North West England

England's most-loved landscape and two of its most characterful cities. The Lake District's fells and lakes — Wordsworth's and Beatrix Potter's country — are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Liverpool has the Beatles, two cathedrals and a UNESCO waterfront; Manchester has the music, the football and the industrial-red-brick reinvention. Chester adds Roman walls, Blackpool adds the Tower and the lights.

Best time: May–Sep for the Lakes; Apr and Oct for fells without the crowds

• The Lake District National Park — Windermere, Scafell Pike, Wordsworth's Grasmere
• Liverpool — the Beatles, the Albert Dock and the waterfront
• Manchester — music, football and the Northern Quarter
• Chester's Roman walls and medieval Rows
• Blackpool Tower and the Illuminations