Liverpool

57 mins from Piccadilly

With 30 million passengers a year, Manchester Piccadilly is the nexus of North West rail. Our Manhattan residents can walk there in 10 minutes, perfect for a spontaneous trip or last-minute meetup. If you fancy a day out in another city, Liverpool never disappoints - the Georgian Quarter, docks and music venues are on the right side of romantic. Check out record store Jacaranda, and Santa Chupitos for brain-melting cocktails.

Blackpool

1 hr 16 mins from Piccadilly

Can you really say you've experienced a British summer without burger sauce blown over your shirt from a rollercoaster? Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the epitome of cheap laughs that always surprise you. On top, there are mini golf courses, a water park, nature reserves and the old-school viewing deck of Blackpool Tower. Head straight there from Manchester; an off-peak return ticket costs £20 on the day.

Clitheroe

1 hr 16 mins, Victoria

The city’s other major station, squatting just a short tram ride from the Metrolink station outside our AXIS apartments, takes you to a lot of villages and greener ground. One of them is Clitheroe: a market town that launches you off into Pendle Hill, the Forest of Bowland and Ribble Valley. Hikers are in heaven but there’s plenty to enjoy in the town walls too, including The Assheton Arms, Lancashire Life’s Dining Pub of the Year, and live music and theatre from The Grand on York Street.

Oxenholme

1 hr 8 mins, Piccadilly

Also known as ‘the Lake District railway station’, Oxenholme brings you to the edge of civilization, where a Kendal mint cake at 10AM seems like a good idea. The village doesn’t have a church, so is technically a hamlet, but don’t tell anyone! Take your camping gear and thermos, relishing the many walks spiralling from the platform gates.

York

1 hr 20 mins, Victoria

The Queen has to ask permission to visit, but we don’t… What’s more, you can catch a direct service from Victoria Station, filling your day with pub grub, museum tours, a stop at 1331 (York’s steadfast artsy drinking spot) and a sleepy trip home again. It’s quite beautiful when you catch the light right: the river spotted with geese, York Gate Garden full of flowers and kids covered in bubble-gum ice cream.

Edale

43 mins, Piccadilly

Ever hit The Pennine Way? Let Edale wave you off or welcome you back – this village marks the start or end of Britain’s oldest walking route, depending on where you’re at. Winnats Pass, a limestone gorge, is also nearby. You won’t run out of painterly landscapes but if thirst strikes, there’s a pub – The Old Nag’s Head – and a four-star guesthouse.

Delamere Forest

1 hr 11 mins, Piccadilly

Lastly, we want to flag the verdant environs of Cheshire and the Delamere Forest, 24,000 acres of woodland fit for a whiskey label. A train from Piccadilly goes straight to the forest station. Nearby you’ll find a Go Ape treetop adventure centre, bikes for hire and the Black Lake Nature Reserve. A whole day isn’t enough. Tune into the birdsong and see how lost you get.

That should do it for brazen escapes. Manchester will keep you connected and inspired for any rail trip, which winds down perfectly to a luxury home in the city centre. Check out the available apartments for a move this summer or whenever you’re ready for more style and convenience! We’re taking viewings now.