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Tours and Activities in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

We’re going back to our roots this month. We’re talking tours, tours and more tours! As we edge toward September and the Heritage Open Days festival, we’ve highlighted some of the best historical tours going in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

Delve beneath the city with a tour of Liverpool Docks, or uncover the fascinating history of the distinctive Bluecoat. In Manchester, you can discover a current guitar based city wide art installation as well as the city’s brutalist architecture with the Modernist. Finally in Leeds, we’re taking a trip to RSPB St. Aidan’s to see how nature has reclaimed an industrial landscape as well as delving into the architecture and heritage of northwest Leeds.

Scroll down to find more top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

A walk around the Headingley Hill and Hyde Park Conservation Areas

A walk around the Headingley Hill and Hyde Park Conservation Areas, 14 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Join Tony Ray, a retired Town Planner, for a walk around the Headingley Hill exploring its history and architecture.

Find out more
The Golden Beam
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Botanical Art: Cacti with Artist Monair Hyman at Leeds Central Library

Botanical Art - Cacti with Artist Monair Hyman at Leeds Central Library, Leeds, 29 November 2025, From £38.00 - Book now

Immerse yourself in the surprising softness of cacti with this watercolour workshop from artist Monair Hymen at Leeds Central Library.

Find out more
A watercolour painting of a dark green cactus, with red flowers sprouting at the top.
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

History Walk at RSPB St Aidan’s

History Walk- RSPB St Aidan's, 7 September 2025, From £11.00 - Book now

Experience the naturally reclaimed and entirely unique landscape of RSPB St. Aiden’s with a guided history walk.

Find out more
Buttercups with the St Aidan's Dragline- oddball- in the background
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2027, Free entry - Visit now

Delve into the treasure trove of 20th Century architecture design with the expert knowledge and passionate curation of the Modernist App.

Find out more
Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

Gallery Tours at Manchester Art Gallery

Gallery Tours at Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, Until 20 December 2027, Free entry - Visit now

Take a deeper look into Manchester Art Gallery’s collection with their regular, informative and fascinating gallery tours. 

Find out more
Gallery Ceiling
Manchester Art Gallery. Image courtesy of Andrew Brooks.

Music for the Senses

Music for the Senses, Until 30 September 2025, Free entry - Visit now

Music for the Senses, a city-wide art trail by global art producer Wild in Art, takes over the streets of Manchester this summer.

Find out more
Cathedral of Sound - Lazerian
David Oates

Shiverpool: Ghost and History Tours

Shiverpool: Ghost and History Tours, Until 27 February 2027, From £13.50 - Book now

Expect chilling street theatre and immersive thrills as the award winning Shiverpool return to Liverpool’s streets. 

Find out more

Heritage Tours with Bryan Biggs at Bluecoat

Heritage Open Days: Heritage Tours with Bryan Biggs at Bluecoat, Liverpool, 16–21 September 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Join Bryan Biggs for a deep dive into the 300+ year history of the Bluecoat Grade I listed building. 

Find out more
Bluecoat
Bluecoat

Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock Tours at Maritime Museum, Liverpool, Until 31 January 2028, 8.50 with concessions - Book now

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

Find out more
NML-Old-Dock-Tour-EDIT-2022-©Robin-Clewley-

In conversation with Juno Dawson at Queer Lit

Human Rites: In conversation with Juno Dawson at Queer Lit, Manchester, 26 August 2025, From £5.00 - Book now

Juno Dawson brings her wit and charm to queer lit as she discusses the themes in her new book Human Rites. 

Find out more
Queer Lit Bookshop NQ-MCR
Demi Sheridan

Woodhouse Heritage Music Walks

Woodhouse Heritage Music Walk, 25 October 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Join heritage experts Joe Williams and Matthew Bellwood for deep dives music walks around Woodhouse in Leeds. 

Find out more
Heritage walkers on Monument Moor in Leeds, walking towards the statue of Henry Rowland Marsden. A seagull is sitting on the statue's head.
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

SUPERMASSIVE at Depot Mayfield

SUPERMASSIVE at Depot Mayfield, Manchester, Until 13 September 2025, From £16 - Book now

Part interactive gallery, part surreal playground – SUPERMASSIVE crash lands on the rooftop of Depot Mayfield.

