Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in New Longton

"One of the oldest buildings in Manchester, the Cathedral has a vast and extensive history that can be traced back to humble beginnings in the 7th century, becoming a Cathedral in 1847. Having survived significant damage during both World War II and the IRA bomb, the Cathedral has undergone extensive refurbishment several times over the past century, creating a lovingly preserved building that appears much more modern than it actually is. The Cathedral is open to the public, who can admire the architecture and numerous little quirks inside, including the misericord wood carvings and bees on the roof."

"As I mentioned just before, Manchester Cathedral is located in the city centre, so you don’t have to walk far. Actually, most of the photo locations in Manchester are located very close to each other, so at no point, you have to walk for more than 20-25 minutes. However, there are free buses in Manchester, so if it rains, you can definitely hop on one and head to Manchester Cathedral."

"A respite from Blackpool’s glossy entertainment and arcades, the resort’s largest park is in 260 acres, a mile east of the promenade. The man behind the park’s design in the 1920s was the landscape architect Thomas Mawson, and he was responsible for a couple of the buildings. The most striking is the cafe, in an Art Deco style and overlooking the Italian Garden, adorned with statues (see the two Medici lions) and a beautiful marble fountain."

"This picturesque and much-loved park recently reached new levels of status after being named the UK’s best park for 2019. The impressive 390-acre grade-II listed park provides an experience for the old and young, which shouldn’t be missed. Amongst other features it boasts Italian gardens, a boating lake and band stand, an art deco cafe, and an award-winning model village."

"Home to over 2000 marine creatures, this is another worthy visit – especially on a rainy day. You and the family can enjoy the aquarium zones, from the small creatures of the Rock Pools, to those of the Atlantic Depths and the fish of the Quayside. Or you can immerse yourself in a world of stingrays, take a submarine ride to the depths of the ocean, or walk through the spectacular ocean tunnel."

"For nature lovers, Sea Life Blackpool offers an opportunity to dive into the world of underwater wildlife. Not far from the central pier, it is home to more than 2,000 different sea creatures, including rare tropical fish, rays, octopus and even sharks. The centre also carries out vital conservation work to protect the outstanding aquatic life of the local area."

"This one is a bit of a trek from the Manchester city center (we went here as part of a private black cab taxi tour of the city), but it is a must-visit spot for music fans. Devotees of The Smiths come from all over the world to recreate their famous photo take in front of the Salford Lads Club for the inside sleeve of their 1986 album, The Queen is Dead. Go have your own Morrissey moment!"

"Located in Salford (Greater Manchester), Salford Lads Club became famous in 1986 when it was featured on the cover of the Smith’s album The Queen is Dead. Manchester is known for its music scene. It boasted some of the most famous rock bands in England and the Smiths are one of them!"

"Set on Lancaster Canal, Haslam Park is a beautiful Edwardian park in Ashton. The park's two main entrances feature Grade II listed gates and make the park particularly special. Since 2006, the northern part of the park has become Haslam Park Nature Reserve and that, along with the sensory gardens, lime tree avenue and old drinking fountain, mean that this park should not be missed."

"If you’re going to be visiting Legoland, be aware that Manchester’s SEA LIFE centre is located right next door and a joint ticket can be purchased for both destinations. You can roam the centre, walking through tunnels of exotic fish and coming face to face with sharks and stingrays; your kids can also have a go at diving in the immersive sea trek experience. Anyone can participate in this fantastic activity (the only one of its kind in Europe), wearing a special breath-easy helmet and a wetsuit to ensure that they are safe and comfortable during the ten-minute dive into the deep."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bob Linsdell used under CC BY 3.0. Keeping with funfairs, Southport Pleasureland is loads of fun. The park has numerous rides to suit all ages."

"Manchester's second most important art gallery is arguably its most beautiful, following a restoration that saw the doubling of its exhibition space through the opening of its sides and back, and the construction of glass-screened promenades. Inside is a fine collection of British watercolours, the best selection of historic textiles outside London and galleries devoted to the work of artists from Dürer and Rembrandt to Lucian Freud and David Hockney."

"The Whitworth relaunched in 2015 after a massive refurbishment and only went on to win an award for Museum of the Year by the Art Fund in its first year. They have a constantly changing display of collections and a wide spectrum of art in their temporary exhibitions. The Whitworth is located in South Manchester, I would recommend taking public transport as it’s quite a walk otherwise."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"This attraction features well-maintained locomotives that date back more than 100 years. A preserved railway, it is now also the home of the collection from the Southport Railway Museum and was opened to public access in 2005. It also operates passenger services from Preston Riverside to and from Strand Road Crossing."