Follow the official advice and enjoy a summer of fun across the North West (Duplicate)
A SAFE SUMMER OF FUN
Summer is here and people from across the region can enjoy the many attractions that we have on our doorstep, as long as we follow UK Government advice and enjoy summer safely. There are plenty of places to go and things to do to suit every budget. Here is our guide to the numerous great days out.
Summer is here and there is really no need to be making plans for foreign shores with so much to do here in the North
West. For those more used to taking their annual holiday overseas it would be easy to overlook the wide variety of options on our own doorstep.
From New Brighton to Southport in Merseyside and right up the coast to the Lancastrian resorts of St Annes and Morecambe the region has beaches to rival anywhere in the world.
Everyone loves a trip to Blackpool but what of the less well known coastal attractions like the golden sands of Formby where the dramatic sweep of dunes affords views from Cumbria down to North Wales.
And instead of a promenade there are lush pinewood pathways to explore while keeping an eye out for red squirrels with the village home to one of the country’s largest colonies.
It is just one of the region’s gems and it is little wonder the Queen reputedly once said she would be happy to retire to the North West.
Her majesty had her eyes on the Ribble Valley which may not share the Lake District’s international reputation but that’s great news for those who enjoy country pubs, stunning scenery and bracing walks in the countryside.
The wide open spaces could have invented social distancing with it possible to head off in your hiking boots and only see sheep all day.
LIVELY CITY: Liverpool is a great destination for a day out.
The Inn at Whitewell, at Clitheroe, comes highly recommended by people in the know and for the real foodies over the county border in Cumbria there are currently seven Michellin star restaurants, including the two star L’Enclume in Cartmel.
Many of the North West’s restaurants and bars are back in business and for those who prefer a city break to a rural retreat the big cities are ready to lure people back with all kinds of creative ways to adapt to social distancing.
Take Liverpool’s buzzing Bold Street where city leaders have closed the road to traffic and helped the independent eateries create outside “parklets” to welcome back the punters in a socially distanced setting.
With its pretty green spaces, rich musical heritage and intriguing maritime past, the city has something for every taste. Add in the world heritage waterfront, bold architecture and vast collection of museums, coupled with its eclectic mix of bars and restaurants, and you’ll soon discover why a city break to Liverpool is an attractive proposition.
It’s a similar scene over in Manchester with restaurants opening their doors and spreading out with hip places like the Hatch on Oxford Road, exending a warm welcome to the dozens of independent retailers and street food kitchens based there.
And if outdoor eating is your thing the Knowsley Safari Park has created drive-in picnic bays for visitors after a cruise through a wonderful collection of animals from lions to rhinos to wildebeest and the famous baboons.
TOURIST ATTRACTION: Lancaster city centre.
Take time to ensure that you are in the know before you go
Summer is here and our colourful countryside, breathtaking beaches and glorious gardens beckon. Many attractions are reopening, but have restricted visitor numbers and prebooked time slots, so the UK Government recommends looking at the official websites for attractions and organisations you plan to visit before you travel, so that you’re in the know before you go. To make your days out as enjoyable as possible, we encourage you to plan your trip in advance and to check all of the important facilities and attractions, while looking after our great outdoors.
To ensure we’re all doing our bit to travel responsibly, here are a few simple steps to help make planning easy.
When planning your trip, check that important facilities – like toilets and car parks – are open before you travel so you’re not caught short. If you have an attraction in mind, please check online to see if you need to pre-book a time slot. Some places may be extremely popular, so get off the beaten track and discover a hidden gem that you can brag to friends about.
Keep two metres apart from anyone outside your household where you can. This applies to walking, running, cycling, sitting and sunbathing too. Wear a face covering at all times when on public transport like buses, trains, taxis and minicabs.
Make sure you have a bank card because many outlets are currently only accepting cashless payments and you don’t want to miss out on that ice cream. And take hand sanitiser with you – you don’t know where will be open for you to wash your
hands.
Leave the car behind where possible and visit attractions by walking or cycling.
Please remember that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different guidelines, advice and timescales for re opening tourism. To help you enjoy summer safely, please check the respective official sources for information prior to travelling by using the website visitbritain.com/gb/en/knowbefore-you-go
The mark that shows visitors we are good to go in England
With many attractions now beginning to reopen their doors, VisitEngland has come up with a way for people to check whether they are “good to go”. VisitEngland has launched the We’re Good To Go initiative in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark will provide a “ring of confidence” for visitors as the tourism sector works towards reopening.
The We’re Good To Go mark means businesses can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place, ensuring they can welcome visitors back with confidence.
The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the industry. Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I want to encourage the public to experience a great holiday this summer and be confident that they can do so safely.
“This new industry standard will show people that tourism businesses, destinations and attractions are adhering to the guidance. It puts safety first and is an important move in getting this industry back up and running.”
READY: We’re Good to Go in England
VisitEngland director Patricia Yates said: “With millions of jobs and local economies across the country reliant on tourism it is essential that businesses can get up and running as soon as the respective Government advice allows to capture the peak British summer season.“We want visitors to be able to enjoy their holidays and to support businesses to be confident they have the correct procedures in place. Our priority is to make sure tourism rebounds to once again become one of the most successful sectors of the UK economy and this ring of confidence is a crucial step on the industry’s road to rebuilding.”
To obtain the mark businesses must complete a self-assessment through the online platform goodtogo. visitbritain.com including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the We’re Good To Go mark for display in their premises and online. Businesses across the UK are assessed according to their respective national guidance including the social distancing and cleanliness protocols that must be in place.
The industry standard complements the Know Before You Go initiative
For more information on staying safe, please go to visitbritain.com/gb/en/knowbefore-you-go
