Best places to visit in September

1. Leeds City Museum, Leeds

Nearest station: Leeds

Distance from station: 10-minute walk

Leeds City Museum takes you through time teaching you how Leeds became what it is today. From inventions that have helped on a global scale, like Smeaton’s Lighthouse and the first-ever selfie. The museum puts on local community-led exhibitions that showcase the pride and joy of Leeds: its people. The museum is also home to the Ancient Worlds Gallery, detailing the lives and civilisations of people a millenia ago.

Plan a great afternoon out with Northern and get to Leeds City Museum for less with our advanced tickets.

Visit Leeds City Museum

2. Baltic Market, Liverpool

Nearest station: Liverpool Central

Distance from station: 23-minute walk

Renowned as Liverpool’s first street-food market, the Baltic Market serves up piping-hot plates of delicious food throughout the week and has a regular rotation of local food stalls for you to sample at your discretion. The market claims to be able to satisfy even the fussiest eaters around with food ranging from wood-fired pizzas to delicious burgers to delightful puddings. Giving the Baltic Market a try will be sure to leave you and your partner stuffed.

Plan your perfect foodie date with Northern and get cheaper travel with your bestie on a duo ticket.

Visit the Baltic Market

3. Knowsley Safari, Prescot    

Nearest station: Prescot

Distance from station: 28-minute walk or 19-minute bus ride

Take a walk on the wild side this September at Knowsley Safari, offering a fun and unique way to get involved with nature. Experience the safari by foot, car, or bus, with all ways accessible and perfect for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The safari itself is home to a wide range of animals, from the king of the jungle, the tiger, to nature’s chillest animals, the capybara. You can take the park at your own pace or stop by one of the regular exhibitions showcasing the animals.

Experience some of nature’s most exotic animals with your loved ones at Knowsley Safari and save on travel with a family ticket from Northern. 

Visit Knowsley Safari

4. Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland

Nearest station: Bishop Auckland

Distance from station: 18-minute walk

Almost 1,000 years old, Auckland Castle isn’t actually a castle. Instead, it is considered to be one of the oldest and best-preserved bishop’s palaces in Europe. Once a seat of power in England, ruling over the North East, the palace has been restored to its former glory with the original colours and ornaments adorning the walls. Journey through time as each restored room represents a different moment in the palace’s storied history. 

Keep your schedule open with an anytime ticket from Northern and head on over to one of England’s most historically influential seats of power.

Visit Auckland Castle

5. Maritime Museum, Hull

Nearest station: Hull

Distance from train station: 8-minute walk

Housed within the old Hull Dock Office building, the Maritime Museum showcases 800 years of local seafaring, fishing and trading history. 

After undergoing a £20.4 million transformation, the museum has reopened from 8th August 2026 and now features 50% more objects on display and expanded galleries, making it a great choice for a fun day out in September.

Entry to the museum is free, and you can book tickets in advance to beat the queues. Make your day easier with a same-day ticket from Northern, available for purchase up to 15 minutes before departure.

Visit the Hull Maritime Museum

September events in the North

There are plenty of fun events taking place in September that are worth bookmarking on your calendar!

Laughterama: 2nd to 6th September

Up for a laugh? Manchester's biggest open-air comedy festival returns from 2nd to 6th September, featuring major headliners and some upcoming breakthrough acts. The event takes place at Castlefield Bowl, which is only a quick 7-minute walk from Deansgate train station.

Cheshire Fashion Week: 4th to 5th September

If fashion's more your thing, then why not visit Chester this September? Watch on as Chester Cathedral is transformed into the North's biggest fashion week, showcasing runway trends, exclusive showrooms, and exhibitions. Chester Cathedral is only a 17-minute walk from Chester train station, making it a great day out.

Blackpool Illuminations switch-on: 4th September

There's no event in September more iconic than the annual light display kick-off along the Promenade in Blackpool! With Five set to headline alongside rock quintet The Feeling and singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan, this free outdoor event is not one to miss. Set on the Tower Festival Headland, it is a 18-minute walk from Blackpool North train station.

Art in the Gardens 2026:5th to 6th September

One of the largest art events in the North is back again this year at Sheffield Botanical Gardens! After a 19-minute tram ride from Sheffield train station, you can spend a day discovering premier artists, exploring sculptures on the lawns and enjoying some locally sourced food and drinks. 

The Great North Run: 13th September

This exciting race returns, with 63,000 runners expected to take on the 13.1-mile route. Whether you're taking part or cheering the participants on, you can make your day even more stress-free by travelling with Northern using our train travel guide. 

York Food Festival: 18th to 27th September

Explore York's food scene with the Food Festival, running from 18th to 27th September. With around 70 stalls on offer, indulge in the best local and regional artisans Yorkshire has to offer.

Find out more about local music festivals and events in the North today.

Ready to make your plans?

Enjoy a day out discovering the best the North has to offer in September. Make it even easier by travelling with Northern and save up to 60% when you book your travel ahead with an advance ticket.