Northern Explorer Ticket

08:02am - Catch a train from Liverpool Lime Street to Newton-le-Willows and transfer to the 09:01am train to Hebden Bridge.

9:50am - Arrive at Hebden Bridge in the Upper Calder Valley and browse its independent coffee shops such as The Excited Goat , serving up frothy cappuccinos, creme brulee lattes, pancakes, and much more. After fueling your morning, browse Hebden's independent shops, full of character, it's a great chance to find something locally made and unique. 

11:14am - Returning to the station, catch the 11:14am train to Leeds and enjoy views of the Calder Valley towards Halifax and Bradford before reaching Leeds, where a good connection can be made onto the 12:36pm train to Harrogate (arriving at 13:11pm).

13:11pm - Arriving in Harrogate just in time for lunch, you'll find plenty of options such as the well-known Betty's Coffee House. A fashionable Spa town, Harrogate also has plenty of stunning architecture that's sure to make a great backdrop for photos. Visit sights such as the Turkish Baths, only a 3-minute walk from Betty's, or the Royal Pump Room Museum just a 6-minute walk away.

14:50pm - Catch the train back to Leeds, arriving at 15:28pm, where you can connect onto the 15:58pm train to Preston, which will take you back across the Pennines by a different route to your outward journey, including a climb up to Copy Pit Summit near the boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire offering great views of the surrounding area.

17:38pm - The train from Leeds arrives into Preston at 1738, which gives a good connection into the 1828 train back to Liverpool, serving Wigan and St Helens before arriving into Lime Street at 1918.

07:57am - Take the train from Manchester Victoria station to Bradford Interchange, arriving at 08:55am and transferring onto the 09:08am train to York.

09:57am - Arrive at York train station, a beautiful place with many attractions and the City Walls being easily accessible from the station, giving great views of the magnificent York Minster. Plus, there are plenty of places by the station to stop for a morning coffee, pastry or roll too such as the independent Brew & Brownie.

11:41am - Take the train to Bridlington, which affords great views of the Humber Bridge as it passes close to Hull, arriving in Bridlington at 13:44pm.

13:44pm - Arrive in Bridlington, where you can enjoy some fish and chips near Bridlington’s bustling harbour before returning to the station to catch the 14:57pm train to Selby.

16:24pm - Arrive at Selby train station and take a quick 7-minute walk to witness its fine abbey. Walk back to the station to catch the 15:49pm train to Halifax, arriving at 17:03pm, which gives a good connection onto your final train of the day at 17:16pm for Manchester Victoria arriving back at 18:02pm.

08:15am - Take the train from Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly, enjoying the wonderful scenery of the Hope Valley in the Peak District along the way.

9:32am - Take in a bit of Manchester. Grab a drink and snack at Moose Coffee or grab a hot brew to fuel the next leg of your journey, the 10:27am train from Manchester Oxford Road to Southport.

11:43am - Arrive at the seaside where there's lots to do; maybe have a look at the historic iron pier, a stroll around the Marine Lake, or simply some time exploring the shops and restaurants in the town. Plus, being at the seaside there’s bound to be some fish and chips to complete the visit!

14:30pm - After enjoying lunch and a nice day out by the shore, grab any last-minute snacks for your scenic return journey. The return takes a different route from the outward one. Catch the 14:30pm train to Manchester Victoria, arriving at 15:49pm. From there, catch the 16:21pm train to Leeds, which travels via the Calder Valley, serving towns such as Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, and Halifax before continuing via Bradford, arriving in Leeds at 17:42pm.

18:04pm - From Leeds its a direct train back to Sheffield via Wakefield and Barnsley, leaving at 18:04pm and arriving at 19:05pm. Sheffield trains are approximately half hourly from Leeds, so if you’d like to enjoy an evening in Leeds before heading home, there are plenty of later trains to choose from. 

Looking for more travel inspo from Sheffield? See what a car-free day in the gorgeous Goyt Valley could entail or two days car-free in Hope Valley.

8:18am* - First, take a train from Leeds to Skipton (departures at 0818, 0826 and 0854)* for a journey which follows the River Aire and takes around 40-45 minutes.

Enjoy a stroll around this attractive market town known as The Gateway to the Dales, which has the Leeds and Liverpool canal passing through the heart of it. For more time in Skipton, visit the impressive Skipton Castle.

10:57am - Catch the 10:57am Morecambe train from Skipton station, alighting at Lancaster at 12:22pm. This railway line is sometimes referred to as the Little North Western Railway, passing through attractive towns with wonderful views such as Bentham and Wennington

12:22pm - Lancaster is a substantial city. Perched atop a hill, the medieval Lancaster Castle (yes, another one!) is brimming with history that's a treasure to explore and also offers great views of the River Lune. Lancaster City Museum features displays on the city’s history and its army regiment, allowing you to discover more of the city's intriguing past.

15:03pm - Head back to the train station in time to catch the 15:03pm train to Grange-over-Sands.

15:28pm - Arrive in Grange-over-Sands. This is a quiet, charming Edwardian and Victorian seaside town in Cumbria, England, located on the Cartmel Peninsula overlooking Morecambe Bay. Known for its mild climate, ornamental gardens, and a mile-long promenade, it offers a peaceful retreat near the Lake District with independent shops, cafes and scenic coastal walks. 

17:25pm - Return to the station in time to catch the 17:25pm train to Preston.

18:09pm - Arrive in Preston, which is on the north bank of the River Ribble and is the administrative centre for the county of Lancashire. The city retains many fine buildings with historic connections. 

