http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/Prime_issue2

Issssue Two: wherre culturre comess firrsst

www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com Insside

TURNER PRIZE COMES TO LIVERPOOL PLUS THE LOWDOWN ON STAYING IN THE CITY MANCHESTER’S ART TREASURES EXHIBITION – 150 YEARS ON INCLUDING THE CULTURE LIST FOR ENGLAND’S NORTHWEST

PRIME SPOTS: England’s Norrthwesst

PRIME SUSPECT: Maxine Peake What was the first/best gig you went to?

My first gig was going to see The Charlatans at The Crown and Cushion Pub in Bolton, just after they released Indian Rope. I was 14.

Was there anything particular about Northwest culture that inspired you to do what you’ve done/what you do now?

The music scene in the late 80s or early 90s

What’s your favourite Northwest originated song or piece of music?

The Smiths album The Queen is Dead.

Blue Monday or Happy Monday?

Happy Monday

What was your first/best experience of going to a gallery or museum?

Going to the Egyptology section at Bolton Museum from school.

RADA-trained Boltonian Maxine Peake got her big break when she was cast as Twinkle in Victoria Wood’s TV series Dinnerladies.

COLOPHON

Prime is published by the Marketing Department of the Northwest Development Agency.

Issue two – September 2007.

To register for future issues of Prime please visit www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com/culture or call 0845 600 6040.

Prime is edited and designed by Hemisphere Design and Marketing Consultants.

Printed by Gyroscope on paper manufactured using elemental chlorine-free pulp and woodpulp sourced from sustainable forests.

Cover photography of Tate Liverpool by Jan Chlebik.

First Off illustration by Firestep.

Prime Cuts imagery: The Snail by Matisse; The Hacienda by Ian Tilton; Madonna and Child with Saint John and Angels (The Manchester Madonna)

by Michelangelo, courtesy of The National Gallery, London; Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre by Andrew Eccles.

Essentials and Culture List photography by Jonty Wilde and Jan Chlebik with additional material courtesy of Marketing Manchester and Liverpool Culture Company.

Her great versatility on stage and screen has led to a wide variety of theatre, film and TV roles ranging in scope from Chekov to Clocking Off.

Probably most famous (or should that be infamous?) for her portrayal of the once-encountered-never-forgotten Veronica in Channel 4’s top-rated series Shameless.

Bunny Men or Diddy Men? Bunny Men Morrissey or McCartney?

Morrissey

What’s your favourite painting/piece of art/sculpture?

B of the Bang, by Thomas Hetherwick at the City of Manchester Stadium

Peter Blake or Peter Saville?

Peter Saville

What was your first/best experience of going to the theatre?

Streetcar Named Desire at the Octagon theatre in Bolton with Susannah Yorke as Blanche.

Welcome to the Pleasure Beach or Welcome to the Pleasure Dome?

Pleasure Dome!

Do you have a favourite Northwest pub or restaurant? If so, what’s special about it?

I’d have to say South nightclub in Manchester on a Friday night. Great music and a fresh atmosphere.

Beatrix Potter or Brian Potter?

Beatrix Potter

Eccles Cake or Kendal Mint Cake?

Eccles Cake

Do you have a favourite Northwest local food?

Flaky pastry Can you suggest a ‘hidden gem’ in your home town/neighbourhood?

The Japanese Gardens at Rivington Pike, near Bolton What’s the one thing in your home town/neighbourhood that people really shouldn’t miss if they go there?

As above

All maps are source: Ordnance Survey, Crown Copyright, All Rights Reserved. GD 021102.

All information correct at time of going to press but event information may change, so please check directly with venues for up-to-date information.

35

PRIME NUMBERS: Contentss Intrrigue me, Insspirre me, Amusse me, Pleasse me…

If culture is the key to appreciating what life has to offer, you can expect to have your cake and eat it in England’s Northwest.

As you would expect in the region that gave birth to the very idea of the modern city, the Northwest has its own particular take on culture.

It’s not a case of high brow or low brow, alternative or mainstream — in England’s Northwest all shades of the cultural spectrum not only coexist, but intermingle in inventive and eccentric ways.

