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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Image by Jonathan Schofield.

More Tours & Activities

A Lotherton Summer Holiday image of a child reaching for bunting
Until
Activity
A Lotherton Summer Holiday

Enjoy all things summer at Lotherton this school holiday. With six weeks of summer fun, including a whole host of children’s entertainment, sand pit, tractor trailer rides*, crafts, activities and

From £0.00
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
Southern Cemetary Chorlton by Tom Jeffs
TourChorlton
Southern Cemetery Tour

Within Chorlton’s Southern Cemetery lie fascinating stories, beautiful architectural details, and the inspiration behind one of The Smith’s best songs.

From £20.00

Experiences

View all
St Ann's Church
TourManchester
Halloween: The Ghosts of Manchester

Explore Manchester’s creepiest corners this Halloween, when Jonathan Schofield Tours will reveal...

Tickets from £25.00
Derbyshire & The Peak District
Until
Walking TourPeak District
Idyllic England: Derbyshire & the Peak District

A tour through idyllic Derbyshire and the Peak District, where rolling hills,...

Tickets from £55.00
Salford Lads Club Exterior
TourManchester
Salford Lads Club Tour

Salford Lads Club shot to global fame as the iconic backdrop on...

Tickets from £20.00
Knutsford Tour
TourKnutsford
Secrets of Knutsford

From wild buildings to wilder characters, explore hidden histories and architectural oddities...

Tickets from £20.00
Bars
Until
ActivityManchester
The Manchester Pub Walkabout

Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester's drinking history in one of...

Tickets from £25.00

Explore Tours & Activities by city

  • Ossett Brewery Exterior
    Brewery Tours in Leeds

    Leeds has long been a city built on beer — from its industrial-era brewing giants to the new wave of craft innovators reshaping the scene today.

  • Production Two
    Brewery Tours in the North

    Brewery tours across the North offer more than just a behind-the-scenes look at hops and fermenters. They’re a window into the region’s character.

  • SB_BreweryTour- Distillery Two
    Brewery Tours in Manchester

    A growing number of breweries and independent tour operators now offer behind-the-scenes access to the city’s thriving beer scene.

Hotel guides

  • Photo of the exterior of the Palace Hotel
    Hotels in Manchester

    To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to Manchester's best hotels.

  • The Nadler Hotel exterior
    Hotels in Liverpool

    There’s no shortage of hotels in Liverpool, but you don’t have to go far to find something a bit more stylish than a Travelodge. Here’s our guide.

  • Hotels in Leeds.
    Hotels in Leeds

    Leeds has plenty of new types of accommodation, from sleek, modern luxury to affordable art hostels and grand accommodation in green space.

  • Great Victoria Hotel
    Hotels in Bradford

    For a weekend break in a private apartment or an overnight stay in high luxury, we've rounded up the best places to stay in Bradford, Ilkley and Saltaire.

Recently covered restaurants

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Ramona

If you haven’t heard of Ramona by now then where have you been? Taking Manchester by storm, Ramona is a Detroit Pizza restaurant, with a salty twist… Frozen margaritas!

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Kōdo Entrance
City Centre
Restaurant
Kōdo

Kōdo, a secret bar like no other. It is all about discovery. The only way to enter is with a special code, which changes weekly.

Spotlight on

Food and Drink in the North

Take some eating-out tips from our August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

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