Manchester Cathedral from Blackfriars Bridge / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Pimlico Badger

Manchester and Liverpool are now the third and fourth most popular destinations for foreign visitors to these shores. They travel north to revel in the history of the region, soaking up the cultural atmosphere created in equal measure by the unique characteristics of the local population and the best of architectural genius. Prime examples of superb building skills on show are the historical Three Graces of Liverpool, the dramatically modern Manchester Imperial War Museum and the soaring Hilton Hotel.

History and Culture

Both Manchester and Liverpool have rich historical and cultural roots that are celebrated today through the opening of contemporary art galleries and museums. The Manchester Art Gallery includes an impressive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and an ever-changing programme of imaginative exhibitions. In recognition of its programmes, the museum was short listed for the Guardian’s Family Friendly Museum of the Year award. Equally celebrated, the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool holds what is arguably the finest collection of decorative artworks, including those by Turner and Rembrandt.

Both cities have an excellent reputation for stage plays and theatre productions. Music contributes to the culture too with the ‘Madchester’ scene in Manchester and several bands hailing from Liverpool, going back to The Beatles.

Liverpool / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by djmcaleese

Hospitality

Both cities are well known for the warm and lively characteristics of the people who make their homes there. A vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere exists in both cities, with both Manchester and Liverpool hospitality offering diverse restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs. One of the most recent additions to Manchester’s hospitality is the Cloud 23 Skyline Bar at the Hilton Hotel in Deansgate. Cloud 23 exudes sophistication, serving exclusive cocktails against a cityscape backdrop viewed through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Not to be outdone, Liverpool offers the Panoramic on the 34th floor of West Tower with stunning 360° views across the city to the Wirral peninsular. For those who like to keep their feet more firmly on the ground, both cities have an array of fine dining restaurants and bars offering both local and international cuisine.

Shopping

For the best in designer shopping in contemporary, sophisticated surroundings, both Manchester and Liverpool have everything for the discerning shopper from main chain store outlets to exclusive and unusual designer or vintage boutique shops.

When in Liverpool, visit the exclusive Metquarter for fashion and beauty outlets or the elegant Victorian arcades of Lord Street in Southport, in the Liverpool city region outside the city centre. No visit to Manchester would be complete without a visit to Afflecks, an astonishing maze where you can buy practically anything you can think of from the 50 independent outlets that range over five floors.

Manchester stadium / Agnieszka Mieszczak

Sports

Both Manchester and Liverpool are rightly proud of their football teams, both of which put the cities firmly on the sporting map. Liverpool’s football teams, Liverpool and Everton, are not the only claims to sporting fame for the city, as it is also home to the world famous Grand National horse race held each year at the Aintree Racecourse. Manchester too shares a dual football identity with the internationally famous teams of Manchester United and Manchester City.

Sometimes it seems the world is getting smaller, but it’s also true that a wider appreciation and willingness to explore has revealed many previously hidden riches in two of England’s most beautiful northern cities.

About the author: Francesca is a freelancer who proudly hails from the city of Liverpool! She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the city as a great tourism desitination, as well as the UK as a whole. This guest post was written on behalf of the University of Liverpool.

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Albert Dock, Liverpool, UK / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ronald Saunders

Tourists often stick to the most well-known places such as London, Oxford and Cambridge, but there are some fantastic gems in the north of England. If you love looking around cities, which have a mix of old architecture and new, then you must plan some time to explore the northern cities of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. All three have very relevant history within very different industries, but are often overlooked as a tourist destination. This is a great shame, as they all over some fantastic sights.

Liverpool

Birthplace of the Beatles, Liverpool, of course, gives you the opportunity to explore the legend of this fantastic band. The Cavern Club, where they first started out, still has live bands playing, so you may get the chance to see the next big group live at the Cavern. The Albert docks of Liverpool provide some very unique shops, which focus on vintage styles as well as the style of the town. For a more modern shopping experience, head to the city centre in particularly towards the new Liverpool One shopping mall, and enjoy the sights of old architectural buildings inhabiting modern stores along the way to it.

Leeds

Leeds became what it is today through its cotton industry, but now it’s a hot spot for fantastic architecture and great nights out. If you’re a fan of cabaret and stand-up then you must go to the famous City Varieties. Although small in size city Varieties are constantly pushing the boundaries of known theatre, and did so successfully last winter with their Rock n’ Roll pantomime. But there’s plenty to see in Leeds in the day, too. Just opposite some very stylish city flats of Clarence dock is the Royal Armouries Museum. The museum will take you on a journey through the history of Anglo-Saxon warfare and weaponry. You can witness some live-action sword fights in this museum, while looking at the largest armoury collection of the country.

Leeds Castle, England, United Kingdom / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Dimo Dimov

Manchester

Although Manchester is renowned for its successful football team, it is giving Liverpool a run for its money in terms of being the hottest place for music hits. The music scene of the city is referred to as “Madchester” and has been the beginning of bands such as Oasis and The Stone Roses. It’s also held an annual Jazz festival for 17 years and counting. Architecture-wise you will discover some of the most beautiful red-brick buildings of the UK as well as some of the most contemporary ones. The  Lowry centre, for example, not only shows off the masterpieces of one of England’s most famous artists, but is a work of art itself.

These are just three hidden gems of the UK, and this is just sticking to cities. There’s plenty of unique countryside to discover on your way to each, so be sure to plan enough time to explore it all.

This article was written by Sarah Oxley on behalf of ONE UK, your key to trendy flats in Manchester and the north of England.

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