Trains 

London to Liverpool in 2 hours 55 mins

• London to Manchester in 2 hours 45 mins
• Birmingham to Manchester in 1 hour 40 mins
• Edinburgh to Manchester in 3 hours 40 mins

In the late 18th century, this area blossomed into a society of inventors and engineers who were to radically change the technological world in which we now live. One of the legacies of the industrial revolution was the excellent rail infrastructure which exists around the region.

George Stephenson supervised the building of the Liverpool and Manchester railway - "The World's First Passenger Railway," which opened in 1830. Stephenson's Rocket won the 1829 Rainhill locomotive trials easily with a top speed of 29 mph - a major advance in railway technology.

The present day British rail network infrastructure links the north-west to London, Scotland and Wales and across mainland Britain. Upgrades and repairs are ongoing so check times before setting off for trains.

• Manchester Airport has a dedicated rail station with frequent trains to to Manchester Piccadilly taking 15 mins
• Arriva Trains Northern run local trains across the north of England and between the east and west coasts on the Trans-Pennine Express route
• First North Western trains also provide services throughout the north-west of England and north Wales