Travel by Bus
Top 10 amazing days out by train and bus
The north of England has countless fun attractions and great places to visit, and some of the very best destinations are a little off the beaten track. You can discover a treasure trove of hidden gems by catching a train to the nearest station, followed by a bus ride. Whether you’re looking for a family day out, or some relaxing you time, let Northern take you there in style.
Check out our top 10 locations to travel to by bus:
01. Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool
Blackpool Zoo is home to one of the world’s largest collections of animals, including big cats, apes, and dinosaurs - yes, dinos live here too!
The zoo plays a vital role in conserving many species, helping preserve animals, such as orangutans, leopards and elephants, in their natural environments. Visitors to the zoo can support the projects by purchasing adoption packs, and sponsoring their favourite creature.
With opportunities to feed the penguins, meet the meerkats, and talk to the tapirs, Blackpool Zoo offers a fantastic day out for the whole family!
- Entry from - £15.99
- Nearest station - Blackpool North
- https://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk
02. Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark
Set on the banks of the magical Kielder Water, the Observatory takes advantage of the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, allowing you to see the skies without interference.
Research suggests that 85% of the UK never experiences genuinely dark skies, and this is a rare chance to see all the stars of the Milky Way, and marvel at the shadows cast by the planet Jupiter - one of the only places to see this phenomenon.
Offering a range of nighttime activities, including family events and more specialised experiences, enjoy learning at Battlesteads Observatory.
- Tickets from £19.50
- Nearest station - Hexham
- https://www.battlesteads.com/observatory
03. Beamish Museum, Beamish
Sending visitors back in time, Beamish is a living museum offering a unique experience.
Explore the 1900s colliery, take a ride on the old tramway around the village, or see life on a 1950 working farm. The world-famous open air museum has horse-drawn carriages, authentic shops and charming cafes offering delicious homebaked cakes. Take a walk through history at Beamish Museum - there’s so much to see and do here.
- Entry - free
- Nearest station - Chester-le-Street
- https://www.beamish.org.uk/
04. Haworth Village, West Yorkshire
Made famous by the literary sisters - the Brontës, Haworth village, and the surrounding moorland is where the family grew up. Charlotte, Emily, Anne and troubled brother Branwell, are part of Yorkshire’s history, and their lives are celebrated in the Brontë Parsonage Museum. Set in their former home, it houses original manuscripts of their famous works, including Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and the magical Wuthering Heights.
With hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, the village amenities include boutique shops, artisan bakeries, and plenty of places to stay. If you fancy exploring more Brontë Country, hop on the Keighley Worth Valley steam railway as it passes through Haworth en route to Oxenhope and enjoy a slower pace of life.
- Entry to the village is free, but the Bronte-related attractions have their own entry fees
- Nearest station - Keighley
- https://www.visitbradford.com/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=2186327
05. The Beatles Tour, Liverpool
Whether you’re a fan of the Fab Four, or just fancy a day out in Liverpool, this tour offers a fantastic insight into the city. You’ll visit all the places in the Beatles' story, including the boys’ childhood homes, Penny Lane, and Strawberry Fields. The tour also takes in locations that feature in the cult drama Peaky Blinders, and you’ll learn about the history, culture and other famous people that call Liverpool home.
- Prices from £15
- Nearest station - Liverpool Lime Street
- https://www.getyourguide.com/liverpool-l210/liverpool-beatles-explorer-bus-tour-ticket-t412994/
06. Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester
Chester Zoo delivers all-day fun with more than 128 acres to explore and over 20,000 animals to meet.
From big cats to tiny monkeys, giant giraffes to tiddly turtles, the zoo is packed with amazing creatures. Part of a wider conservation network, the zoo works towards establishing stable wild environments, sustainable local economies and successful breeding programmes, including for Asian elephants, black rhinos, and orangutans.
Explore tropical rainforests and Latin American lagoons, conquer the amazing Manado Play trail or eat with lemurs - you could easily spend weeks here and still not see everything!
- Entry from £22
- Nearest station - Chester
- https://www.chesterzoo.org/
07. Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton
Flamingo Land has something for everyone - an award-winning zoo, a theme park with lots of white knuckle rides and plenty more besides.
Enjoy first-hand fun with lemurs, penguins, giraffes, meerkats, and sea lions, or meet CBeebies' favourites, Peter Rabbit & Lily Bobtail. The rides include Mumbo Jumbo’s 112° vertical drop and Sik with its stomach-turning ten inversions, but there’s also a selection of children-friendly rides and Dino-Stone Park to explore.
- Entry from £27.50
- Nearest station - York
- https://www.flamingoland.co.uk
08. The Angel of the North, Gateshead
Designed by artist Antony Gormley, this award-winning landmark is internationally recognised. Gazing out from its panoramic hilltop since February 1998, there is nothing like it, and seeing it in person is awe-inspiring.
- Entry free
- Nearest station - Chester-le-Street
- https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/3957/Angel-of-the-North
09. Beatrix Potter Tour and Lake Cruise, Windermere
Explore the glorious Lake District, Beatrix Potter’s beloved country, on this tour of the hills and valleys around Lake Windermere. Hill Top Farm, where Potter created her magical characters, is undoubtedly the highlight, but she walked, wrote and painted throughout this whole region.
You’ll also visit Hawkshead, the village where famous poet William Wordsworth attended school, and enjoy a relaxing cruise across the picturesque Lake Windermere.
Touring some of the UK’s most glorious wild landscapes is an unforgettable experience that all ages will enjoy.
- Prices from £49
- Nearest station - Windermere
- https://www.mountain-goat.com/Lake-District/Scheduled-Tours/Beatrix-Potters-Favourite-Countryside
10.Hadrians Wall Tour, Carlisle
This fascinating tour of the impressive Hadrian’s Wall allows you to experience life in Roman Britain, when fear of the fierce men from the North was all-consuming.
You’ll see the 13th-century Lanercost Priory and Birdoswald Fort as you explore along the Walls’ length, visiting Vindolanda Fort and Museum, and taking in the stunning 360-degree views at Housesteads. Knowledgeable guides bring the past to life, sharing the local area's facts, stories, and secrets, delving deep into its rich heritage.
- Prices from £5
- Nearest station - Carlisle
- https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/explore/travel/hadrians-wall-bus-ad-122-p1212371
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