We call it liveable culture — culture that’s ‘always on’. A visit to England’s Northwest is a voyage of discovery into what happens when you take all that rich heritage and tradition and mix it with an unmatched drive to explore the ‘what if?’ Self-belief, bloody-mindedness, chutzpah call it what you want, but the result is an energy and excitement that delivers a tangible buzz.

You can feel it in the remarkable face-lift taking place on the streets of Liverpool as it gears up for its moment in the spotlight as European Capital of Culture 2008. You can feel it in Manchester’s celebration of how it shocked society in 1857 by staging what is still the world’s largest ever temporary art exhibition So isn’t it time you decided to put culture first and take a trip to where it’s all happening? In this issue of Prime you’ll find everything you need to know to enjoy a great cultural break in England’s Northwest.

Enjoy!

FEATURES: Page 4

FIRST OFF: The Turrnerr Prize

Page 8

PRIME LOCATIONS: 48 hourrss in Liverrpool

Find out what all the fuss is about as the annual tabloid-bating art award heads to Liverpool.

How to make the most of a weekend in one of the UK’s most friendly and welcoming cities.

PRIME CUTS: Page 10 Eventss forr autumn 2007 There’s so much going on in England’s Northwest this autumn you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Page 11 Arrt Treassurress in

Manchessterr

Celebrating 150 years since Manchester staged the world’s biggest ever temporary art exhibition.

PRIME SUSPECT: Page 35 Maxine Peake

Bolton’s finest leading lady tells us what makes Northwest culture great.

THE ESSENTIAL LISTS: Where to stay, what to see and do...

Page 16 Page 22 Page 28 Page 30 Page 32

Liverrpool Manchessterr Blackpool & Lancasshirre Chessterr & Chesshirre Cumbrria – The Lake Disstrrict THE CULTURE LISTS:

Everything you need to know about museums, galleries, theatres and music venues...

Page 20 Page 26 Page 29 Page 31 Page 34

Liverrpool Manchessterr Blackpool & Lancasshirre Chessterr & Chesshirre Cumbrria – The Lake Disstrrict 3

FIRST OFF:

Turrnerr Prize

(with apologies to Damien Hirst) 4

The Shock of the New Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it.

The Turner Prize is the controversial fi xture of the contemporary art world calendar and is invariably accompanied by the usual media hoopla. Every year the tabloids get hot under the collar about the predominance of conceptual artists on the shortlist and the lack of ‘proper’ painters, lazily trotting out that hoary old chestnut “but is it art?”

The location of this year’s Turner Prize in Liverpool, the city designated as European Capital of Culture 2008, will hopefully give a reason to pause and rethink before receiving the usual, knee-jerk response. Because the abiding purpose of the award is to bring new art to new audiences and — media circus or not — there’s no denying that it has a pretty good track record of achieving just this.

Take a roll call of previous Turner Prize winners such as Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Chris Ofili, Rachel Whitread and Damien Hirst, to name but a few. These once terrifying enfants terrible of the contemporary art scene are now close to being positively ‘establishment’. 1986 winners Gilbert and George could even be considered to have passed into the pantheon of ‘national treasures’, alongside Eric and Ernie, Alan Bennett and Barbara Windsor.

So, for 2007, why not embrace the whole over-the-top, bookie-friendly, tabloid-baiting razamatazz of it and make a visit to Tate Liverpool to find out what all the fuss is about? Just keep away from the Brian Sewell ‘contemporary-art-is-a-con-trick’ school of thought and open your mind to the potential of what could and should be meaningful ways of artistic expression for the 21st century.

This year’s shortlist is a very direct indication of what artists are trying to address and communicate in the here and now. Politics rather than paint is the overriding theme with the shortlisted four turning their attention to issues such as the Iraq war, terrorism and religious strife, all topics with deep resonances in modern-day Britain.

But whatever previous show the individual artists have been nominated for, it’s what they do at Tate Liverpool that matters. The shows that they create for the Turner Prize exhibition will fundamentally influence the final result and as they are all artists who have a track record of looking at issues of history, place and memory it will be interesting to see what they do in a city with such a strong sense of all three.

Turner Prize 2007 will be on display at Tate Liverpool from 19 October 2007 to 13 January 2008.

5

What the critics say “Whoever wins, this year’s exhibition of work by the shortlisted artists is bound to be one of the most interesting of the year.”

