It’s where The Beatles found their iconic sound, where the world learnt the powerful impact that steam could bring to industry, and where some of Britain’s best literature was written: Northern England.
Let’s dig a little deeper and learn how Northern England changed the world.
1. St. Peter’s Church in Woolton, Liverpool.
Let’s go back in time to the afternoon of 6 July, 1957.
A local fete is in progress, and there’s a band – called the Quarrymen – performing on a small stage at the back of St. Peter’s Church in Liverpool, led by a young John Lennon.
Fast forward to that very same evening. Whilst setting up their equipment for their second performance at the fete, the Quarrymen, and specifically John Lennon, is introduced to a pimply-faced Paul McCartney – just 15-years old at the time.
John and Paul – a couple of Liverpool boys that would later become two of the biggest musical icons of the 20th century – reportedly hit it off right from the start.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Make sure you visit The Beatles Story whilst in Liverpool – an award-winning attraction that’s totally dedicated to the history-changing rock group.
Alternatively, book a seat on the Magical Mystery Tour bus for a fun 2-hour tour of famous Beatles Liverpool locations.
2. Hadrian’s Wall, stretching along the north of England – including Newcastle.
Begun during the reign of emperor Hadrian in AD 122, Hadrian’s Wall was a Roman defensive fortification built to keep out the unconquered people of Scotland to the north.
As such, it effectively marked the northern-most border of the Roman Empire – the most extensive political and social structure in the history of Western civilisation.
So if walking is your thing, walk the 135km journey from coast to coast following Hadrian’s Wall.
Or take in a shorter section of the wall where you will find forts, turrets and bridges.
Hadrian’s Wall is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern England and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
3. The Lake District, North West England.
With its rolling green hills, placid lakes, and dense forest, it’s not surprising that the Lake District in North West England inspired generations of poets, writers and artists, most notably the “Lake Poets” who were active around the turn of the 19th century.
Considered part of the Romantic movement, notable figures of this posse of poets included William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey.
If you grew up reading Beatrix Potter’s children’s books, you can combine a visit to her home, Hill Top, with a trip to the Beatrix Potter Gallery in nearby Hawkshead.
The Lake District is an easy day trip from Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool.
4. A&G Murray Mills in Manchester.
The Industrial Revolution ushered in a new phase of economic development, and it’s here – at A&G Murray Mills in Manchester – that steam was used for the first time in the 1830s to power mills and other new types of manufacturing.
These coal-fired steam engines effectively changed the world, with the technology spreading to other countries and helping Britain become the dominant power in the world during the 19th century.
Manchester is just a 2-hour train journey or 4-hour car trip from London and is one of Britain’s most culturally diverse cities.
There are also several direct flights into Manchester from Australian cities (for example with Qatar, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Etihad) so you can actually start your journey in the North.
5. The Brontë Parsonage Museum in Yorkshire.
The Brontë sisters – Charlotte, Emily and Anne – literally changed the world.
Okay, not literally, but they were key figures in the Victorian literature movement and had a massive influence on British culture, with the sisters penning such classic novels as “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights.”
The Brontë Parsonage Museum was where the Bronte sisters grew up, and is worth a visit to learn more about this trio of literary sisters.
Yorkshire is just under 3-hours from London by train.
Log onto www.agent-north.com/au and complete the Agent North program for your chance to win a trip for two people for one week in the North of England courtesy of northernengland.com.au.
How else did Northern England change the world?
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