Sparkling winter breaks in Liverpool and Manchester
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As daylight hours grow shorter, Liverpool and Manchester shine bright. Whatever the weather forecast, clients can swap peak-season queues for relaxed gallery strolls, live music in historic venues and fine dining in characterful restaurants. From reimagined warehouses and urban spas to world-class museums and cutting-edge arts spaces, city breaks in the north-west of England don’t hibernate during the winter months, they light up with fresh energy.
Liverpool
What to do
British Music Experience
Located in Liverpool’s Cunard Building, the British Music Experience is a museum dedicated to celebrating British popular music. Spanning from 1945 to the present day, it features more than 600 stage outfits, instruments, handwritten lyrics, and multimedia exhibits. Your clients can explore memorabilia from legends like David Bowie, Queen and The Spice Girls, and engage with interactive displays and vocal booths. The museum also hosts live events and temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
The Beatles Story
Explore the Fab Four’s Liverpool beginnings at The Beatles Story. Found on the Royal Albert Dock waterfront, the museum features rare memorabilia such as original instruments and handwritten song lyrics, alongside recreated versions of the Cavern Club and Abbey Road Studios. Multimedia guides in 12 languages offer superfans from all over the world the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the story.
The Cavern Club
Experience an authentical Liverpool night out at the Cavern Club on Mathew Street, made famous by The Beatles who played hundreds of gigs here in the 1960s. Beyond its Beatles legacy, the Cavern Club is still at the heart of Liverpool’s music scene, hosting regular live performances every week in its arched cellar. For a deeper dive into Beatles history, clients can join the Cavern Club’s Magical Mystery Tour – a guided coach trip taking in key landmarks such as Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and the childhood homes of the Fab Four. Commentary along the way is accompanied by a soundtrack of the band’s greatest hits (winter schedule: Monday to Sunday between 10am and 2pm).
Where to stay
The Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool
Once Liverpool’s grand civic headquarters, the 19th-century Grade II-listed Municipal Building with its imposing columns and striking sandstone facade now houses the Municipal Hotel. Part of Accor’s MGallery Hotel Collection, the AA five-star rated offering features 179 rooms and suites, alongside marble floors and high ceilings which add an extra touch of heritage grandeur. The Thermae Spa includes an indoor pool, Himalayan salt sauna, steam room and treatment spaces. Guests can enjoy classic dishes at Seaforth Restaurant, indulge in pastries at the Botanic Tearoom, or sip cocktails beneath palm trees and a vaulted glass roof in Palm Court – the hotel’s glistening centrepiece.
Titanic Hotel
Set in the restored Grade-II listed Stanley Dock warehouse complex built in the 19th century, the Titanic Hotel has turned industrial heritage into a design feature. The 153-bedrooms boast exposed brickwork, steel columns and original Victorian warehouse windows, matched with contemporary furnishings and amenities. The hotel’s Stanley’s Bar and Grill serves regional produce, while the Rum Bar holds a wide selection of the spirit, accompanied by an expansive cocktail menu. Relaxation takes centre stage at Maya Blue Wellness, an underground spa featuring a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room.
The Halyard
This seven-story luxury hotel in Liverpool’s historic Ropewalks district, the site of former 18th-century rope-making warehouses, is IHG’s first Vignette Collection hotel in the UK. The Halyard boasts 133 guest rooms, a gym, a 200-seater restaurant and bar, as well as a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views across the city. Named after the nautical term for a rope knot, the Halyard pays homage to Liverpool’s maritime heritage with its elegant industrial interiors. Located in the heart of the city, major attractions are only a short walk away, while the hotel is fully wheelchair accessible.
Maldron Liverpool City Centre
A four-star hotel just a short walk from Liverpool Lime Street, Maldron offers 268 modern guest rooms with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms with rainfall showers. The on-site Grain & Grill restaurant offers all-day dining, while the Red Bean Roastery café is open for breakfast and coffee. Located in the St George’s Quarter, it’s within a few minutes’ walk of the Empire Theatre, World Museum and St George’s Hall.
More information for the Travel Trade:
More information for the Travel Trade
Visit Liverpool: https://www.visitliverpool.com/visitor-information/travel-trade/
Manchester
What to do
Visit Manchester Pass
See more of Manchester in less time – and for less money. This digital Visit Manchester Pass includes entry to major attractions like the Manchester City Stadium Tour, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Bridgewater and the National Football Museum, plus discounts at selected restaurants, shops and hotels. Clients can choose a One-, Two- or Three-day pass to build a culture-packed winter itinerary.
Scranchester Tours
Explore Manchester’s history through its food markets and independent eateries on these guided walks by Scranchester, with plenty of stops to sample the region’s delicacies. Themed routes cover areas such as the Northern Quarter, Chinatown, and Ancoats, with commentary on topics like the Industrial Revolution or the influence of immigration on the city’s food scene. Winter tours can mean smaller groups and easier access to venues. Private bespoke group bookings are also available.
Aviva Studios
Manchester’s landmark new cultural venue – and home to Factory International and the Manchester International Festival – sits on the River Irwell in the St John’s district. Designed by Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), Aviva Studios is a flexible arts space which features a 1,600-seat auditorium and a 5,000-capacity warehouse space for performances. Expect cutting-edge theatre, contemporary art installations, live music and film premieres under one roof, with a year-round programme of events.
Where to stay
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
A landmark on Oxford Street, the luxurious Kimpton Clocktower Hotel occupies the Grade II-listed former Refuge Assurance building, blending the 19th-century original structure, a 1930s addition, and a striking clocktower extension. No two of the 275 rooms and suites are alike, featuring signature Kimpton Beds, white-tiled bathrooms, in-room record players with vinyl collections (suites only), and optional in-room Technogym equipment for private workouts. Guests can explore the city on rented hotel bikes and dine at The Refuge offering globally inspired sharing plates in an industrial-chic setting. Additional touches include a fully equipped fitness centre with a Peloton® exercise bike, a Corner Shop and a Music Concierge.
Treehouse Manchester
Located on Deansgate, Treehouse Manchester opened its doors in March 2025, bringing its signature playful and eco-conscious design to the city. Spread across 14 floors, the hotel offers 224 rooms, multiple event spaces, a screening room and a gym. Clients can expect quirky features such as up-cycled furniture made from natural wood and vintage-style quilts. A variety of dining experiences including a rooftop restaurant and bar with far-reaching city views, is also available. With a focus on sustainability, Treehouse Manchester champions renewable energy and green practices, which includes a living green wall, a kitchen garden, and a rooftop apiary producing the hotel’s own honey.
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate
Right on Albert Square, Malmaison’s Manchester Deansgate outpost is located beside Manchester Town Hall and a short stroll from the theatres, shops and bars of the Northern Quarter. Its 70 rooms are compact but stylish, with bold and colourful 1960s- and 1970s-inspired design touches. Clients can mix and match small plates at Sora, the hotel’s rooftop Japanese sushi restaurant, while taking in the panoramic views across the city, including of Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall.
Information for the Travel Trade:
Information for the Travel Trade
https://www.visitmanchester.com/visitor-information/travel-trade/