Richard Dorment, The Daily Telegraph “This Turner Prize has the makings of a thematic exhibition about place and history” Adrian Searle, The Guardian

And this year’s short-listed candidates are…

Nathan Coley

Zarina Bhimji

39 year-old Glaswegian artist who specialises in arresting architectural installations and sculptures that focus on the impact of social values and religious and political on the built environment. Among his best-known are a scale model of the old Marks and Spencer store in Manchester demolished after it was damaged by an IRA bomb and the public installation Camouflage Church at Spain’s Santiago de Compostela. One critic described an installation where he filled a gallery with cardboard models of every place of worship listed in the Edinburgh telephone directory as “one of those works of art that once seen is never forgotten”.

What the bookies say:

This Ugandan born artist whose family fled to Britain to escape Idi Amin’s brutal dictatorship in 1974 is best-known for her beautiful but haunting films and photographs that deal with the persistence of traces of the past. In her recent work she has returned to Uganda and recorded the country’s landscape over an eight year period as it recovers from Amin’s despotism, demonstrating what she calls the “subdued sadness” still felt by Ugandan people today.

What the bookies say:

3/1 joint second favourite What the judges say:

“...makes you think about the struggle between church and State, and how the State is telling us not to be religious...”

Nathan Coley Camouflage Mosque (Gold) 2006 © Nathan Coley. Courtesy doggerfisher and Haunch of Venison

5/1 outsider What the judges say:

“...powerful, atmospheric and poignant… deeply romantic imagery with a strong sense of portent, of disquiet..”

Zarina Bhimji Your Sadness is Drunk 2001–2006 © Zarina Bhimji. DACS, London 2007.

Courtesy Haunch of Venison

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The Turner Prize – the facts Originally set up with the stated purpose of bringing new art to new audiences, the Turner Prize has been awarded since 1984 and is organised by the Tate.

• It is awarded to the artist considered to have produced the best body of new work in the previous 12 months • The prize is named after the great British painter JMW Turner. Although now seen as a traditional painter, in his day in the late 19th century Turner was seen as a controversial figure, eliciting disdain from conservative critics. It was also one of his ambitions to set up an award for young artists.

• The Turner prize is notorious for the high profile protests it has received, most notably from the self-styled art terrorists, Liverpudlians Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty, aka The K Foundation, in 1993.

Their announcement that they would award £40,000 to the worst artist upstaged the ‘real’ prize, and left audiences wondering who was having a laugh at who’s expense when sculptor Rachel Whiteread won and accepted both prizes.

• The artists have to be nominated for a particular show, not a body of work.

Each judge chooses a number of shows to nominate and they then meet together to hammer out a short list of four.

• To qualify for the Turner Prize shortlist, the artists have to be under 50 and born in or living and working in Britain.

• This means that the shows nominated by the jurors are not the same shows that the public will see at Tate Liverpool – and why, despite what the bookies may think – the Turner prize is never a done deal,

• The Turner prize jury consists of four specialists from the contemporary art world plus one juror with no professional or commercial connection to the field.

This year’s independent judge is Cheshire-born writer and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer.

• The chosen artists then have a few months to prepare a new individual show for the Turner Prize exhibition. The judges then meet again a few weeks after the exhibition has opened to choose the winner.

• The winning artist receives a cash prize of £25,000.

Odds correct at time of going to press

Mike Nelson

Mark Wallinger

This 39 year-old London-based artist was shortlisted for the Turner Prize once before in 2001. He is noted for building labyrinthine interiors through which his viewers are invited to wander. Entering a typical Nelson work you find yourself in a rabbit warren of corridors and shabby rooms where, often enough, it is clear that something has happened or some story has unfolded, but it is up to you to imagine what might have taken place. One critic described the experience as “like picking up a short story and finding yourself in the middle of it.”

What the bookies say:

48 year-old London-based artist was previously nominated in 1995. His recent work looks at what he calls “the politics of representation and the representation of politics” as well as exploring the notion of Britishness and the construction of national identity. He is nominated for the installation State Britain, his 40 metre-long reconstruction of the flags and banners the government seized from anti-war protester Brian Haw’s camp outside the Houses of Parliament. Wallinger has said that his work expresses his anger at the war in Iraq and the Government’s clampdown on freedom of speech and erosion of civil liberties.

