We get it. Sometimes you just need a break from the city. A day to explore beyond the familiar streets and buildings you’ve come to call home.
Manchester is one of the best bases in the country from which to discover the tantalising treasures of the North (and beyond!). Breathtaking walks, arty villages, and even medieval castles are often just a train ride away.
So, read on and spread those wings. Manchester will be waiting to welcome you back.
Edale
Ruggedly glorious, the Peak District was the very first of Britain’s national parks – and it still wears the crown.
Edale is the easiest jumping off point from Manchester to get wonderfully lost amongst dramatic hills, lush valleys, and friendly sheep. There are plenty of walks from the station itself, whether you’re all kitted out for a full day’s hike or you’re looking for a shorter, gentler stroll.
Getting hungry after your ramble? All the more reason to duck into one of Edale’s traditional country pubs. Expect cool, beer garden pints on hot summer days, and merry log fires in the depths of winter.
How to get there: An easy train journey to Edale station direct from Manchester.
Journey time: 45 minutes.
Formby
A windswept beach walk is an absolute must while you’re staying in the north of England.
Formby isn’t the quickest coastline to reach from Manchester, but it’s certainly one of the prettiest. Your efforts will be rewarded with soft sand dunes, woodland walks, and miles of glinting waves across the Irish Sea.
Pack a picnic, bring your course mates, and spend the day relaxing at this golden beach and nature reserve.
How to get there: Catch the train from Manchester to Freshfield, changing in Liverpool. From here, it’s a pleasant half hour walk to the coast.
Journey time: Around two hours.
Hebden Bridge
Yorkshire’s most beloved little mill town is so easy to reach from Manchester that you might just find yourself visiting every weekend.
Cradled between green hills and historic moors, the colourful community of Hebden Bridge is a haven for free spirits and quirky creatives.
Walk along its cobbled streets and while away a dreamy day discovering indie shops, top-rated eateries, and live music drifting from the market square. Bring a bag of seeds to feed the geese along the canal, and visit in spring to see gaggles of fluffy goslings.
How to get there: A short hop on the train from Manchester to Hebden Bridge.
Journey time: Around 30 minutes.
Tatton Park
With 1,000 acres of parkland to explore, you might want to plan several day trips to Tatton Park. It’s the gift that just keeps giving.
Take your pick from the elegant mansion, the estate farm, the medieval Old Hall, the formal gardens, or simply wandering through the lush park and befriending a deer or two.
There are also special events throughout the year, with exhibitions, workshops, and seasonal trails, so make sure you check their website to see what’s on.
How to get there: Catch the train from Manchester to Knutsford, then walk 10 minutes to the park.
Journey time: Around 50 minutes.
Chatsworth House
Now, you don’t have to be a Jane Austen fan to appreciate the splendour of Chatsworth, but it’s worth pointing out that it did inspire Pride and Prejudice and even made it into the Keira Knightly film adaptation.
So there’s that.
But even if you’re not a lover of literature, you’re bound to be enchanted by this frankly phenomenal historic house. It’s one of the grandest displays of wealth in the country, dating mostly to the 17th century, and sits within acres of rolling parkland.
Block out an entire day to explore the many walks around this Peak District gem and delve into the history of the place, while also admiring the works of art on display inside the house.
How to get there: Take the Sheffield-bound train to Dore & Totley, then catch the 218 Peakline bus to Chatsworth House.
Journey time: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Heaton Park
This one’s a little closer to home, but as one of the biggest municipal parks in Europe, Heaton Park makes city life feel a world away.
There’s lots to explore.
Start by hiring a pedalo on the glistening lake. Or perhaps visiting the mini farmyard and petting zoo. Or maybe you’d simply like to stroll across the vast green and watch squirrels dart through the treetops.
As there’s a café onsite and the park is open from 8am till dusk, it’s easy to make a day of it.
How to get there: Simply hop on the tram towards Bury and jump off at the Heaton Park stop.
Journey time: Around 15 minutes.
Conwy
Did you know you can get to a whole other country from Manchester in two hours on the train?
Wales is closer than many Mancunians realise, and while you won’t need your passport to enter, you’ll still get a sense of being far from home when you arrive at Conwy in North Wales.
In large part, that’s down to the humongous medieval castle you’ll discover as soon as you leave the station. These dramatic ruins are well worth a visit, but leave time to potter around the rest of the town, too, calling in at cute coffee shops and charming boutiques.
Oh, and keep an eye on the horizon. In Wales, there be dragons…
How to get there: Take a direct train from Manchester to Conwy.
Journey time: 2 hours.
From our student accommodation in Manchester, all the main train stations are walking distance away, making it an unbeatable base for journeying beyond the city. And once you get back after your big day out, it’s easy to recharge.
Kick back and enjoy the five-star comforts and facilities of your home-away-from-home, ready for your next adventure.
