Northern England is experiencing a significant cultural and economic resurgence, with various towns and cities emerging as prime destinations for visitors this summer. Travel expert Chris Moss has curated a list of 10 standout locations, highlighting everything from cutting-edge food festivals to expansive coastal walks, reflecting a broader trend of investment and creative energy in the region.
Among the top recommendations is Todmorden, nestled in the Calder Valley. While nearby Hebden Bridge draws crowds, Todmorden maintains a distinctive, down-to-earth character. Straddling the historic Lancashire-Yorkshire border, it boasts a vibrant food scene, home to the 'Incredible Edible' initiative and an impressive array of over 25 micropubs and traditional venues. The town's open-air market operates five days a week, complemented by a market hall open six days. Nature enthusiasts can explore the magnificent moors, including a section of the Pennine Way leading to Stoodley Pike, offering a less crowded alternative to traditional Brontë Country routes. The valley will also host a new Festival of Food from 7th to 20th September, and the Stage at the Lake music, theatre and comedy festival at Shibden Park from 13th to 16th August.
Further north, Newcastle's Ouseburn district, a short walk from the city centre, has transformed from an industrial area into a thriving cultural quarter. Despite its urban proximity, Ouseburn retains a unique, almost village-like atmosphere, with greenery adorning bridges and streets. It is home to The Biscuit Factory, one of the UK’s largest independent commercial art, craft, and design galleries, alongside numerous smaller studios, a working farm, and the National Centre for Children’s Books. The Ouseburn Trust also organises regular guided heritage walks, providing insight into the area's rich past.
Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham presents another example of radical urban regeneration. The town has invested £23 million to create the Stockton Waterfront Urban Park, an expansive area three times the size of Trafalgar Square. This transformation occurred on the former site of the Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Swallow Hotel. The park features a children’s play area, an oval lawn adorned with 1,000 clay figurines designed by local schoolchildren in collaboration with artist Mackenzie Thorpe, and a viewing platform offering panoramic views over the River Tees.
Barnsley, an often-overlooked town in South Yorkshire, is making strides to position itself as a leading tech hub. This summer, it hosts the Abandon Normal Devices (AND) festival for the first time, an itinerant event known for exploring ambitious new ideas and platforming leftfield artists. The festival, running in Barnsley, will feature innovative Extended Reality (XR) installations, performances, screenings, and stimulating talks from industry leaders, reflecting the North's historical role in technological innovation.