18:44pm - Take the final train from Preston back to Leeds, arriving in Leeds at either 20:28pm. The scenic route follows the East Lancashire line until just before Burnley, where it then climbs into the hills up to Copy Pit Summit, giving fine views across the area before crossing the border into West Yorkshire near Todmorden. The line then heads through Hebden Bridge, Halifax and Bradford before returning to Leeds.

08:07am - Catch the train to Hartlepool (arriving at 08:46am) where you can enjoy a stroll around the nearby harbour and view HMS Trincomalee, a preserved ship and historic landmark. 

9:47am - Return to the station to catch the train to Middlesbrough (arriving at 10:14am) and transfer to the 10:29am train to the charming coastal town of Saltburn, arriving by the seaside at 10:54am. There, enjoy a walk by the seafront and experience the UK's oldest water-balanced funicular cliff tramway which can be used to reach the promenade and pier. The Italian Gardens in the heart of Valley Woods and Valley Gardens Tea Rooms are also worth a visit.

12:26pm - After exploring and enjoying some refreshments, catch the 12:26pm train to Shildon in County Durham.

13:41pm - Arrive in Shildon in County Durham, where you can visit “Locomotion”, a railway exhibition venue reflecting Shildon’s contribution to the development of railways.

15:59pm - Catch the 15:59pm train to Thornaby (arriving at 16:42pm) where you can get the 16:49pm train back to Newcastle, arriving at 17:52pm.

OR (instead of the Shildon route)

After some refreshments or maybe some fish and chips, catch the 12:46pm train to the County Durham market town of Bishop Auckland (arriving at 12:47pm). There you can explore the town’s medieval roots, visit its magnificent palace and chapel and enjoy a slice of cake at Bishop's Kitchen Cafe. 

To return, catch the 15:53pm train to Darlington (arriving at 16:19pm) where you can get the connecting 16:34pm train back to Newcastle, arriving at 17:00pm

Enjoy the vibrant Yorkshire coastline with this day out to two of its popular resorts.

08:44am - Catch the train from York to Hull (arriving at 09:54am), then get the 10:21am train to Filey arriving at 11:25am. 

11:25am - Head to Filey Bay which offers a stunning five-mile beach and a blend of natural beauty and traditional seaside charm. For the energetic, a walk to the 20-metre-high narrow peninsula of Filey Brigg offers marvellous views along the coast from its dramatic rocky limestone and sandstone cliffs.

13:15pm - Return to Filey station and catch the 13:15pm train to Bridlington arriving at 13:38pm. 

13:38pm - Bridlington has two award-winning beaches, North Beach with the dramatic cliffs of Flamborough Head as a backdrop and South Beach, which has a longer stretch of golden sand. Between the two lies the town’s busy harbour, a living reminder of the town’s rich fishing heritage. The harbour is both a working port and the ideal place to enjoy fish and chips whilst watching the activities on the water. 

There's plenty to see and do outside of the beach as well. Head to the Bridlington Animal Park, a family owned business where you can see a range of birds of prey, 

16:00pm - Having enjoyed your day at the seaside, it’s time to return to the station to catch the 16:00pm direct train back to York (arriving 18:01pm) to complete your day out.

Looking for more Yorkshire travel ideas? Visit North Yorkshire offers plenty of itineraries and inspiration.

Catch the 08:48am train from Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central arriving at 9:15 am or if travelling from Sheffield the 9:14am train arriving at 10:01am. 

9:20-10am - Arriving in New Mills Central from either Manchester or Sheffield you'll be treated to a range of things to do. Explore independent shops to find some unique goodies and stop for breakfast at a local coffee shop, such as On The Bridge Cafe.

11:30am - Head to the New Mills Heritage Centre to learn more about the local history and walk along the stunningly scenic Millenium Walkway offering beautiful riverside views and a look at Torrs Gorge. 

12:30pm - Stop for a spot of lunch at a nearby cafe or restaurant such as A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana, a short walk from the Millenium Walkway. 

13:28pm - Arrive at the New Mills Newtown station to catch the 13:28pm train to Whaley Bridge.

13:35pm -  Arriving in Whaley Bridge, explore the gorgeous Peak Forest Canal and stunning views of the Peak District, grab a mid-day coffee, and explore its independent shops. 

14:33pm - After approximately an hour of exploring, catch the 14:33pm to Chapel-en-le-Frith.

14:40pm - Explore the adorable and historic town Chapel-en-le-Frith and take its Old Town Trail to explore its historic centre. Golfers might also enjoy the town's picturesque 18-hole golf course. 

16:41pm - Catch the 16:41pm train to Buxton.

16:53pm - Arriving just before 17:00pm, Buxton is your final stop before the train home, giving you the whole evening to explore. Browse the area's gorgeous Victorian architecture, enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant or bistro such as Lubens, and consider a spa-stop or even a show at Buxton Opera House. 

If travelling back to Manchester catch the 20:13pm, 21:14pm, or 21:59pm train, a direct journey taking approximately an hour.

If travelling back to Sheffield catch the 20:13pm or 21:14pm back to New Mills where you can then transfer to a train for Sheffield, with the return journey taking approximately 1 hour 45mins - 2 hours.

For a more in-depth version of this itinerary and other days out in the Peak District, visit Visit Peak District.

1. One-day tickets are available every day for travel on any single day. Two-, three- and four-day tickets must be used on consecutive days.

2. Tickets can be purchased 11 months in advance of travel and up until the day of travel.

3. Multi-person tickets cover all passengers on a single ticket and require all passengers to travel together.

4. Tickets valid at any time weekdays and weekends.

5. Prices are set out in the table below. Children aged 5–15 (inclusive) travel at half price. The half-price child discount cannot be applied to a multi-person ticket where an adult fare is included.