much to explore, and parts of it are less than two hours away from Manchester. Notable beaches on the North Welsh Coast include Llandudno, Anglesey, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, each with their own unique charm.
There are stunning views to enjoy all the way along this shore, as well as traditional seaside towns where you can while an afternoon away at the amusements and tuck into fish and chips on the beach. And if you fancy making a bit of a longer journey, Snowdonia and the surrounding national park is less than two and a half hours away.
All this beautiful coast is only two hours away.
Chester: 1 hour by car, 1 hour 15 minutes by train
A gorgeous, historic city only an hour away from Manchester, Chester is an area that tells the story of Britain, from the 1000-year old cathedral complete with medieval carvings to the 700-year old Rows galleries that are now filled with all sorts of cool shops and restaurants. Chester itself was founded in 79 AD, and you can still see most of the Grade I-listed city walls today, as well as the remains of a Roman amphitheatre.
The River Dee also runs through the city, and the pretty banks are filled with benches where you can sit and watch the boats go by. There's also a huge number of brilliant bars and restaurants to visit here - some of our favourites include Opera Grill, North Light and Veeno. And if you head to the outskirts of the city? You can visit the well-known Chester Zoo too.
Get your fix of history in Chester, one of the best cheap day trips from Manchester.
The Pennines and The Peak District: 50 minutes by car, 25 minutes by train
The Pennines are one of the most beautiful walking destinations in the country, and luckily for us, they begin less than an hour's journey from Manchester. You can get a train to Greenfield in less than 25 minutes, and from then on you'll be surrounded by rolling hills, bubbling steams and lots of sheep.
The best part of this destination is the trip can be as long as you like, as this mountain chain leads all the way up to the North East of England. The Peak District National Park is also found in this region, only a 50-minute drive from the city, and if you venture down towards Derbyshire then the historic Chatsworth House is well worth a visit too.
This gorgeous national park is an unbeatable walking spot.
Liverpool: 1 hour by car and train
A nearby city is always a great choice for a day trip, and one of the UK's best is only an hour away by both car and train. Liverpool is full of brilliant things to do, and it's also home to some of the best bars and restaurants around - we recommend NORD, Neighbourhood and Manolo in particular.
Beatles fans will love all of the memorabilia, and there are plenty of great sights to see too, from the Royal Albert Dock to the River Mersey. Attractions include the Royal Liver Building, the Tate and both the iconic football stadiums, and there are a number of pretty parks to explore too.
Only an hour away with easy access, Liverpool is one of the best day trips from Manchester by train.
Buxton: 1 hour 20 minutes by car, 1 hour by train
Looking for day trips from Manchester without a car? Located on the edge of the Peak District, Buxton is a charming town only an hour away from Manchester. Not only does it house the UK's oldest National park, but it's also known as the town of thermal spas - making it a great choice for relaxing breaks.
Soak in the beauty of the Pavilion Gardens or check out a performance at the Opera House, before doing a spot of shopping and settling down in one of many great pubs or restaurants. And if you're after something more adventurous, they've got a Go Ape centre here too, where you can swing from the treetops and fly down zip wires.
The Pavilion Gardens are well worth stopping by.
Haworth: 1 hour 30 minutes by car, 2 hours by train
A picturesque little village in the Pennine hills of West Yorkshire, Haworth is best known for being the home of the Brontë sisters. There's a museum dedicated to the literary legends here, found in their former family home, as well as plenty of quaint bookshops.
The area is surrounded by rolling moors that undoubtedly inspired many of their novels, great for countryside walks, and you'll find all sorts of traditional pubs and restaurants along the cobbled streets. They also host a lot of historical events here throughout the year, from Victorian-themed fun in the run-up to Christmas to a 1940s weekend in May.
This old-fashioned little village is surrounded by stunning countryside.
For more inspiration on things to do, check out our guide to the best attractions in Manchester, and sign up to our newsletter for more.
