"Oddfellows, 20 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1RS - Visit now. Oddfellows hotel inhabits a quirky Georgian townhouse right bang in the middle of Chester, only moments away from the river."
"Are you a creative, misfit or someone who likes to have fun?. You’ll love Oddfellows. Found in the Georgian Oddfellows Hall in the centre of Chester, this building was originally a society for those kind of people."
"This American style dive bar and restaurant is discretely hidden in part of Liverpool’s university district, so discrete you might blink and miss it. Once inside you may think you have entered the wrong place but do not let the dark decor and neon lights put you off, after all it is a death row themed restaurant. Both the decor and the menu establish the essence of death row, making you feel as though you are choosing your last meal from the menu to die for (literally)."
"Turning the waffle to the max and then some, this Hope Street potato and chorizo dish is not for the faint-hearted"
"at The Chester Grosvenor is a multi-award winning fine-dining gem that also has four AA rosettes. A dining experience you are sure to remember, Simon Radley offers an elegant and sophisticated interior perfect for celebrating a special occasion. While the menus change frequently to offer on the best ingredients available, the sample menu featuring items such as loup de mer, which is line-caught sea bass with burnt cauliflower, sweet clams, smokey citrus and fennel, and the venison with cocoa noodle, liver ganache, game saveloy and Alsace rashers will give you an idea of what will be in store for you."
"Serving the most delicious and well-portioned breakfast meals, their pancakes are a real highlight for guests. Stacked high with all the toppings, menu items include berries and cream, banoffee, peanut butter and bacon with maple syrup. Each stack includes three buttermilk pancakes, and there’s even vegan options available too!"
"Doing lots of little things right” is a definition of perfection – and this simple seafood restaurant in Chorlton is just that. The kitchen’s Essa grill is masterfully handled by co-owner (and former Lead Station chef) Recep Canliisik, who churns out char-grilled whole squid and seabream, Thai-spiced monkfish tail and possibly the best calamari in the UK."
"This cute little neighbourhood restaurant in Chorlton specialises in super-fresh seafood and are known for grilling whole fish in their charcoal oven. The wine list is also excellent. Menus change weekly depending on what is fresh and seasonal but you can view samples on their website to get an idea."
"The creative concept of husband and wife team Ellie & Steve, Liverpool Gift Gallery is a cheerful independent bringing the work of over 40 local artists – including Ellie – to West Derby village as well as attracting the attention of online Art lovers. There’s a framing service available and gorgeous gifts including cute, personalised items for every occasion. Visit Liverpool Gift Gallery here"
"\In 1924, upmarket department store Hendersons opened on Church Street where you’ll now find H&M. The Hendersons store was known as a real special occasion shop, renowned for intimidating Beauty Counter ladies who also sold chocolates!. The store went on to be so successful, it sold to Harrods in 1948, but Liverpool’s branch of Hendersons will always be linked to tragedy after the worst fire damage seen in the city since The Blitz, took hold of the building in June 1960, bringing the city centre to a standstill and resulting in 11 people losing their lives."
"From April 17, Tate Liverpool's cafe will be opening on weekends only. Its menus change seasonally and the venue offers locally sourced ingredients. All dishes are made fresh from scratch on the premises."
"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"
"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."
"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."
"Arts space and cafe LEAF was included in Guardian Travel's first "budget eats" guide to Liverpool, in 2008, and is still going strong, albeit at a new address. In the meantime, owner Natalie Haywood has branched out at the media arts centre, FACT, and at Oh Me Oh My, a weekday cafe in a grand, Grade II-listed property opposite Liverpool's totemic Liver Building. LEAF and FACT are natural allies – way beyond their preference for upper case logos – and last year cemented their union when LEAF opened the Garden cafeteria at the centre."
"Not only a great place to catch the latest films, it also puts on regular exhibitions by a range of international artists focusing on creative media and digital technology. You’ll find three galleries to explore as well as a café and bar where you can talk art and film with friends. Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday 11:00-6:00 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ 8 minute walk from LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus and a 15-minute walk from LJMU City Campus."
"FACT on Wood Street is hoping to open again from May 19 with three brand new exhibitions including Biennial artists. Soft Boys, in the foyer gallery, is a short film about queer and trans joy, specifically within the Somali culture and community. It’s free, no booking needed."
"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."
"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"