Looking forward to the Queen Is Dead event in Manchester next year, which could very well mean a large amount of lolitas visiting from overseas, I wanted to put together a few suggestions on places that lolitas might be interested to visit while in the North West of England. I know that a lot of people when visiting from overseas are more interested in seeing the sights that are famous in London, but there are many interesting places to visit in the North West also.

A few places were already suggested by the venue in this post, including Afflecks Palace (shopping centre for alternative clothing) and various eateries, as well as the Arcade in Bury, and a few places more to the North East, so I wanted to put together a list of other things that might be interesting to visitors.

I know that there are a lot of people who are interested in both lolita fashion as well as things like trains and trams and engineering and so for anyone interested in things like that, I want to suggest checking out the places listed on the Greater Manchester Transport Heritage website - this has the heritage railway which starts in Bury, so pretty good to combine with the arcade if you're going to be there already. There is also information about the science and industry museum in manchester which has exhibits about steam engineering, textiles, and early computers. There are a few other places on the website which I don't think I've been to also – they will probably be going on my list.

The Trafford Centre is really beautiful for shopping, it doesn't have the same alternative vibe as Afflecks but it definitely fits for a more elegant style, there is a lot of interesting architecture, many active fountains, and it is well maintained. And one day I would love to get a picture at the enormous marble staircase near the food court. Recently opened nearby also was the Trafford Palazzo, which has a Primark, an aquarium, and a Legoland Discovery Centre. I haven't been here yet since the reopening, but I visited while it was being built, and it was already really beautiful while still being a work in progress.

Since a lot of people will be travelling from other countries and might be interested in exploring more around the North West of England, there is also Liverpool less than an hour away on the train, which has its own art galleries and museums that are beautiful and interesting, but I think what really stands out for visiting Liverpool if you're already in Manchester is actually exhibits about things like boats and naval history (for any sailor lolitas). There is the Maritime Museum, and I really enjoyed the exhibit Western Approaches for a look at women's naval history. Plus if there is anyone interested in the Beatles, a lot of people visiting from overseas are interested in checking out things relating to this group.