Meet 100 iron men on the beach

Just outside of Liverpool is Crosby beach and home to a 100 cast iron figures displaying the work of Antony Gormley. If that doesn't inspire you the “Angel of the North," a 66 feet sculpture of an angel in Gateshead will. Then travel to the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle that houses the paintings of Goya, El Greco and Canaletto.

See rock history in the making

Right from the 60s, Manchester has launched the careers of musical legends. By visiting museum Urbis in Manchester, you can see rock history with the Factory Records Tour, with stops including the Free Trade Hall (the venue of the legendary first Sex Pistols gig) and the site of the original Hacienda nightclub, made famous by the film “24 Hour Party People.” If you want to keep the party going, get on the "60s Magical Musical Tour" with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Ike, Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix and The Bay City Rollers.