Top 10 Specialty Museums in North West England, England

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.

See the world's only working steam powered weaving mill bring the past to life. A rare chance to re-live the days when steam ran the world!

In 1799, while on a walking tour of the Lake District, William Wordsworth saw Dove Cottage in Grasmere and decided to make it his home. He had known the valley as a boy, describing it as ‘paradise’. Within a few weeks, Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy had moved in and were busily furnishing the home and planning a garden. It was whilst living here that Wordsworth produced most of his best-loved poems, and Dorothy wrote her fascinating Grasmere journal. A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago. In this humble Lake District cottage, you can feel how a unique combination of people and place came together and changed poetry forever. You will need to book your ticket before you visit. To book tickets for a timed entry slot to Dove Cottage and the Garden-Orchard please visit our website.

The award-winning ‘The Beatles Story’ is the world's largest permanent exhibition devoted to telling the story of The Beatles’ rise to fame. Located in the Fab Four’s hometown of Liverpool on the stunning UNESCO World heritage waterfront at the Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story takes visitors on an immersive journey through the lives, times, culture and music of the world’s greatest band. Join The Beatles on their journey; first conquering Liverpool, and then the world, through recreations of key locations from the band’s career including The Casbah Club, The Cavern Club, and Abbey Road Studios. Multi-media guides are available in twelve different languages including English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Spanish and NEW for 2018, Korean and Cantonese.

At Merseyside Maritime Museum you can explore the history of the great port of Liverpool, with four floors of galleries: Seized! The Border and Customs uncovered; the Emigration gallery; Liverpool: World Gateway; the Titanic, Lusitania and Empress of Ireland gallery; the Battle of the Atlantic; the Art and the Sea Gallery; and the temporary exhibition space. The museum also includes the 2010 Michelin Guide-listed Maritime Dining Rooms, a café, shop and lecture theatre.

*Please check the website for Winter opening hours* An enchanting visitor attraction in the English Lake District where Beatrix Potter’s magical stories are brought to life in 3D. Learn about the famous Miss Potter, meet Peter Rabbit and step into Mr McGregor’s kitchen garden. Enjoy delicious treats in the Tea Room and browse the world-famous souvenir gift shop.

Purpose-built to tell powerful stories of over a century of conflict, IWM North makes full use of its extraordinary exhibition space to deliver a moving and immersive experience.

Holker Hall is the home of the Cavendish Family who welcome visitors of all ages to one of the best-loved stately homes in Britain. Magnificently situated only a short distance from Grange-over-Sands and the expanse of Morecambe Bay and is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens that merge into Parkland, framed by the Lakeland Hills.

This quirky building in the heart of Hawkshead displays original watercolours and work by Beatrix Potter, from the National Trust collection. It's the only place you can step inside the famous tales and get up-close to the original illustrations.