The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in North West England, England

July 18, 2021 Timmy Ribble

Discover the best top things to do in North West England, United Kingdom including Loughrigg Fell, Orrest Head, Anson Engine Museum, Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Gauntlet Birds of Prey, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sizergh Castle, Tarn Hows, Stanley Park.
Restaurants in North West England

1. Loughrigg Fell

Ambleside England
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 597 reviews

Loughrigg Fell

Reviewed By mgsnorwich - Norwich, United Kingdom

From Skelwith Bridge follow the footpath round Loughrigg Tarn to the Grasmere road and then take the footpath on the right to Loughrigg Terrace where you are rewarded with a panoramic view over Grasmere. There is a path down to the waterside but continue on the terrace down to the waterside path round Rydal Water. When you come to the road turn right and follow the road by the river until it turns sharply left at which point leave the road and climb up a steep path to the shoulder of Loughrigg whence the path goes all the way back down to Skelwith. The”Loughrigg Round” is an excellent half day’s walk.

2. Orrest Head

Windermere England http://www.lakeswalks.co.uk/walks/orrest_head_from_windermere
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,652 reviews

Orrest Head

Reviewed By catherineaW5938DI - Manchester, United Kingdom

Absolutely love this walk! It's a must for people who aren't as athletic and still want to experience the beauty and the views of the lakes, it's just a short walk from windermere and only takes you about 30 minutes to get the top! Which didn't take me long! absolutely breath taking views and a lovely pub just a short walk from it ????

3. Anson Engine Museum

Anson Road Poynton, SK12 1TD England +44 1625 874426 [email protected] http://www.enginemuseum.org
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 107 reviews

Anson Engine Museum

It used to be one of the best kept secrets among Cheshire's many attractions but over the past few years it has undergone some major changes and is now recognized as one of the country's leading specialist museums. Situated in Higher Poynton, the museum is on the site of the old Anson Colliery. Engine enthusiasts from all over the world come to visit this fascinating museum. However, it is increasingly becoming a "must visit" attraction for non-enthusiasts too and won the "Visitors Choice" award (voted for by the public) when they were asked "where would you take a visitor to the Macclesfield area"? As well as the largest collection of engines in Europe, the museum also has changing displays of local history items such as photographs, maps, mementos and keepsakes from the Vernon Estate and Anson Colliery. Open one weekend a month in 2015.

Reviewed By JonL1827

Pleasantly surprised at just how good this place is, loads to look at, loads of running displays lots of info and really accommodating staff and volunteers, it says allow 2 hours but we were there more like 4 hours, very reasonable prices in the cafe. A really nice day out.

4. Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Access Through Garden Centre 92 Chain House Lane Whitestake,, Preston PR4 4LB England +44 1772 323323 [email protected] http://www.turbarywoods.co.uk/
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,467 reviews

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary is a pure volunteer based, non profit group of volunteers. The flying display give you the visitors, Children & Adults, the chance to participate in the flying display and have our birds land on your gloved hand as they fly to you for their food. We have a collection of over 80 birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, vultures and more unusual species. All the birds are housed in large open fronted aviaries, sheltered in a woodland setting. We assist conservation and education of these beautiful Birds and we are involved with an average of 50 rescues each year.

Reviewed By Deborah047 - Blackpool, United Kingdom

Thoroughly enjoyed our day at Turbary Woods today. The sanctuary is right next to a garden centre which has a cafe, which also has toilets. The cafe was reasonably priced and the food was delicious. We were allowed to get really close to the birds and the staff were all friendly and informative and you can see that they are all passionate about the birds. We learnt lots and were encouraged to get involved with the bird display which was really entertaining and interesting, Will definitely visit again, thanks for a great afternoon. Family of four ticket was £18.00, adults £6, children £4 and oap's £4. I think the fees are reasonable as the upkeep of the place must be expensive.

5. Gauntlet Birds of Prey

Manchester Road Next to Fryer's Rose Nursery and Garden Centre, Knutsford WA16 0SX England +44 1565 754419 [email protected] http://www.gauntlet.info/
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 556 reviews

Gauntlet Birds of Prey

Gauntlet, Eagle & Vulture park is the largest bird of prey park in the Northwest of England. With over 120 birds of prey, ranging from the smallest owls to the worlds largest eagle and Vultures it really is a haven for animal lovers. Gauntlet has two daily shows at 12.30 and 3 during the months March-Oct and during the winter months weekends only. As well as our two daily displays we have vulture feeding and meet & greet. We have a large children's play area with plenty of room for picnics. We are on the same site as Fryers garden centre and you can leave at anytime and come back for our displays. For those wishing to get closer we have bird of prey experiences which are run 7 days a week throughout the year. This gives people the opportunity to handle and fly the birds.

Reviewed By TRACY632013 - Belper, United Kingdom

We visited the park with my elderly parents and two young grand children aged 6 and 11. We all had a wonderful experience with Meet and Greet sessions , the Vulture experience and the wonderful flying experience at the end of the day when over 30 birds gave an awe inspiring display set to music. What a great day out and very reasonable. We had a snack type lunch and coffees from the little cafe area but my daughter and partner along with their children went to the Garden Centre next door as they are gluten free. The birds are well looked after, well loved , staff are knowlegeable and enthuiastic. I cannot fault it at all.

