Hi R,
I grew up in Liverpool, worked for many years in Manchester and now live in one of the National Parks so I might have some information for you
There's quite a spread geographically and photographically you could cover but here would be were I would spend my time:-
Liverpool - the Albert Dock and port, the Liver Buildings, the Three Graces (there is a free photography gallery called the Open Eye gallery here too). For people watching, there's Europe's oldest Chinatown (centred around Nelson Street), Bold Street. On the outskirts there's Sefton Park and the area around Lark Lane. There are two cathedrals; one Catholic and modern, the other Protestant and classic. You've obviously got tons of Beatles stuff to see if you're that way inclined like Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, 20 Forthlin Road (McCartney's home) and "Mendips" at 251 Menlove Avenue (Lennon's home). If you google "
The National Trust UK" you'll find details of historic houses and gardens around Liverpool like Speke Hall
Manchester - a thriving big Chinatown, the centre around Piccadilly Gardens, National Trust stately homes such as Tatton Park (huge) and Dunham Massey. Jodrell Bank space radio telescope, lots of old industrial past like canals and old mill buildings
I live in
Snowdonia which is one of the National Parks in Wales (about an hours drive from Liverpool) and its best if you just have a look through my website
www.alunallcock.com where most of the pictures taken are from Snowdonia which has many beautiful, unspolit mountains and seascapes. Highlights (with easy access) I would point you to are Cwm Idwal near Bethesda (Charles Darwin visited many times as its geologically very interesting), Pen Y Pass below Snowdon,
anywhere on the coast of Anglesey, South Stack and Penmon lighthouses on Anglesey
Public transports not great once you stray from the city centres so I would suggest renting a car.
Hope this helps
Alun