Liverpool is having a bit of a ‘moment’. It’s cheaper and more accessible than London, and holds its own when it comes to culture (this is the place that birthed The Beatles, after all!).
A massive regeneration project has turned the Albert Docks into one of the coolest areas in the UK, full of bars, restaurants, museums, and brightly coloured boats, and a wealth of upmarket hotels and spas are all within walking distance. Spa breaks in Liverpool can include so much.
Liverpool has been famous for its spa hotels since the Victorian era, when wealthy travellers would indulge in a bathing ritual before or after a long journey by ship.
*Image: Olympus Spa, Liverpool
You can still experience this Victorian opulence at the Olympus Spa (just across the road from the Richmond Hotel), and the Titanic Hotel Spa, which features a stunning underground hydrotherapy area, full of old stone arches.
If you would rather spa away from the city centre, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is just 14 miles north of the city, and offers a full range of ESPA treatments in its massive spa area.
You can eat cheaply in Liverpool, or you can really push the boat out. Around the Baltic Triangle area there are dozens of food trucks and hipster cafes, while high-end restaurants such as The Art School and Fazenda Rodizio will please the more discerning taste buds.
*Taste-bud tickling at The Art School, image courtesy of Flickr
Liverpudlians will always find an excuse to head to the pub. Most bars and pubs open at around midday, and they might not close until 7am the next day.
Beatles fans should make a beeline for The Famous Grapes, which is stuffed full of rare memorabilia, and it’s just down the road from the legendary Cavern Club.
*Nightlife in Liverpool, image courtesy of Wikipedia
For a big night out, make sure you stop by Alma De Cuba – a stunning nightclub set in the grounds of a former church – at weekends, where bar staff fling rose petals from the balconies onto the crowds below.
Wannabe WAGs will already be familiar with Cricket, Liverpool’s best-known designer boutique. The sales are well worth a visit, although you should be prepared to fight for the ‘it’ items of the season.
*Liverpool ONE, image courtesy of Wikipedia
Liverpool ONE is an unavoidable shopping mall which is half-outside, half-inside, and packed full of High Street staples such as Zara, Mango and Debenhams. It also includes the country’s only Beauty Bazaar at Harvey Nichols.
The Metquarter and Peter’s Lane are great for designer goods, and Bold Street is the place to go if you are after quirky or unique souvenirs.
Stobo Castle
Rockliffe Hall Spa
Nirvana Spa