What the bookies say:

3/1 joint second favourite What the judges say:

“...immersive installations transport the viewer to imaginary, yet plausible, worlds...”

Mike Nelson AMNESIAC SHRINE or Double Coop Displacement 2006 Matt’s Gallery © Mike Nelson.

Courtesy the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London.

11/10 favourite What the judges say:

“...evokes a heightened sense of reality that communicates an unpalatable political truth...”

Mark Wallinger State Britain 2007 Installation view at Tate Britain © Mark Wallinger.

Photo: Sam Drake, Tate Photography

7

PRIME LOCATIONS: 48 hourrss in Liverrpool Getting herre

London to Liverpool by one of Mr Branson’s super fast Pendolino trains takes just two and a half hours. It’s just as easy from other parts of the country: all main line services from Scotland, the North East and Midlands run to Liverpool via either Manchester or Crewe.

To make life even easier, Liverpool’s John Lennon airport is just 8 miles outside the city centre and has a number of low-cost airlines operating cheap flights inbound from most UK airports.

A place to lay yourr head

If style is your thing then head for Hope Street Hotel (1), an independent boutique hotel where all the luxuries are provided with great flair and fantastic service. Not that you’ll be stuck for alternatives as fab new hotels seem to be opening practically every week as the city gears up for the Capital of Culture. For a room with a view there’s the new Malmaison (2) or the four star deluxe Radisson SAS (3) down at the waterfront.

If you want to be closer to the night life action then try 62 Castle Street (4), or The Print (5), both contemporary refurbishments of old Victorian buildings at the heart of the city.

Shaken orr stirrrred

(24), part owned by Liverpool band Ladytron, where you can brush shoulders with musos, catch the latest bands or simply chill out in individual booths watching the performance on your own TV screen.

A spot of lunch

Out to brrunch

If you’ve worked up an appetite you can give it a good seeing-to with a rib-sticking lunch at The Monro (12), Liverpool’s latest gastro pub, or for something lighter try Delifonseca (13) for fabulous deli sandwiches and the best chunky chips in town. Alternatively, head up to Hope Street to the Everyman Bistro (14), a Liverpool Institution set in the atmospheric basement of the Everyman theatre.

Retail therrapy

With such a high WAG quotient, Liverpool has never been short of designer outlets, most of them located in and around the Cavern Walks (15) shopping centre. But the recently opened Metquarter (16), a transformation of the city’s old Post Office into a new retail hot spot has seriously upped the ante.

If you prefer your shopping with a more bohemian bent, then head for Bold Street (17) where you’ll find quirky fashions and cool homewares in shops like Microzine and Utility.

Start off with a cocktail or two at the latest place to be seen. Alma de Cuba (6) is an ultra cool refurbishment of a 200-year-old Polish Catholic church that’s been transformed into a funky bar and Caribbean-themed restaurant. Another buzzing option is Mosquito (7), sister bar to the stylish Living Room franchise, with a cocktail list as long as the Beatles back catalogue. For a more chilled dining experience, choose Ziba (8) at the Racquet Club for exquisitely-done modern British food.

Soul food

Culturral enlightenment

All that jazz

After breakfast, you can wander round The Walker (9) – effectively the National Gallery of the North – with its fantastic collection covering everything from Holbein to Hockney or you can visit World Museum Liverpool (10) whose fascinating exhibits cover all the cultures of the globe that have been touched 8

by Liverpool’s sea-faring past. But the pièce de resistance has to be the refurbished St George’s Hall (11), a magnificent piece of Victorian pomp considered to be one of the finest neo-classical buildings in the world.

In the evening, head up to Hope Street where you’ll be spoilt for choice with top class eateries, including the eponymous 60 Hope Street (18), the London Carriage Works (19) or The Lower Place (20), situated in the basement of the city’s wonderful art deco Philharmonic Hall. If you’re lucky enough to be around on a concert night, it’s definitely worth catching the Liverpool Philharmonic (20), currently flying high under their fabulous new conductor Vasily Petrenko.