Port Sunlight Village Lower Road, Birkenhead CH62 5EQ England +44 151 478 4136 [email protected] http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever/
Excellent
75%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 932 reviews

Lady Lever Art Gallery

The Lady Lever Art Gallery is a real treasure, housing a stunning collection of paintings including many Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces, the world's finest collection of Wedgwood jasperware, exquisite furniture, Chinese ceramics, tapestries and sculpture, Paintings on display include works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Stubbs, Turner, Leighton, Millais, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Holman Hunt and Waterhouse, to name but a few. Admission is free, booking essential at www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever

Reviewed By O9408JTannec - Bristol, United Kingdom

Set in the beautiful village of Port Sunlight, Wirral, this art gallery is an essential place to visit. I went with my elderly mother who now has mobility issues. Wheelchairs are readily available at the reception desk. Everywhere is wheelchair accessible (except for the top gallery). The main hall full of famous paintings is easily accessible for wheelchair users, as is the lift, the cafe, the loo, and the other rooms. What prompted this visit was the advert for the Matisse cut outs exhibition. The main paintings are always worth another visit though. So is the village itself.

7. Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

England +44 1200 448000 [email protected] http://www.forestofbowland.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Discover Bowland and explore 803 sq km of rural Lancashire (730 sq km) and Yorkshire (73 sq km). The Forest of Bowland was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964 and provides some of the most peaceful and remote walking, riding and cycling in the country. Festival Bowland - a year round calendar of events - is a great way to find out more about the area, discover intriguing heritage, fantastic wildlife and enjoy great family fun.

Reviewed By ZoeLingham - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

This place has it all. Perfect for cyclists, whether mountain biking or road. Great places to eat, friendly locals. I couldnt recommend visiting FoB enough.

8. Sizergh Castle

Sizergh Castle Near Kendal, Cumbria, Kendal LA8 8AE England +44 15395 60951 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,404 reviews

Sizergh Castle

Reviewed By Y7972VAmichaelh

Sizergh Castle, the home of the Strickland family since 1239, turned out to be a most memorable day and of tremendous interest. The Hall didn’t open until midday so we spent a good hour wandering through the stunning gardens, thankfully in brilliant warm sunshine. The limestone rock garden was made in 1926 and contained beautiful Japanese maples and ferns of spectacular golden colours (mid-September). The mid-14th-century Solar Tower dominates the south-east front effectively landscaped with stone terraces and steps leading down to the lily pond. The interior contained some wonderful pieces of furniture and stunning bronze figurines. Cecilia Strickland transformed the Hall from 1773 onwards but was stricken with chronic arthritis forcing her to resort to using a wooden chair which had been fitted with wheels in quite a homespun but nonetheless ingenious fashion. This National Trust owned property really was a highlight on our week-long holiday and the restaurant is geared up in a very professional way to serve good meals which was attracting a significant number of visitors. The staff throughout the whole complex were engaging, polite and extremely knowledgeable without being over intrusive. A really great find which could have easily been missed due to the high charges for car parking .... something that seriously needs looking at National Trust! Visitors WILL spend in so many other ways and be quite generous with their giving too, but hitting them hard from the outset is not the way to do it. A property that totally justifies a 5-star rating.

9. Tarn Hows

Lake District National Park, Coniston LA21 8AQ England +44 15394 41456 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tarn-hows-and-coniston
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,327 reviews

Tarn Hows

Stunning Tarn Hows offers an accessible circular (1¾ miles) walk through beautiful countryside with majestic mountain views. A great place to walk and picnic, or to begin your wider Lake District countryside adventure. There are also rare Belted Galloway cattle and sturdy Herdwick sheep grazing by the tarn. There is a mobility scooter available for use for those who are less able to get around the Tarn.

Reviewed By borrum - London, United Kingdom

Bequeathed to the National Trust by Beatrix Potter, the circular walk around Tarn Hows offers a panoramic view of beautiful wooded countryside, magnificent hills and valleys, and the glistening waters of the tarns.

10. Stanley Park

West Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 9HQ England +44 1253 477477 http://www.friendsofstanleypark.org.uk/
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,436 reviews

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is Blackpool's premier green attraction, placed as a Grade II* listed facility on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, within a designated town conservation area. The park has enjoyed continued popularly since its official opening in 2nd October 1926 by Sir George Edward Villers Stanley, after whom the park takes its name. Stanley Park was designed by famous Landscape Architects Thomas Mawson & Sons and at 256 acres, is one of England's largest and historically significant green spaces. The park was the first comprehensive site planning scheme in Blackpool; a unique development on a grand scale designed to meet the needs of the town. The park contains everything that any visitor could possibly wish for. Experience a variety of scenic walks around ornamental gardens, natural woodlands and lakes as well as a number of stunning architectural and landscape features such as the Cocker Memorial Clock Tower, Art Deco Cafe, Italian Gardens, Rose Gardens, Bandstand and Auditorium. The park also boasts a superb sporting and recreational facilities including Blackpool Model Village, Stanley Park Golf Course, Blackpool Sports Centre, Blackpool Cricket Ground and Athletic Arena, as well as boat hire and numerous outdoor pitches, greens and courts.

Reviewed By jltregartha

Had a lovely day in the park after visiting The model village, a lovely park.Lovely gardens and plenty to see.Excellent day out.Had lunch in Parks Art Deco cafe which was lovely, would highly recommend.

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