North West England

Britain, places to visit, attractions, heritage
Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.

This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in the North of England, including Yorkshire.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Places to visit in England’s East Midlands are currently being moved to ABAB’s Places.

Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse. 

20 FORTHLIN ROAD

Paul McCartney's former Liverpool home, where he spent his teenage years with his father, Jim, and his brother, Mike. This is where Paul and John went when they 'slagged off' from school to play the guitar and compose, later joined by George Harrison. Several of the Beatles' hits were written at Forthlin Road, including 'I Saw Her Standing There'. The house been restored back with incredible attention to detail to how it was when Paul and Mike McCartney lived in it and includes several of Mike's photos of 'the boys' on the walls.

Entry into 20 Forthlin Road is only possible by booking a minibus tour with the National Trust. This also takes in John Lennon's former home in Menlove Avenue. Knowledgeable guides greet you at both properties. You can also view 20 Forthlin Road from the outside - many do - though bear in mind this is a residential area and respect the privacy of those that live nearby.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
20 Forthlin Road
Allerton
Liverpool
County
Merseyside
Post Code
L18 9TN
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Penny Lane is a 'bus ride away...
Primary Management
National Trust
ARNSIDE KNOTT

A limestone/sandstone hill offering grassland, meadow and woodland walks, with great views over the Kent estuary and Morecambe Bay. Famous for wildflowers and butterflies. Nearby Jack Scout's cliffs are good for bird watching and sun sets. Limited parking. Signposted from Arnside.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Arnside
County
Cumbria
Post Code
LA5 0BP
Main Historic Period
N/A
Tip/Nearby
Arnside, Sizergh Castle, Morecambe
Primary Management
National Trust
Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

Kirkby Lonsdale’s Devil’s Bridge is a medieval structure with three graceful arches and is a scheduled ancient monument. It was replaced by Stanley Bridge as the main bridge carrying traffic over the River Lune along the main road (A65) between Kendal and Skipton in 1932 and is now a favourite with visitors – and weekend motorcyclists.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Off the A65 or walk from Town Centre
Kirkby Lonsdale
County
Cumbria
Post Code
LA6 2DF
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Kirkby Lonsdale, Yorkshire Dales
Primary Management
Local Authority
GUILDHALL ART GALLERY

The Guildhall Art Gallery was established in 1885 as a place to display the City of London's extensive collection, but was destroyed during the Blitz in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1999 and displays about 250 works at any one time, on a rotating basis. There is a great deal of Victorian and, as to be expected, London-themed, work. There is also a small, but very interesting, museum - and the Art Gallery additionally provides access to the remains of London's Roman Amphitheatre beneath your feet.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
The Guildhall
Gresham Street
County
London
Post Code
EC2V 5AE
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Bank of England, Museum of London
Primary Management
Local Authority
St JOHN the BAPTIST, Tunstall

The tiny village of Tunstall has had a church since at least the 11th century, though its current one dates from the 13th and was largely rebuilt around 1415 by Sir Thomas Tunstall, with further restorations in the 16th and 20th centuries. A mutilated effigy in the church is thought to be of Sir Thomas.

The Bronte sisters attended Tunstall church in the 1820’s whilst at the nearby Clergy Daughters’ School in Cowan Bridge.

In 2015, a painting which had hung in the church for 200 years was found to be a masterpiece by 16th century Venetian artist Francesco Montemezzano, worth more than £100,000.

In the inner jamb of a window in the north aisle is a Roman votive stone, believed to be an altar to the god Asclepius, Greek god of medicine, reused from the nearby fort of Calacum.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Church Lane
Tunstall
County
Lancashire
Post Code
LA6 2RQ
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Tip/Nearby
Kirkby Lonsdale
Primary Management
Church authorities
St PETER’S, Leck

St Peter’s church in the hamlet of Leck is in a lovely setting, its adjacent car park making it a convenient stating-point for a walk along the valley of Leck Beck.  It is famous as, possibly, helping to inspire events in Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre.  The Brontë Sisters attended the clergymen’s daughters school at nearby Cowan Bridge, where the conditions were awful and several girls died of tuberculosis (consumption).  There are certainly 'fever' graves in St Peter’s churchyard and for the years 1820-1829 and 1840-1849 records show that 50% of all deaths were of children under 10.  It is thought that the girls’ deaths inspired the character of Jane’s friend, Helen Burns, in the novel.  The Brontë Sisters left Cowan Bridge in 1825, but while they were there normally attended Tunstall Church, St Peter’s being too small.  There has been a church, or chapel, on the site since at least 1610, and it was actually expanded in 1825.  A larger church and tower were built in 1879 by the Lancaster firm of Payley & Austin; however, that building was greatly burned in a fire in 1913 and rebuilt, with the addition of a fine spire.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Via Carnforth
County
Lancashire
Post Code
LA6 2JD
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Yorkshire Dales, Ingleborough - walking country
Primary Management
Church Authorities
U-534

German U-boat U-534 mysteriously refused to surrender at the end of World War Two, and was on a northerly course from Denmark when it was attacked, and sunk, by an RAF Liberator. Most of the crew survived. The wreck was recovered in 1993 and now sits in Birkenhead. The ship itself has been cut away to reveal its rusted and destroyed interior. There is also an interesting exhibition.

Note - closed as of 2021 and under new management. Watch press for announcements of reopening.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Woodside Ferry Terminal
Birkenhead
County
Merseyside
Post Code
CH41 6DV
Main Historic Period
Modern
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Combine with a Mersey Ferry trip
Primary Management
Local Authority

If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch

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