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August is the perfect time for a summer day out or getaway. The weather is (likely to be) glorious, and what’s more, you can enjoy all the luscious green landscapes by train as all our suggestions are sustainably accessible! Whether you’re bringing the kids or seeking some peace and quiet we are sure you’ll find your next adventure on our list.

Here are our top 10 favourites!

01. Carlisle Castle, Cumbria

First up is the iconic Carlisle Castle. This imposing structure is built on the site of an old Roman fort, and if that’s not impressive enough it is the same castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by her cousin Elizabeth I. Carlisle Castle is steeped in history and you can enjoy learning all about the notable people who have lived there, the myths and legends surrounding the castle, and even take a walk through King Richard III’s bedroom! After all that excitement you can relax in the cafe and enjoy award-winning coffee before browsing the on-site military museum. 

carlisle castle in cumbria

02. Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve & Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds

Nestled just outside the heart of Leeds city centre lies the beautiful Kirkstall Valley. You can traverse wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands to discover a variety of flora and fauna, including the elusive kingfisher! Kirkstall Valley comes alive in the summer and is the perfect spot for birdwatching, a long walk, or a nice picnic. Kirkstall Abbey lies to the north and is accessible by a nice walk or by jumping back on the train and heading to Headingley station, where the Abbey is a short walk away. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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03. Beacon Country Park, Wigan

With over 300 acres of luscious green landscape to enjoy, Beacon Country Park is the perfect spot to explore this August. The vibrant wildflower meadows and many ponds and woodlands are interspersed with expansive views over the Lancashire Plain and the Pennine Moors. VWhen visiting the park you can enjoy many activities and amenities such as the community orchard, orienteering courses, nature trails, and lovely picnic areas. Furthermore, the park offers a ranger service, a junior rangers club, and a golf course, so there is something here for the whole family.

04. Ravenglass Roman Bath House, Cumbria

Ravenglass is home to some remarkable Roman ruins, including a fort dating back to the year 130 AD. The fort is one of the tallest surviving Roman buildings in Britain and the bath house ruins are evidence that the Romans once occupied the space. The fort has links to Hadrian’s fleet and is steeped in history. What’s more you can take a cruise down the nearby lake to reach the Stott Park Bobbin Mill, which offers insights into life during the industrial revolution, for a truly historic day out!

05. South Bay Beach, Scarborough

Scarborough has some of North England’s best beaches, with miles of sandy coastline to dig your toes into! It’s perfect for building sandcastles with the kids, or a spot of sunbathing in the August heat. There are even several rock pools where you can find crabs and other sea critters. However, if you’re looking for something a little more secluded, then take a stroll down to Cornelian bay, which is just as picturesque but much less busy.

06. Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, South Yorkshire

For a giant adventure the whole family can enjoy head over to Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park. Named after the great literary hero from the novel Gulliver’s Travels, the park has been entertaining generations for over 40 years. There is loads to see and do here including theme park rides, rock climbing, dinosaur experiences, bush-craft workshops and much more! It’s sure to wear the kids out before the journey home, but if you want the adventure to continue Gulliver’s Valley offers lots of themed onsite accommodation.

07. Chester Roman Amphitheatre, Chester

Chester might just have the perfect August picnic spot with its impressive Roman Amphitheatre ruins. It is the largest of its kind in Britain and is often used for events and military re-enactments during the summertime. There are plenty of shops and takeaway restaurants nearby to grab some snacks and enjoy the sun. What’s more, there are other historical sites nearby which you can walk to including Chester Castle, the Grosvenor Museum, and the Roman Gardens.

08. Treasurer’s House, York

York has many historical sights to see, but top of our list has to be Treasurer’s House. This house was home to an eccentric owner and visitors can take a guided tour through the house to learn all about the colourful history of this house. What’s more, the luscious award-winning gardens offer a place to relax after all that walking around. There is also an onsite cafe for when you’ve worked up an appetite.

09. The Monastery, Manchester

Dubbed Manchester’s Taj Mahal, the Monastery is a truly world-class not-so-well-kept secret. It was even once visited by Prince Charles who claimed the atmosphere “lifts my spirits”. You can take an informative guided tour in which the history of the monastery is slowly revealed. Also not to be missed are the monastery’s gardens, which the building was designed around. The gardens make for a beautiful picnic spot at this time of year, but if you don’t fancy bringing your own food, then there is always the cafe with yummy homemade food to eat in or take-away. Furthermore, from Sunday to Thursday you can enjoy a one hour meditation between midday and 1pm, which is open to all and free to join.

10. Filey Pitch & Putt and Footgolf, North Yorkshire

Boasting expansive sea views, Filey Pitch & Putt makes for a memorable day out. The golf course is peaceful and beautiful offering maximum focus for your game. The 18-hole Parkland style course includes many obstacles but is suitable for families and professionals of all abilities. The course also offers foot golf in which the golf club is substituted for your feet! If that wasn’t enough fun for one day then Filey town centre is only a short walk away, and for those who fancy a golfing weekend there is the nearby Primrose Valley Caravan Park.

The North of England has a wealth of incredible sights to see, but our suggestions are all accessible by train which means you can leave the car at home and enjoy your day-out without the stress of traffic and parking, and without hurting the planet. Win-win! But don’t restrict yourself to just our suggestions, there are plenty more sights to see and explore all accessible via Northern Rail lines.

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Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.

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