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By broadening your horizons a little and digging out comfortable walking footwear, there’s a range of fantastic attractions just a short stroll from most stations. A walk is not only great exercise but also wakes you up after a relaxing train ride, so whether you’re after a family day out or just want to get away from it all, check out our top 15 attractions. 

01. Whitby Abbey, Whitby

Atmospheric and beautiful, the soaring ruins of Whitby Abbey gaze out over the town and the sea below. The hills are often shrouded in sea mist, adding to the Gothic ambience and bringing Bram Stoker’s Dracula to life once more. 

With a museum, wide-open spaces and a charming town to explore, wander through history, surrounded by tales of Vikings and Vampires. Whitby offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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02. Three Sisters Race Circuit, Wigan

With a wide range of adrenaline-fuelled activities, the Three Sisters Race Circuit offers a great day out, whether you’re a petrolhead or not. From karting, and car drifting, to laser combat and bike attack days, race round one of the UK’s most challenging circuits. Compete against friends, enjoy an exciting time on the tarmac, or watch the pros racing - or all three!

03. Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

Managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the Martin Mere Wetland Centre offers a chance to forget the hassles of life and immerse yourself in a natural paradise. Interesting talks, fun tours - including by boat or canoe, and the interactive Wild Walk, taking you deep into the heart of the Wetlands, past the world’s largest bug hotel - there are many great activities to take part in here. 

Visit the flamingoes and storks, and enjoy feeding the cute, playful otter family before heading for the zip wire and tree top adventure playground. Finish with a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant before wandering back to the train. 

04. Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland

Looking over the gently meandering River Wear, Auckland Castle has played important roles in the history of the region. Once the set of the mighty Prince Bishops of Durham, they ruled from the castle across vast swathes of North East England. 

Beautifully preserved by The Auckland Project, its staterooms in their original Gothic glory are a must-see for any history buff. Designed by the renowned architect, James Wyatt, they rival any of the stately castles in Europe for splendour and richness. Outside, the 17th-century Walled Garden is lovingly cared for and offers an enchanting glimpse of how life was. Still producing food for the on-site cafe, enjoy a relaxing break before heading for the Spanish Gallery, and much more besides.

05. Alnwick Castle, Alnwick

You may recognise Alnwick Castle and its adjoining gardens from its many starring roles on screen, including as Hogwarts in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and more recently, Transformers: The Last Knight.

Currently the seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle was constructed soon after the Battle of Hastings in the 11th century and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK. It has been at the heart of many conflicts - the Battle of Shrewsbury saw the castle surrendered to King Henry IV; it was a Lancastrian stronghold during the Wars of the Roses and suffered large areas of damage during the English Civil War.

Now restored to its former glory, the castle offers a number of fun activities once you’ve explored the opulent staterooms, including archery and broomstick training in the very spot where Harry Potter learned to fly. 

The gardens surrounding Alnwick Castle are famous in their own right, with fountains, an impressive treehouse complex and one of the country’s few poison gardens. The nearby cafe is the perfect place to relax. 

06. Southport Model Railway Village, Southport

Designed and built in 1995, the Southport Model Railway Village is an amazing feat of dedication and attention to detail. The UK’s first and one of its largest model railway villages, the miniature landscape is perfectly proportioned for the G-gauge train tracks, rolling stock and infrastructure, and covers almost 2 acres. 

A watermill sits on the banks of the natural pond, fed by the river that flows through the village, while a grand manor house overlooks the inhabitants as they go about their business. The railway has up to five LGB trains running at once, and visitors can follow their favourite engine as it travels through the rolling countryside. 

The miniature world delivers a fantastic day out, and there's so much to see here whether you’re a train fanatic or not.  

07. Worden Park, Leyland

A hidden gem, Worden Park covers over 60 hectares of open parkland, wildlife-rich meadows, and shady mature woodland. Until fire destroyed it in 1941, Worden House stood at the centre of the Park, with the surviving buildings now home to an Arts and Crafts centre. There are plenty of attractions within the parkland, too, including a fun adventure playground, miniature railway, and a simply stunning Georgian walled garden, featuring a popular hedge maze. 

