10 Best Day Trips from Manchester for Nature, History and Fun

Manchester has a lot going for it, including being perfectly placed for incredible day trips. Only an hour or two away, there are places that offer a completely different experience to the big city's buzz. Ancient walls and grand estates. Rolling hills and peaceful forests. The charm of the seaside. Whatever you’re into, a wonderful adventure awaits nearby. Travelling solo? Check. Planning a family outing? Check. Looking for a romantic escape? Again, check. Read on for our guide to 10 unforgettable day trips from Manchester.

This city in North Yorkshire, accessible in about 80 minutes from Manchester by train, may be most famous for its majestic medieval minster with its panoramic views, but York has plenty more to offer. First up, at 3.4 kilometres, the walls around York are the longest medieval town walls in the country. Then there is the Shambles, a timbered shopping street from the 13th century, which is believed to have inspired some of the sets in the film adaptation of Harry Potter. Not to mention the neighbourhood's excellent market and food court. Want to experience the Viking age? Visit JORVIK Viking Centre. Love trains? Go to the National Railway Museum. Or simply enjoy an entertaining sightseeing cruise on the River Ouse.

If the UK's best zoo was the only attraction in this historic town near the England-Wales border, it would already be worth visiting, but Chester – an hour's drive from Manchester down the M56 – has so much more to give. History buffs will love the city's cathedral and the Roman walls, which have stood for over two millennia. The town is also home to the country's largest Roman amphitheatre. If you're looking for a great shopping experience, you'll be just as impressed: head to the centre and stroll along the Chester Rows, covered walkways at the first-floor level, with shops and businesses beneath and behind them.

Though this lovely beach is closer to Liverpool, it's still only a 90-minute train ride from Manchester Piccadilly. Far more than a typical seaside experience, Crosby Beach offers stunning views of the Wirral Peninsula and North Wales, as well as some of the finest sunsets in all of England – perfect for couples. The coastline is also famous for an art installation of 100 haunting cast-iron figures that stretches almost a kilometre into the sea.

Right in the centre of the Peak District National Park, Buxton is a thermal spa town, but one that promises much more than just relaxation for the body. Given the wealth of things you can do in town, expect it to refresh your mind and soul, too. Music lovers can spend a wonderful evening at Buxton Opera House, architecture aficionados should take the Buxton Heritage Trail, while those who prefer natural wonders mustn't miss the guided tour in Poole's Cavern, a 2-million-year-old limestone cave with fascinating formations. And all of this is only an hour away from Manchester.

In less than 40 minutes, you can take a train from Manchester Victoria to this charming town in West Yorkshire, which won the national Best Small Market Town award in 2016. Hebden Bridge has a reputation as something of a bohemian paradise, thanks to the influence of all the artists that flocked to the town in the 1970s-80s. The town embraces its artistic spirit and invites you to discover artisan shops, gorgeous galleries and charming pavement cafés. Want to see something a little quirky? Stroll along Rochdale Canal, where you'll find colourful canal boats lining the peaceful waterway.

If you've watched the 2005 film version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, you've already seen a bit of Chatsworth as it was Mr Darcy's residence – but that's not quite the same as seeing it live, in all its majestic glory, is it? This stunning stately home in Derbyshire, about a 90-minute drive from Manchester, is an excellent example of the grand English country estate. The house contains one of Europe's most significant private art collections, and the 40-hectare garden has a pond, water features, a Victorian rock garden and a greenhouse. Splendour wherever you look – but your children may be more interested in the farmyard animals, racing slides and climbing towers at Chatsworth Farmyard & Playground.

• Bakewell DE45 1PP
• Opening times vary, but the house is typically open 10:30am-4:30pm
• Under 2 hours by car from Manchester via the A6 and A623

Calling all science enthusiasts! Your perfect day trip from Manchester is in a field in Cheshire where you can explore outer space. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jodrell Bank is a must-visit for anyone who's ever gazed up at the stars, wondering what's out there. Your questions about the cosmos will be answered here by interactive exhibits, projections and artefacts, displayed in four pavilions, one of which has a planetarium-style auditorium. And with the help of the 76-metre Lovell Telescope, you can even listen to the sounds of black holes.

• Bomish Ln, Cheshire, Macclesfield SK11 9DW
• Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
• 50-minute drive from Manchester via the A5103

Cheshire has many great destinations for a day trip from Manchester, and Tatton Park is one of the unmissable ones. It's a spectacular 405-hectare historic estate just outside Knutsford, with plenty to see. There's a Neoclassical mansion with a collection of over 14,000 items set in 20 hectares of gardens, including a stunning 100-year-old Japanese Garden. But the Pleasure Grounds may well become your favourite, with its lovely spots designed for enjoyment and recreation. Take a picnic to nibble on while you're gazing at the lush landscape, but note that alcohol and barbeques are not permitted.

• Cheshire, Knutsford WA16 6QN
• Opening times vary according to season. In high season (April to October), most attractions are open daily 10am-6pm
• 40-minute drive from Manchester via the M56

While nearby Blackpool's lively tourist scene is perennially popular, if you're looking for a traditional British seaside experience on a day trip from Manchester, this Lancashire town is your best bet. You can drive there in about an hour and 20 minutes, to be greeted by miles of sandy beaches with a Victorian pier and colourful beach huts. Lytham also has an iconic windmill, while St Annes is home to the lovely Ashton Gardens. You can also practice your swings at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, a premier golf course that has hosted two Ryder Cups.

This woodland wonderland, located in the middle of the Cheshire Plain, makes for another memorable day trip from Manchester. Best accessed by car and far from the usual crowds, the forest is a perfect escape to unwind. It has trails for all skill levels, a hike with views of Liverpool's skyline and peaceful spots by the lake in Blakemere Moss where you can enjoy watching wildlife. And if you feel like an adrenaline rush, you can have that too: outdoor adventure company Go Ape organises treetop activities for visitors of all ages.

• Frodsham WA6 6NB
• 1h 15 min from Manchester via the M56

Manchester is undoubtedly a great destination, with plenty to do if you're there just for the weekend, and a whole lot more just outside the city limits. Time to grab your day bag and visit all sorts of magical places that are just a short drive or train ride away!