The North West of England is anchored by two great cities -- Manchester and Liverpool -- that shaped the modern world through industry, trade and culture. Manchester powered the Industrial Revolution with its cotton mills, while Liverpool's docks connected Britain to every corner of the globe. Today both cities buzz with music, sport, nightlife and some of the best museums in England.
Beyond the cities, the region holds some of England's finest landscapes. The Lake District is the country's most dramatic mountain scenery, with peaks, lakes and valleys that inspired Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. The historic towns of Chester, Lancaster and Carlisle each have castles and centuries of stories to tell. Lancashire's smaller towns -- Kendal, Pendle, Preston -- reward visitors willing to get off the beaten track.
