Highlights of North West England: Manchester, Liverpool & the Lake District

With its clock tower and striking Victorian architecture, The Principal Manchester is an unmistakable landmark in the city's skyline. A magnificent, terracotta Grade II listed building, the hotel has a history dating back to 1890, when it first opened as The Refuge Assurance Company headquarters.

Opposite Oxford Road Station and just a 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, The Principal Manchester is perfectly placed for business travel and weekend getaways, and is close to many of the city's attractions.

Explore this city independently and at your own pace. Take in the history and sights as a double-decker bus whisks you around the city. Get off the bus at attractions that interest you and spend as much time as you would like there without the rush of a group before boarding the bus again to learn the history and stories in between sights with your pre-recorded commentary.

The hotel offers bright, comfortable rooms infused with natural light through the floor-to-ceiling windows. With stylish decor and amenities, some rooms feature great views over the Docks & river Mersey, or Chavasse Park & Liverpool One.

The award-winning the Beatles Story is the world's largest, permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of the Beatles. Located in the Fab Four's hometown of Liverpool on the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Albert Dock. The Beatles story will take you on an atmostpheric journey through the lives, times and music of the world's greatest band.

Living History audio guides are available in ten different languages and narrated by John Lennon's sister, Julia.

You can also enjoy a number of interactive experiences including a map of Great Britain allowing you to explore musical roots across the country, a video history booth to record your own memories and an exclusive Ringo Starr interactive drum lesson.

The hotel is situated on the shores of one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations at the top of a private driveway, about 2.5 km away from the centre of Bowness. The hotel can comfortably trace its origins back to the 1900s, when the stone walls of the original hotel first graced the banks of Lake Windermere. There are 57 rooms in total. Guests are welcomed in the lobby with 24-hour reception and check-out services and a hotel safe. Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar and dine in the breakfast/dining room. The rooms are traditionally decorated and equipped with a TV, a radio alarm clock and a hairdryer. All are en suite with a shower and bathtub. Standard in-room amenities include a direct dial telephone, Internet access and tea and coffee making facilities. Guests are invited to take a refreshing dip in the indoor swimming pool.

Highlights of the Ten Lakes Spectacular Tour are Ambleside, Rydal, Grasmere, Thirlmere, Borrowdale Valley, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Newlands Valley, Keswick (lunch stop), Castlerigg Stone Circle, Kirkstone Pass and Windermere.

The Lake District is renowned for being the "most beautiful corner of England" and this full-day tour introduces you to just that.

The magnificent scenery of mountains, valleys and lakes from the south to the north. The tour includes a visit to the 4,000-year-old Castlerigg Stone Circle set high on the fells, and time in Keswick for lunch.

You travel over passes, through beautiful valleys, see waterfalls and traditional Lakeland villages. You have plenty of stops for admiring the views and taking photographs.