Day Trips from Manchester

In Brief. The Pendle Sculpture Trail  combines a countryside walk, a forest walk, outdoor sculptures and some local history in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts. The scenery is pleasant, the forest is not densely planted, the sculptures are varied, and there is a chance to discover a little about  The Pendle Witches , who are remembered in plaques along the sculpture trail.  Please do not feed the mythical creatures. What's Here? The starting point for most visitors will be a carpark in the village of Barley, where there is a log cabin occupied by a cafe that was doing good business on my visit.  The start of the walk involves going through the village, past the pub (The Pendle Inn) and restaurant (The Barley Mow), and then heading right up a signposted lane, with solid dry stone walls on either side. Lower Black Moss Reservoir This lane quickly provides access to pleasant countryside, passing the  Lower Black Moss Reservoir (pictured), and leading...

In Brief. Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of a huge former mill adjacent to a model village and park from Victorian times. The mill, known as Salts Mill, has been redeveloped to provide art and retail spaces, anchored by a substantial collection of David Hockney 's typically vibrant and accessible artworks. The mill also hosts a restaurant, a cafe and a variety of shops, with an emphasis on art and books, in sensitively repurposed spaces. The village and park are also worth a visit, though the mill is the centre of gravity. The chimney at Salts Mill What's Here? The intimidating scale of the mill is diluted on entry to the ground floor 1853 Gallery , which hosts the world's largest permanent collection of David Hockney's work. This all sounds quite serious, but it is a decidedly unpretentious space, which the artworks share with art supplies and books for sale on tables in the middle. The David Hockney works here include portraits and assorted repr...

In Brief. Lyme is a country house in extensive grounds, operated by the National Trust. The house has a long history, evolving through 600 years (!) of ownership by the same family; as a result the interior reflects different periods and contains a rich collection of historical artefacts and curiosities. The house backs onto manicured gardens that include a lake and an orangery, and is surrounded by much less tamed parkland for more energetic walks. Lyme obtained national visibility in the '90s as Pemberley in a widely watched BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice . The Georgian rear of the house from the garden. What's Here? Lyme is large and diverse enough to accommodate a variety of different visits. Families can head from the carpark to the adventure playground, explore the adjacent woodland or make dens, and round off the visit with a sandwich or ice cream from the Timber Yard, all without going anywhere near the house or gardens. Up a hill from the carpark, the gardens a...