Three Unique Things to Do in the North

What are the best things to do in Lancashire and Yorkshire? Well, there are just too many to list down! The north is full of spectacular scenery, fantastic facilities, and entertaining events. You don’t need us to tell you that. However, every once in a while, you might fancy doing something different. For these times, we’re here to help.

There are plenty of hidden and not-so-hidden treasures in the north. There are things you might not have heard of. There are things you might have heard of but never thought to try. The following list should provide some inspiration for the next time you want to sample unique things that Lancashire and Yorkshire have to offer.

Ride with Royalty

There’s no doubt that the Cheltenham Festival is the biggest racing event in the calendar. This year is set to be a corker, with Cheltenham ante post tips pricing Jonbon at odds of 1/10 to win the Arkle Chase. However, those based in Yorkshire can still get their horseracing fix. As listed in Go Racing in Yorkshire, you can visit one of the county’s nine racecourses for a mixture of  ‘championship’ events and ‘relaxed’ days. Yorkshire is synonymous with horseracing, and the number of top-quality courses in the county is proof of this.

Discover a Top Secret Nuclear Bunker

You might think nuclear bunkers and all the jazz are the stuff of movies (or at least somewhere that’s not Yorkshire), but you’d be wrong. Head to York and you’ll be able to step inside an authentic 1960s nuclear bunker. Now overseen by English Heritage, the bunker was previously a shelter and operations base for the British army.

However, with its service surplus to requirements by the late 90s, it was decommissioned and now stands as a Cold War museum. For £11, you get to walk through the decontamination room and into the command hub. There, you’ll find the bunker along with artifacts, exhibits and information on how it used to function. 

Go Wild with Bees and Boars

You take a walk on the wild side in Lancashire and Yorkshire thanks to two fantastic attractions. First on your journey should be Bowland Wild Boar and Animal Park in Preston. There are animals aplenty but, as you can imagine, the boars steal the show.

If you prefer a flight of fancy, you can head to the Bee Centre in Chorley. This award-winning bee centre not only lets you sample sweet nectar but also see how it’s made. As well as working to improve and maintain the bee population, the centre offers a 90-minute bee experience that lets you get up close and personal with the bees.

Get Out and Explore

We’re not saying you should ignore the famous landmarks of the north. However, there are plenty of interesting things to do if you step outside of your comfort zone. We’ve given you three suggestions but there are many more things to try. So get out there and explore!

NorthernLife Mar/Apr 23