With spring cleaning behind us, sun to look forward to, and bank holidays to enjoy, May is a great month to indulge yourself in everything the North of England has to offer.
With temperatures rising and the sun starting to show its face a bit more often, May is a great time to get outdoors. We’ll help you get from A to B and share some of the best things to do this month. Hop on a Northern train and explore your favourite destinations across the North of England.
Use Northern to travel to your favourite destinations in the North of England.
1. Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street
Distance from train station: 20-minute walk
The Royal Albert Dock is the perfect choice for enjoying the moments of good weather in May. You can soak up the sunshine along the waterfront, or there are also plenty of covered areas if the rain makes an appearance. Take your pick from a diverse selection of shops, including clothing, souvenirs and locally made sweets, giving you an authentic taste of Liverpool.
The docks offer more than enough for a full bank holiday or day out, but if you’re looking for even more to do, Liverpool is bursting with life and has plenty more to explore.
2. Chester Races, Chester
Nearest station: Chester
Distance from train station: 24-minute walk
Don your finery and dust off your waistcoat - it’s time for the races. The Chester Racecourse hosts a full calendar of race days throughout May, with trials at the beginning of the month and a family-friendly celebration at the end with Roman Day. As the world’s oldest operational racecourse, Chester has perfected race day hospitality, with restaurants, food trucks and picnic spots around the grounds - making it a fantastic day out in Chester.
On the final day of the month, Roman soldiers patrol the grounds as part of Roman Day, with a range of family-friendly activities including archery and inflatables. Children aged 17 and under go free to the races, so it’s the perfect time to book with Northern and grab a family ticket.
3. Leeds Treasure Hunt, Leeds
Nearest station: Leeds
Looking for a different way to explore a new city? Or perhaps you want to see the place you’ve called home for years in a whole new light. With a Leeds treasure hunt, you’ll leave the busy main streets behind and discover lesser-known spots that locals love. If getting to know a city on a deeper level sounds like your kind of adventure, this treasure hunt will lead you to some of Leeds’ best-kept secrets.
Whether you’re an amateur sleuth or an avid city trekker, Northern will have you covered with cheaper advanced tickets. Explore Leeds this May!
4. Printworks, Manchester
Nearest station: Manchester Victoria
Distance from train station: 3-minute walk
The Printworks is a must-see for anyone travelling through Manchester for shopping or sightseeing. The Printworks is the perfect location for an all-in-one building day out. With a range of pubs, bars, and eateries to pick from, as well as activities, there’s plenty to fill your day with at the Printworks.
One of the largest attractions is the 20-screen cinema, seating up to 2,000 people at once and showing all the latest blockbusters on Europe’s second-largest IMAX screen. Head into the centre on a whim; with Northern’s same-day cheaper tickets, you’ll be covered for travel no matter what. It’s the ideal way to enjoy a day out in Manchester.
5. Grosvenor Museum, Chester
Nearest station: Chester
Distance from train station: 20-minute walk
Soak up some history in one of Britain’s oldest cities at the Grosvenor Museum. With new exhibitions arriving throughout the year, alongside permanent displays on the city’s natural history and Roman past, there’s always something new to discover.
Don’t miss the recreated Victorian rooms, where you can step inside a beautifully preserved 19th-century home and see what life was like in Chester over 100 years ago. Better yet, it’s just a short walk from Chester station, making it an easy addition to your day trip by train.
Head along to the museum at your leisure with a Northern anytime ticket to avoid restricting your day out in Chester.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.