Top Things to do in North West England
Top Hotels in North West England
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Top 10 Outdoor Activities in North West England, England
Discover the best top things to do in North West England, United Kingdom including Great Gable, Haystacks, Catbells Lakeland Walk, Helvellyn, Helm Crag, Old Man of Coniston, Hallin Fell, Fairfield Horseshoe, High Cup Nick, Chester Zoo.
Restaurants in North West England
1. Great Gable
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By 181SimonB
This is a great circular walk which takes a little over 6 hours covering about 10 miles.We started from the farmers car park at Seathwaite taking in the waterfall of sour milk gill then into Gillercombe valley up onto Green Gable down windy gap and a scramble up to Great Gable coming back via Moses Trod and down to Honister then back to Seathwaite. Its a medium / Hard route so make sure you have the right equipment worth doing on a sunny day for the amazing views.
2. Haystacks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Kev-and-Carmel - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Completed this hike today..as someone who.is overweight and not very fit I did struggle on the way up.. but taking regular breaks and breathers til I got my breath back helped a lot.. once I got to the top I was absolutely amazed by the views.. well worth the ascent.. the path is quite a difficult terrain to walk on.. very rocky and my foot slipped a few times.. there is quite a lot of scrambling and lowering yourself down rock faces ect (loved that bit). Once you start heading down it's quite sore on ur knees and feet.. All and all I thoroughly enjoyed my first proper hike.. if ur a beginner like me you will struggle but not enough u won't be able to complete the walk.. brilliant xxx
3. Catbells Lakeland Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,648 reviews
Reviewed By gburge - Basingstoke, United Kingdom
Who doesn’t visit Cat Bells when visiting Keswick or its surrounding villages. I lovely climb with a lovely view from Newlands or ascend via Little Town to Hause Gate and also visit Maiden Moor or even do a ridge route horse show and descend via Robinson’s for the more experienced walker.
4. Helvellyn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 280 reviews
This is England's 3rd highest mountain at 3,118 feet.
Reviewed By sjh1404 - Weston super Mare, United Kingdom
This was our first attempt at climbing this awe inspiring peak. We took the route from Glenridding with a planned figure of eight taking in Striding Edge, the Summit, Swirrals Edge and then skirting Red Tarn to return close to Patterdale and Lanty’s Tarn back to Glenridding. The weather was beautiful and the scenery unsurpassed. I must stress that Striding Edge is a challenge and should not be undertaken lightly. It is a climb where you will be looking for foot and handholds but so worth it. I am not a super fit experienced hiker so if I can manage it then most people can and the sense of achievement is a great incentive to keep going. There are plenty of other routes to the summit of this, the third highest peak in England, so it caters for all abilities. One hiker we met on the descent had undergone a double knee replacement and was putting us all to shame. Give this a go. Check the weather. Take plenty of water and wear the right footwear. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
5. Helm Crag
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 316 reviews
Reviewed By davidbF4980XR - Corby, United Kingdom
Decided to do Helm Crag walk as its reviews were encouraging, so we set off up the lane opposite the bookshop this is located on the main road on right hand side , drive most of the way through village there is a signpost for toilets by bookshop or park in village and walk up main road , we did this, so walk up the lane they says Easedale tarn you will come to a signpost that says Easedale tarn and Helm Crag (lamb and lion walk ) turn right here and follow road until you come to footpath to mountain on right hand side, then it’s uphill all the way , now we’re not the fittest but the climb isn’t too bad but it does open up your lungs by the time you get to the top , there are a few spots on way up to take in the stunning view and when you get to the top you’re rewarded with stunning views, there is a grassed area to rest and picnic , note there is two summits lion and lamb a few meters apart so lion first then moved on to lamb , on descent we followed on over lamb you can see footpath from summit forks some meters ahead , so descend and when you get to fork , take right hand track through fern this is a very pleasing descent zig zagging down mountain until you come to a tarmac road follow down until you come to rocks at road junction to stop cars going up to farm turn right here and follow road back to Grasmere you’ll come out onto lane by goody bridge , yay your back , took about 3 1/2 hrs we were slow due to the wife holding us back but you could do in 3 I’m sure , thoroughly enjoyed though may be stiff as a board in the morning ???????? .