With natural lakes, an arboretum and a charming cafe, Worden Park offers a fantastic day out for everyone. 

08. The Alabaster Jar, Chorley

Pottery is not only useful - mugs, bowls, teapots and so on, but can be a piece of artwork in its own right, and here at The Alabaster Jar, you can create a one-off masterpiece.

Enjoy coffee and cake while designing and painting something to treasure forever, or a special gift for a loved one. Once fired, your creative genius will be preserved for all to admire!

Adults and kids can make personalised decorative and functional ceramic pieces at The Alabaster Jar, and have fun doing so. 

09. Avenham Park, Preston

Running along the beautiful River Ribble, Avenham Park is arguably one of the finest Victorian parks in England. A myriad of walks wind through lush woods, grasslands and stunning water features. The famous Japanese Garden is perfect for breathing in the still serenity of the flora and fauna, the Colonade encourages you to wander under its arching trees, and why not dip your toes in the cool, refreshing river as you explore its banks?

  • Entry free
  • 5 minutes walk from Preston station
  • https://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/avenham-and-miller-parks-p19100

10. Walking Tour, Liverpool

Experience the story of this diversely cosmopolitan city on foot, getting right to the heart of its history. Meeting the tour at Pier Head, you be given an in-depth tour through the streets and buildings of the Royal Albert Dock, see the famous Royal Liver Building, the Town Hall and more. With tales of real Liverpudlians, your tour will bring the richness of Liverpool to life. 

11. Roker Beach, Sunderland

Roker Beach is one of the hidden gems of the northeast coast. Also known as Whitburn South, this wide, sweeping stretch of golden sand has been awarded a Blue Flag for safety, cleanliness and environmental care. 

The lifeguard service ensures the safety of all who use the beach, and there are other fun activities in the area, including a boating lake, model railway and watersports, such as canoeing and kayaking. The beach is popular with families, windsurfers and walkers, with dolphins often spotted in the waves.

12. Quayside, Newcastle

With the glorious River Tyne flowing through the middle, the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside is cool, chic and cosmopolitan - cafe culture at its very best. Celebrating Newcastle’s industrial past, the original architecture blends seamlessly with steel, glass and ultra-modern design. 

Fine dining restaurants, global street food stalls, and craft breweries tantalise your taste buds, while live music, artisanal crafts and art galleries cater to your creative side. There is just so much going on along the river banks - you won’t want to leave.

13. The Northumberland Coast

Disembarking from the train at Alnmouth station, you can take numerous walks, but the most popular and well-known is the Northumberland Coast Path. It stretches for over 60 miles along the beautiful and rugged coast from, in the north, Berwick-upon-Tweed to Cresswell in the south. 

Best enjoyed on foot, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is rich in biodiversity, and you might spot puffins, ospreys, seals and even humpback whales. Goats and deer wander wild, and the striking dipper can be seen darting around the many waterways you’ll come across. 

14. The Vindolanda Trust, Hexham

Travel back in time with the Vindolanda Trust and experience life as a Roman centurion posted to uncivilised Britain. Originally the site of an auxiliary fort, the area was occupied between about 85 AD to 370 AD. With a fascinating archaeological dig uncovering newly found relics every day, an on-site museum and experts to bring it all to life, Vindolanda offers a chance to march with one of the greatest ever armies, become Emperor for the day or learn Roman crafts. 

15. Wild Intrigue, Thorneyburn

Set on a beautiful rural glamping site in the heart of the Northumberland National Park, Wild Intrigue offer magical nature-inspired experiences. With Kielder Forest nearby, under the velvet blanket of Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park, cosy campfires and the delicious smell of pizzas greet you, and bats surf the skies above. 

Wild Intrigue’s Bats and Pizza night is just one of their many wildlife adventures, and although the glamping site provides a warm, comfortable welcome, if you just fancy an evening under the stars, this is a perfect choice.

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