Find out more
SUPERMASSIVE
SUPERMASSIVE.

Tour of Windermere & the Lake District

Windermere & the Lake District, Until 31 March 2027, From £76.25 - Book now

From the urban hum of Manchester to the serene embrace of the Lake District, Rabbie’s one-day tour offers a poetic escape into one of England’s most storied landscapes.

Find out more
Windermere & the Lake District Tour
Rabbie's Tours

Earth & Sky at Penistone Hill Country Park

Earth & Sky at Penistone Hill Country Park, Bradford, Until 12 October 2025, Free entry - Visit now

Explore the uplands near Bradford with a sound walk from opera north featuring newly commissions sonic worlds as well as the music of Bradford’s compositional son Frederick Delius.

Find out more
A woman wearing a long green jacket and a speckled dress stood infront of a wall.
Courtesy of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Image credit: Tom Arber

Get Outside with Bradford 2025

Get Outside with Bradford 2025, Until 31 December 2025, Free entry - Visit now

Discover the wealth of outdoor free activities, artworks, walks and sound trails to be explored as part of Bradford City of Culture 2025.

Find out more
Get Outside with Bradford 2025: An image of a large man made pool with fountains in front of a historic building with a clock tower
VisitBradford

Brewery Tour and Tasting at Cloudwater’s Unit 9 Taproom

Brewery Tour and Tasting at Cloudwater Brew Co, Manchester, Until 2 December 2029, From £25.00 - Book now

Cloudwater is a jewel in Manchester’s local brewery crown. Join them for a brewery tour and tasting at the Unit 9 Taproom. 

Find out more
Cloudwater Production One
Cloudwater Brew Co.

Bradford on Foot

Bradford on Foot, Until 18 October 2025, Free entry - Visit now

Explore Bradford and the surrounding area through the eyes of locals and experts with a series of walking trails compiled by Bradford 2025.

Find out more
Bradford on Foot
Courtesy Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Image credit: David Lindsay

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

With its rich industrial past, iconic architecture and vibrant arts scene, Manchester is a city that begs to be explored step by step.

Find out more
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Image by Jonathan Schofield.

More activity events

After Hours at Chetham's Library
TourManchester
Chetham’s Medieval Buildings

Join an access-all-areas guided tour of Chetham’s Library and the surrounding school – among the most venerable buildings in the North West.

From £20.00
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

8.50 with concessions
Summer at Aviva Studios
Until
ActivityManchester
Summer at Aviva Studios

From global dance and live music to storytelling, skateboarding and football, get ready for a dream summer on the banks of the River Irwell.

Free entry
Walking Tour Stock imagery
Until
ActivityCity Centre
The Manchester Music Walkabout

Manchester’s famous musical legacy comes to life in this walking tour around the city, which will take you from the 1960s to the present day.

From £25.00
See all activity events
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Tours and Activities in the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

LawsonParkFarm, courtesy of venue
Cumbria
Bed & Breakfast
Lawson Park Farm Cottage

Award-winning self-catering holiday accommodation that is not only beautiful but also supports the pioneering work of Grizedale Arts.

Liverpool
Cinema
Odeon Liverpool ONE

Located right in the centre of town, Odeon Liverpool One features a huge 18 screens with all of the latest gizmos from RealD 3D to DBOX.

Cheshire
Cinema
Cinemac Cinema

Cinemac Cinema in Macclesfield is a cinema and live-performance venue which hosts a regular variety of cinema, comedy, theatre and more.

Liverpool
Cinema
Everyman Liverpool

Everyman Liverpool has luxury, comfort and an excellent programme – all that you need to fall in love with going to the cinema all over again. 

See all places

Destination Guides

Things to do in Bradford: Kala Sangam
Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture

Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture is a city in celebration, not just for Bradford and the surrounding districts, but the whole of the North.
Things to Do in Liverpool
Things to Do in Liverpool

Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.
Things to do in Manchester
Things to Do in Manchester

Our guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
Leeds Corn Exchange
Things to do in Leeds

Our guide to Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK.
Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
York Castle Museum
Things to do in York

We take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
Burnley's Singing Ringing Tree
Things to do in Lancashire

Our guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...