The International Heritage City of Chester
Take in Chester's stunning cathedral, the Deva Roman Experience and Grosvenor Museum. Then after you've browsed The Rows - Chester's unique two-tier gallery of shops - you can relax on a canal or river trip. On weekdays a free bus link runs between the railway station and city centre for all rail customers.

Liverpool
There's so much to see and do! Head for Albert Dock, the Tate, Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Beatles' Story. Or see the Cavern Quarter where their story really began.

Crewe
The name Crewe is synonymous with railways and there's everything for the rail enthusiast at Railway Age: locomotives, including the prototype Advanced Passenger Train, three signal boxes and even a Children's Corner.

Manchester
If you don't know where to start, the Museum of Science and Industry is superb, and the many excellent art galleries and exhibitions include Urbis, with a thrilling skyglide up the MEN Glass Elevator.

Northwich
This was the 'salt capital of the world' and the 2,000 year-old story of its production is told at the Salt Museum. The building too has an interesting history - it was once a workhouse. Or for a truly unique experience take a boating trip with a difference on the Anderton Boat Lift, a 50ft vertical link between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Buxton
The town is famous for its splendid architecture, including the Opera House, home to the annual Buxton Festival. 23-acre Pavilion Gardens offers more than just tranquil walks, boasting attractions from a miniature railway to swimming. Buxton has an excellent Museum and Art Gallery and 2-million-year-old Poole's Cavern is a natural limestone cave at the foot of Grin Low. Don't miss the views from Solomon's Temple, the folly at its top.

Glossop
At the Glossop Heritage Centre the history of the region is told through archaeological finds, photographs and documents. Permanent exhibitions include an authentic Victorian kitchen and its art gallery has paintings and prints by local artists. On the edge of the town are the remains of Melandra Roman Fort which dates back to around AD78.

Macclesfield
Macclesfield was once the country's centre for silk manufacture, and the Silk Mill, Paradise Mill and Quarry Bank Mill, now award-winning museums, tell the story. Also an ancient market town, modern Macclesfield has a bustling shopping centre. Jodrell Bank Science Centre and Arboretum has a world-famous 250ft diameter radio telescope, a planetarium, space exhibitions and trails to explore.

Wilmslow
Known for residents from the world of football and show business, Wilmslow has fine restaurants, vibrant bars and exclusive specialist shops. Hoopers and John Lewis are amongst the other famous names seen about town.

Warrington
Warrington Museum and Art Gallery offers a journey through time and around the world. And for those who like a browse around a great range of shops, the excellent Golden Square shopping centre opens daily with late night shopping on Thursdays.

Whitchurch
The oldest continually inhabited settlement in Shropshire and famous for Cheshire cheese, pretty Whitchurch is also home to the world's oldest tower clockmakers, and the Heritage Centre tells the town's full story. The five walks from Jubilee Park include Shropshire Way, with Llangollen Canal's staircase locks just outside town.