6. Old Man of Coniston
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 637 reviews
Reviewed By russellnicholson997 - Northolt, United Kingdom
This Famous Lake District Mountain, has a Unique place in the Hearts of Many Walkers and is in Wainwrights Favourite Lakeland Mountains,for Good reason....it Towers over the Tiny Lakeland village of Coniston... it's rich Mining industry is another Very Good reason to Walk this particular Peak....There are a Number of Routes up, through the Copper Mines Valley, which takes you through the Workings of the Copper Mines, and another Very Good route is Via The Walna Scar Road....it's possible to Walk right from the Village, although this route we Did ( is Very Steep) initially...The Track is well marked and Gently Zig Sags,as it Winds it's way up the Side of the Old Man......passing through the Truly Stunning Scene of the Slate/Mining Workings from Centuries ago ( PLEASE RESPECT THE FACT, THIS IS A HERITAGE SITE AND MANY ARTEFACTS FROM THAT PERIOD OF TIME ARE THERE TO BE SEEN) PLEASE RESPECT THIS AND DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING....Thank you.... as the Path Climbs ,you will pass Many old Shaft Entrances, they are Fascinating to Observe/Photograph, but PLEASE DON'T ENTER, most of the Major Entrances are Sealed off.... They are Extremely Dangerous..... and are not to be Entered.... as you Climb the Track,you will pass very Close to Low Water,one of the Tarns,which Supplied Water to give power to the Crushers,to enable Ore Extraction....The Scene is Breathtaking, as the Clods gently Lapping the Mountain sides, the sun's peeps through the clouds,lighting up the Azzure Blue sky.... the Summit is not far away now,where you will be Greeted by an Amazing Cairngorms,and the Trig point, lays just a few paces behind the main Cairn.... On Clear Days ( Sadly WE DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE VIEWS) on this Occasion, but Superb vistas ,far and Wide, to Grange over Sands ,Towards the Scafells, the Iconic peaks ( Highest in England) there are Exceptional Views of these Mountains from the Old Man.... PLEASE REMEMBER TO ENSURE THAT PROPER FOOTWEAR( WALKING BOOTS) Waterproofs,High Energy Snacks and Drinks....are Essential....And ALWAYS Check the Weather Forecast for the Mountain, the Night before ....Mountain Weather changes ,VERY Quickly......
7. Hallin Fell
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By paulsymonds - Haverhill, United Kingdom
Only my second Lakeland fell climb to date to me to Hallin Fell. We accessed the climb from the car park at St Peters church in Martindale. The little road that passes a few camp sites is driven from near Pooley bridge. Beware at busy times bank holidays being the main, the road is extremely difficult to navigate due volume of traffic and on one occasion a full sized coach manoeuvred along when we exited. Back to the climb, it is a very steep grassy track accessed on the opposite side of the road. With average fitness and resting you should make the summit in around half an hour. Believe me the views are magnificent in all directions. I loved it and I'm sure you will too, it's worth all the effort!
8. Fairfield Horseshoe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By RobbieBStockport
Like all Lakeland walks, one not to be underestimated even in good weather conditions. The path is easy to follow and usually a walker will have the company of many others enjoying the fells. The only steep ascent/descent depending on whether the walk is done clockwise or anti-clockwise overlooks Rydal Hall but in all other respects it is not a serious physical challenge for serious walkers. Whether a hiker would agree having experienced driving rain, low cloud, high winds and limited visibility especially when negotiating Fairfield itself is another matter!
9. High Cup Nick
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By lucyrhay - County Durham, United Kingdom
Absolutely brilliant walk. We parked in Dufton, where there’s a lovely pub called the Stag Inn which you can stop at for a drink either side of your walk. The path where you start your ascent isn’t far from here. When we read about the walk beforehand, we weren’t sure whether to attempt it because of the 4 hours suggested to complete it, as although we do lots of walks we’re not athletes and were worried this may be a bit too strenuous - shouldn’t have been worried at all. The first 45 or so minutes of the walk is the part where you climb the most - it’s very gradual and we managed it with only one stop for our sandwiches - we’re a pretty average level of fitness. There’s also a very clear, well established track, and although there’s small rocks there’s lots of grassy sections besides the rocks which are easier to walk on. After that it’s relatively flat and a really pleasant walk for another hour or so to the middle of the horseshoe. The valley coming into view is a great moment, and Hannah’s Well a bit further along is absolutely stunning - a waterfall that looks as though it runs straight off of the edge of the fell! My fiancé and myself didn’t look back to see the view at the end part until we’d reached the centre of the horseshoe, it was absolutely breathtaking and we can’t believe this is here. Absolute hidden gem! We walked back the same way (we normally like circular routes, which there is here I think, but we decided to stick to what we knew this time, and the view on the way back is just as stunning from a different perspective, and even the fields right at the start of the walk filled with sheep and ponies are beautiful). It took us a bit less time to walk back, and because it’s gradual it’s not a steep uncomfortable descent. Including a stop for a sandwich after the difficult part of the climb, a stop at the top, and a few minutes taking photos at Hannah’s Well, the whole walk took us around 3 1/2 hours to do 13km. Would definitely recommend this walk to anyone considering it, even if you need a few stops at the beginning bit it’s manageable.
10. Chester Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,328 reviews
We're the UK's number one charity zoo, with over 21,000 animals and 500 different species, including some of the most endangered species on the planet. With 1.9 million visitors every year, the zoo is an all-year round, full-day visitor attraction for everyone. We're open daily from 10am, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Car parking is free and on site. Facilities for disabled visitors, including self-drive electric scooters and wheelchairs.
Reviewed By C740IWjaneb
Every time I come to this zoo I see a different animal so I have a different experience meaning that an annual pass is the best value for money. The zoo is a great all weather attraction because of all of the indoor areas which includes the monkey house, the tropical house, the jaguar house, butterfly house, bat house, the new Islands house and the aquarium. You can also hop on the monorail to get a different view of the enclosures out of the cold. Plenty of picnic area if you don’t want to buy food with huge play zones for children The elephants are always impressive. What a privilege to see the zoo everyone is talking about since the series secret life of the zoo was aired! A great educational experience.
