163 Manchester Road

Gulliver's World is a theme park in Warrington, loosely based on the world of Lilliput from Gulliver's Travels. It is split into themed areas including Western World, Safari Kingdom, Land of Oz, Smuggler's Wharf and Lost World. Rides such as The Antelope, Desperado Drop and Apache Falls sit alongside play areas, both indoors and outdoors, designed for children between 2 and 13.

Tip: The website says booking tickets early can save money, so check online before you go.

Pleasure Beach Resort, long known as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, is an amusement park on Blackpool's South Shore. It was founded in 1896 and sits right along the promenade. Rollercoasters are the main draw, with ten to ride. The Big One was once the tallest and steepest in the world, and is still the longest in Europe.

Tip: Check the official calendar for opening days and times before you go, and book eTickets online ahead of your visit.

Gawthorpe Hall is a Grade I listed Elizabethan house on the banks of the River Calder, remodelled in the 19th century by Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament. Inside, the rooms are filled with Victorian Gothic furnishings and show how the Kay-Shuttleworth family lived. Families can follow a trail around the house or dress up in the nursery.

Tip: The Hall isn't suitable for pushchairs, baby backpacks or large bags, so travel light. The access drive is narrow, with passing places.

AO Arena is a large indoor venue immediately north of Manchester city centre, partly built over Manchester Victoria railway station. It opened in 1995 and hosts concerts, comedy, family shows and sport, including ice hockey and boxing.

Tip: The arena sits partly above Manchester Victoria railway station, so it is easy to reach by train.

The People's History Museum in Manchester is the national museum of democracy. It tells the story of how democracy developed in Britain, and of ordinary people who came together to fight for their rights. It is based in a Grade II listed former hydraulic pumping station, linked by a glass walkway to a modern extension.

Tip: Check the museum's website before you go, as the exhibitions and activities change.

Blackpool Zoo is a 32-acre zoo set beside Stanley Park, about two miles inland from the Golden Mile. It cares for over 1,000 animals from around the world, and opened in 1972 on the site of the old Stanley Park Aerodrome.

Tip: Tickets can be bought in advance online. Follow the brown elephant signs if driving, and use sat nav postcode FY3 8PP.

The National Football Museum is England's national museum of football. It is based in the Urbis building in Manchester city centre and is laid out over four floors, preserving, conserving and displaying important collections of football memorabilia.

Tip: Head for the Pitch Gallery first: it is the largest floor and holds the trophies and the Hall of Fame.

Knowsley Safari is a safari park in Prescot, Merseyside, set in the parkland of Knowsley Hall. The main event is the 5-mile Safari Drive, where you travel in your own vehicle past animals such as African lions, southern white rhinos, Bactrian camels, European bison and olive baboons. There is a bypass around the baboons if you would rather keep them away from your car.

Tip: Book online in advance, as tickets are cheaper that way and online booking is essential.