One of the UK's major cities, Manchester has an excellent network of roads both in and around the city centre, and if you're looking to head out elsewhere in the north. When leaving Manchester Airport in your hire car, you'll find the M56 will take you either west towards Chester, or east to the M60.

Once you have picked up your hire car from Manchester Airport you'll be able to get straight on your way thanks to the city's comprehensive motorway system. Head west on the M56 for Chester and Liverpool, or to pick up the M6; head east for Manchester or to pick up the M62 and M66.

The M62 runs the breadth of northern England, and you can head to Liverpool and Warrington by travelling west or to Leeds and Hull by driving east along this motorway. Conversely, the M6 runs almost the length of the country – travel north and you can access Cumbria, The Lake District and Scotland, travel south and you can visit Stafford, Birmingham or London.

If you are heading into the city centre the M60 ring road will give you direct access to all of the popular attractions such as Old Trafford and the Manchester Arena, Media City or Manchester Central Convention Complex. It is also the gateway to Greater Manchester, including the towns of Rochdale, Bolton and Bury.

All roads off the M60 head into the city centre, and all major routes are clearly signposted. For Salford take the M602 – where you will find the Quays and Media City, home to the BBC in the north. Take the A56 for Old Trafford, and the A57 for the Etihad Stadium.

You will find the Mancunian Way (A57M) and Trinity Way easy to navigate once you get into the city. As most major cities, large parts of the centre are pedestrianised, and there is a one way system in operation in places to help ease congestion. Manchester‘s tram system, the Metrolink, runs alongside roads and pedestrian zones – and two of the major tram stops are located at Piccadilly Gardens and Deansgate.

From exploring the wonders of the universe at the nearby Jodrell Bank, to spotting wildlife at the National Trust sites of Dunham Massey and Tatton Park there is plenty for you to discover on arrival at Manchester Airport.

For the great outdoors you can walk, trek and mountain bike your way round the Peak District, visiting the many charming villages, such as of Rainow and Bonsall – accessed to the east from Stockport or Macclesfield.

Or you may want to experience the drama and moorlands of The Pennines mountain range, an outstanding area of natural beauty that divides the two historic rivals of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Enjoy afternoon tea in the quaint market towns of the Ribble Valley – or ‘Little Switzerland' as some call it. The largest of these towns is Clitheroe, with its 12th century Norman keep. By way of contrast, Blackpool is brighter and more than a little noisier, but this classic seaside resort still attracts 15 million visitors every year – many to see the illuminations in autumn.

Take a trip over the border into Wales and enjoy a beachside retreat on the northern coastline. Llandudno still showcases its heritage as a Victorian seaside resort through its elegant design and beautiful pier, or for something a bit more relaxing, head to the island of Anglesey and enjoy an afternoon by the sea on one of its golden beaches.

You'll find Chester to the west, easy to reach with a hire car from the airport. Head down the M56 and you can walk the city walls, take a seat in a real-life Roman amphitheatre or explore the Tudor-inspired architecture with a visit to Rows, the city centre's main shopping district.

For music fans, a trip westbound on the M62 to neighbouring Liverpool is a must. As the birthplace of the world's most famous band, The Beatles, you'll find a whole host of attractions and museums paying homage to the Fab Four. Why not take a trip down Penny Lane and see if you can spot that barber's shop Paul McCartney sings about, or head to the Cavern Club – the venue where the band first found fame.

If you're looking to stay in and around Manchester itself, shopaholics will appreciate the Trafford Centre, the UK's second largest indoor shopping complex, where you can also catch a film. Next door you will find the Chill Factore where you can tackle the UK's longest indoor slope, complete with real snow.

Whether you're wanting to explore Manchester, or take in the wider north-west, hiring a car at Manchester Airport can easily get you to your desired destination.