10 cheap days out in North England

1. Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Nearest station: Harrogate

Distance from train station: 17-minute walk

A short walk from Harrogate train station, Valley Gardens is a 17-acre parkland with themed gardens, floral displays and historic buildings. One of the main attractions at the heart of this parkland is Bogs Field, which is believed to have more kinds of mineral water springs (now turned into wells) popping up than anywhere else in the world! 

The Valley Gardens is the perfect break away from the hustle and bustle of city life and a great option for a fun family day out when the skies are clear. 
Take your family somewhere for cheap with Northern and our family tickets.

Visit Valley Gardens

2. Baltic Art, Newcastle

Nearest station: Newcastle Central Station

Distance from train station: 20-minute walk

Baltic Art in Newcastle is a gallery that offers visitors the chance to see the latest and greatest in art from local to national artists. Enjoy the installations they have on show before enjoying a bit to eat at the Baltic Kitchen.

The shop within the centre offers crafts like necklaces and pottery, all made by local artists who are working to hone their craft for your enjoyment. Supporting indie artists has never been easier, and travelling to Baltic Art with your friends just got a whole lot easier with Northern’s group tickets.

Visit Baltic Art

3. National Railway Museum, York

Nearest station: York

Distance from train station: 20-minute walk

A favourite of ours, the National Railway Museum in York hosts a range of exciting and informative exhibits within its walls. With limited-time exhibitions, there’s always something new to learn about. 

The museum is also home to a VR experience, which is sure to wow even the most reluctant of participants. The National Railway Museum is the perfect destination for any trainspotter you know.

Grab your favourite train enthusiast and head along to the National Railway Museum with a duo ticket from Northern.

Visit the National Railway Museum

4. Dolphin Centre, Darlington

Distance from train station: Darlington

Distance to station: 14-minute walk

Another great family day out, the Dolphin Centre is an activity centre that offers everything from swimming to bowling, all under one roof, with most one-off activities costing less than £10 to get involved in.

The centre also includes a soft-play area along with football, so the littlest ones and older kids will be satisfied with a trip to the Dolphin Centre. Get there with Northern and travel easier and cheaper on a family ticket, making your busy life simpler.

Visit the Dolphin Centre

5. Museum of Liverpool

Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street

Distance from train station: 19-minute walk

The Museum of Liverpool is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cheap day out! The museum offers an array of interesting exhibits from fashion to dinosaurs and natural history, and they even offer Little Liverpool – a gallery for kids to get involved in some interactive fun.

With Liverpool Lime Street station only a short walk away, and free admission into the museum, it's a great option for a cheap and accessible day out in the North.

Make your next day out even easier, with Northern and our family tickets.

Visit the Museum of Liverpool

6. Sheffield Winter Garden

Nearest station: Sheffield

Distance from train station: 8-minute walk

Visit one of the largest temperature glasshouses to be built in the UK within the last hundred years. The Winter Garden in Sheffield allows you to explore a world of tropical plants, and cacti, with the additional bonus of free admission.

The Winter Garden is also within easy walking distance of the Millenium Gallery, Millenium Square and Tudor Square, so you can easily continue to explore more of Sheffield! 

Bring a friend and enjoy an easy journey with Northern, using a duo ticket.

Visit the Winter Garden

7. Clitheroe Castle Museum, Clitheroe

Nearest station: Clitheroe

Distance from train station: 6-minute walk

Gazing out onto the Ribble Valley, Clitheroe Castle sits atop Clitheroe, overlooking the town for 800 years. The museum delves deep into the importance of the castle, what life was like back when the town was created, and how the landscape was formed 350 million years ago.

Tickets are only £5 for adults, and children can go free, so if you find yourself in Clitheroe or on a day with little to do, then the castle museum is a fantastic spot.

Get spontaneous with Northern and get a same-day ticket available for up to 5 minutes before departure. Set your own schedule.

Visit Clitheroe Castle

8. Macclesfield Silk Museum, Macclesfield

Nearest station: Macclesfield

Distance from train station: 7-minute walk

There’s no finer texture in the world than that of silk. Often seen as a sign of wealth and beauty, Macclesfield had produced this rare commodity for over 300 years before the closure of its factory in 1981. Despite this, the silk produced here is still world-renowned and the museum hosts over 1,000 volumes of the silk in its shelves. 

The museum will take you all the way through the history of silk, from Ancient Egypt, all the way through to the modern era. Hosted in a restored silk mill, the mill still works and gives you the chance to observe the intricate process that produces the fine textile. Book an anytime ticket with Northern, and head along to one of England’s most enjoyable museums.

Visit the Silk Museum

9. Hanley Park and Garden, Stoke-on-Trent

Nearest station: Stoke-on-Trent 

Distance from train station: 14-minute walk

Hanley Park and Garden offers so much choice in the one park you’ll be able to come back again and again. With the usual green spaces available, the park also has sports zones for cricket, basketball, football, hockey and tennis.

The park is also home to a restored bandstand, a fishing area, a sensory play area, and a range of public art sculptures. Having gone under a £60 million refurbishment, the park is ready to accept all visitors as it is also accessible for everyone. Head over to Hanley Park with a Northern same-day ticket to keep your schedule open.

Visit Hanley Park and Garden

10. Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, Middlesborough

Nearest station: Middlesborough

Distance from train station: 10-minute walk

The Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) is home to an eccentric collection of some of the most fascinating pieces of art made this century.

Learn from a range of activities available to book, suitable for youngsters through to the elderly. Observe MIMA’s collection of art sourced from artists that are both local and far-reaching, creating a smorgasbord of visual treats for your eyes. The shop also offers a host of local crafts as well as MIMA specific merchandise so you can support the artists. Grab a duo ticket with Northern and enjoy the intimacy of art at MIMA.

Visit MIMA

Whether you're in the mood for an indoor adventure or an outdoor explore, you'll find plenty of options for cheap day out in the North. Make it even easier to enjoy a day out by finding the best deals on travel with Northern, allowing you to get around with ease.