Tours and Activities in the North

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Don’t let winter get you down! We all know the pull of staying indoors under a blanket is strong, however there are still so many new places to explore, creative pursuits to try and edible adventures to embark on. We’ve rounded up a selection of soul warming, mentally simulating and appetite whetting experiences in this month’s Tours and Activities guide.

Treat yourself to a unique feast experience where you’ll learn how to prep and cook your meat barbecue style from expert chefs before enjoying the results of your labour in a Nordic style tipi. Join the chefs, pit masters and master butchers of Millington Hall Farm for a Wild Grill.

For those looking to start the year in a mindful way, Floating Art are bringing their calm and beautiful painting workshops to three cities in the north. Ula’s expert teaching gently encourages the best out of their attendees.

Over in Leeds, explore the fastest developing part of the city with a tour of Leeds waterfront. Or for a Leeds-Manchester crossover catch Opera North’s pre-show talk at the Lowry.

Scroll down to find more top picks of tours and activities, and break away from your normal.

Our top picks

Floating Art Workshops

Floating Art Workshops at Chapter 1 Books, Manchester, Until 31 May 2026, from £24.30 - Book now

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

Floating Art

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour

Leeds Waterfront Guided Tour, Until 29 June 2025, from £15.00 - Book now

The Leeds Liverpool canal has a rich history as well as an exciting future. Discover both in a Leeds Waterfront walking tour.

A docked narrowboat next to a heritage crane and surrounded by buildings and blue sky at Granary Wharf in Leeds
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

Opera North Pre-Show Talk – The Flying Dutchman

Opera North Pre-Show Talk - The Flying Dutchman at Lowry, Manchester, 15 March 2025 - Book now

A pre-show talk where you get the chance to learn bit more about the opera and the production directly from the company.

Stock image from The Lowry
Image supplied by Quay Tickets

The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall Farm

The Wild Grill Experience - Spring Edition at Millington Hall Farm, Manchester, 11–27 April 2025, from £89.50 - Book now

The Wild Grill Experience at Millington Hall Farm is ideal for those who love meat, barbecue and learning something new.

Come and enjoy The Wild Grill Experience here at Millington Hall Farm
Millington Hall Farm

Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Craft Beer Tour Manchester at Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, Manchester, Until 31 December 2026, from £35 - Book now

Explore Manchester’s thriving artisanal brewery scene with the experts from Craft Beer Tour.

Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
The Craft Tour Company

Sauna and cold plunge pools at iglu sauna

Sauna and cold plunge pools at Hebden Bridge Hostel, West Yorkshire, Until 31 August 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Award-winning sauna and cold-plunge pools experience located in the heart of Hebden Bridge, iglu brings the Scandi experience to Yorkshire. 

iglu sauna
iglu sauna

Flavours of Manchester – A Taste of Two Cities

Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities , Until 31 December 2030, from £49.00 - Book now

The culinary worlds of Manchester and Salford are both uncovered in this brand new food tour from Flavours of Manchester.

Group Day
Food & Drink Tour of Manchester & Salford : A Taste of Two Cities

Eat The City – Scranchester Tours

Eat The City - Scranchester Tours, Until 31 December 2027, from £60 - Book now

Join Scranchester Tours for a feast of edible culture as you rediscover Manchester’s past and present through its food.

Scranchester tours

Millington Hall Farm

Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Farm, Millington Hall Lane, Cheshire, WA14 3RN - Visit now

Millington Hall Farm is a one of a kind destination offering field to fork dining alongside learning experiences that will stay with you long after your visit.

Millington Hall Farm
Image courtesy of Gemma Parker/ Millington Hall Farm

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall

Sketch and Stroll: guided art tour at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Cumbria, Until 5 July 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Experience the art of Abbot Hall in a hands on and creative way with their monthly Sketch and Stroll tours. 

Person sketching inspired by our Charmaine Watkiss: Legacy themed guided art tour at Abbot Hall.
Lakeland Arts

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 25 January 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

Experience the work of David Hockney like never before in Bigger and Closer (not smaller and further away) at Aviva Studios.

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of David Hockney.

The Modernist App – architectural city tours

The Modernist App - architectural city tours, online, Until 31 December 2025, free entry - Visit now

Delve into the treasure trove of 20th Century architecture design with the expert knowledge and passionate curation of the Modernist App. 

Image of The Modernist App in use
The Modernist

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, Until 30 September 2025, free entry - Visit now

Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore every day at the Science and Industry Museum.

40 Things to See, Do and Discover at the Science and Industry Museum
Science and Industry Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

More activity events

life drawing
Until
ActivityManchester
Life Drawing Manchester

Whether you have never put pencil to paper or have been honing your artistic skills for years, Bee Creative studio runs life drawing sessions for people of all abilities.

from £10
Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Tours and Activities in the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Ilkley
Bed & Breakfast
The Crescent Inn

The Crescent Inn is a comfortable and cosy, pub style bed and breakfast that takes pride in championing local goods.

Odeon Great Northern
Manchester
Cinema
Odeon Great Northern

Located within the historic Grade 2 former railway goods distribution warehouse, the Odeon Great Northern is a 16 screen multiplex cinema.

Lancashire
Bed & Breakfast
Everything Retreat

A haven of luxury and serenity in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Everything Retreat is an idyllic spot for an indulgent getaway.

Curzon Sheffield
Sheffield
Cinema
Curzon Sheffield

Curzon’s Sheffield branch is a comfortable three screen cinema specialising in independent, foreign and art-house films, with the odd blockbuster thrown in for good measure.

fuse
Bradford
Event venue
Fuse Art Space

Fuse is a new and exciting venue where multidisciplinary art forms meet a full spectrum of live performance, this dynamic space is broadening the artistic minds of Bradford and beyond.

Culture Guides

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we head into the new year.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.