Tours and Activities in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Don’t let winter get you down! We all know the pull of staying indoors under a blanket is strong, however there are still so many new places to explore, creative pursuits to try and edible adventures to embark on. We’ve rounded up a selection of soul warming, mentally simulating and appetite whetting experiences in this month’s Tours and Activities guide.

Treat yourself to a unique feast experience where you’ll learn how to prep and cook your meat barbecue style from expert chefs before enjoying the results of your labour in a Nordic style tipi. Join the chefs, pit masters and master butchers of Millington Hall Farm for a Wild Grill.

For those looking to start the year in a mindful way, Floating Art are bringing their calm and beautiful painting workshops to three cities in the north. Ula’s expert teaching gently encourages the best out of their attendees.

Over in Leeds, explore the fastest developing part of the city with a tour of Leeds waterfront. Or for a Leeds-Manchester crossover catch Opera North’s pre-show talk at the Lowry.

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

Our top picks

Floating Art Workshops

Floating Art Workshops, Until 31 May 2026, from £24.30 - Book now

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour, Until 29 June 2025, from £15.00 - Book now

The Leeds Liverpool canal has a rich history as well as an exciting future. Discover both in a Leeds Waterfront walking tour.

A docked narrowboat next to a heritage crane and surrounded by buildings and blue sky at Granary Wharf in Leeds
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Opera North Pre-Show Talk – The Flying Dutchman

Opera North Pre-Show Talk - The Flying Dutchman at Lowry, Manchester, 15 March 2025 - Book now

A pre-show talk where you get the chance to learn bit more about the opera and the production directly from the company.

Stock image from The Lowry
Image supplied by Quay Tickets

The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall Farm

The Wild Grill Experience - Spring Edition at Millington Hall Farm, Manchester, 11–27 April 2025, from £89.50 - Book now

The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall Farm is ideal for those who love meat, barbecue and learning something new.

Come and enjoy The Wild Grill Experience here at Millington Hall Farm
Millington Hall Farm

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester at Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, Manchester, Until 31 December 2026, from £35 - Book now

Explore Manchester’s thriving artisanal brewery scene with the experts from Craft Beer Tour.

Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Image curtesy of Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Sauna and cold plunge pools at iglu sauna

Sauna and cold plunge pools at Hebden Bridge Hostel, West Yorkshire, Until 31 August 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Award-winning sauna and cold-plunge pools experience located in the heart of Hebden Bridge, iglu brings the Scandi experience to Yorkshire. 

iglu sauna
iglu sauna

Flavours of Manchester – A Taste of Two Cities

Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities , Until 31 December 2030, from £49.00 - Book now

The culinary worlds of Manchester and Salford are both uncovered in this brand new food tour from Flavours of Manchester.

Group Day
Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities

Eat The City – Scranchester Tours

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours, Until 31 December 2027, from £60 - Book now

Join Scranchester Tours for a feast of edible culture as you rediscover Manchester’s past and present through its food.

Millington Hall Farm

Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Lane, Cheshire, WA14 3RN - Visit now

Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.

Millington Hall Farm
Image courtesy of Gemma Parker

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Cumbria, Until 5 July 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours. 

Person sketching inspired by our Charmaine Watkiss: Legacy themed guided art tour at Abbot Hall.
Lakeland Arts

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 25 January 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Experience the work of David Hockney like never before in Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away) at Aviva Studios.

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios
David Hockney

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2025, 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. 

Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore every day at the Science and Industry Museum.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

More activity events

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry
Until
ActivityCity Centre
Whistle Punks Axe Throwing

This Autumn learn how to throw axes at large planks of wood with wild abandon. Whistle Punks have been bringing axe throwing to Manchester’s urban sprawl since February 2017. It’s the perfect way to let off some steam and indulge in some catharsis.

from £20
Spotlight on

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.

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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.

Leeds
Cinema
Cottage Road Cinema

Located in Headingley, Cottage Road Cinema is the oldest remaining cinema in continuous use in Leeds.

The Vale Reopening Programme
Mossley
Cinema
The Vale

Boasting a specially curated live programme of music, dance, cinema, theatre and visual arts, the newly renovated centre will host a special launch weekend from 10 – 12 September 2021.

City Centre
Event venue
FACT

FACT is the UK’s leading centre for art, film and the creative use of technology with a host of exhibitions and events throughout the year.

Cinema
Vue Leeds The Light

Vue Leeds The Light is a massive 14 screen multiplex located in the city centre.

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.

Culture Guides

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.

Olaf Falafel
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.