To be where the action is, head down to Albert Dock where you’ll find the glammed up crowd flitting between Babycream (21), the bar-restaurant offspring of super-club Cream, the Pan American Club (22) and Blue Bar and Grill (23) – all within a stiletto’s totter of each other. For hip live music, try Korova

Start off your Sunday with a trip to the jaw-dropping Anglican Cathedral (25), a monumental gothic edifice at one end of Hope Street. Heading back towards the Philharmonic Hall you’ll pass the hidden Georgian gem that is Falkner Street, which has a couple of great Sunday brunch options to while away an hour or so with the Sunday papers – try Number Seven Deli (26) or Quarter (27). Alternatively, mooch down to the Ropewalks area, where FACT (28) – the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology – is another good bet.

Parrk life

Take a five-minute cab ride outside the city centre and you’ll find yourself in the leafy surroundings of Sefton Park, with the added attraction of Lark Lane (29), Liverpool’s answer to the King’s Road, just a two minute stroll away. The park also has a fantastic Victorian Palm House (30), now renovated and home to exotic afternoon jazz performances as well as equally exotic plant species. Lark Lane itself has a quirky vibe with independent cafés, bistros, retro clothing shops and craft outlets as well as Liverpool’s best French restaurant, L’Alouette.

Take in the view

Liverpool’s probably got the world’s second most famous waterfront view after Manhattan and the best way to see it is to take a trip on the famous Ferry out towards Birkenhead.

From the river you can take in the full glory of the Three Graces (31) – the triumvirate of magnificent buildings that are testament to the city’s historical standing as one of the world’s greatest sea ports and are now officially declared a World Heritage Site.

While you’re down at the river make sure you visit Tate Liverpool (32) at Albert Dock, the UK’s largest modern art gallery outside London, and home to the 2007 Turner Prize.

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9

PRIME CUTS: SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER Eventss thiss autumn Highlights of what’s on across England’s Northwest

until 14 October 2007

until 4 November 2007

until 31 December 2007

FRED

The Myth of the Norrth

Various locations in Cumbria T: 017683 71561 W: fredsblog.co.uk

The Lowry, Salford T: 0870 787 5780 W: thelowry.com

Legendss: The photogrraphss of Harrrry Goodwin

Who needs an art gallery when you’ve got spaces as glorious as the fells, fields and paths of the Lake District. Europe’s largest annual festival of site-specific art is a creative invasion of the Cumbrian landscape where a host of international artists take their work into the spectacular natural environment.

So you think it’s all smoking chimneys, driving rain, flat caps and whippets? An art exhibition taking a tongue-in-cheek look at the stereotypical views of Northerness that have rightly or wrongly pervaded visual culture.

until 21 October 2007

Matisssse: Drrawing with Scissssorrss Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool T: 01253 478170

Brilliant overview of Matisse’s late work, featuring 35 lithographic prints of his famous cut-outs, including many of his iconic images such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes. until 27 October

Highlightss of Brritissh Arrt frrom Turrnerr to Frreud Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal T: 015397 22464 W: abbothall.org.uk

Abbot Hall is celebrating 45 years of collecting British art with this exhibition of fabulous pieces, including works by Turner, Stanley Spencer, Bridget Riley and Sean Scully, plus the largest collection of Lucien Freud etchings to be found in a public gallery.

10

until 4 November 2007

RE: [Video Possitive] FACT, Liverpool T: 0151 707 4450 W: fact.co.uk

The Foundation for Arts and Creative Technology is hosting a retrospective of Liverpool’s bi-annual arts and technology festival, celebrating its commitment to new forms of expression in film and new media. until 11 November 2007

Outsside the Box

The Museum of Lancashire, Preston T: 01772 534075 W: visitpreston.com

McCartney, Lennon, Hendrix, Dylan, Jagger – not the faces you’d expect to find in Preston, but Lancashire-born photographer Harry Goodwin spent the 60s and 70s as resident photographer for Top of the Pops. This collection of era-defining photographs reads like a who’s who of rock and pop. until 13 January 2008

Chesshirre Wrriterrss Salt Museum, Northwich T: 01606 41331 W: saltmuseum.org.uk

Explore Cheshire’s rich literary heritage from the 14th century to the present day with interactive displays and a programme of talks, crafts and creative writing workshops.

Cornerhouse, Manchester T: 0161 228 7621 W: cornerhouse.org

until 17 February 2008

Exhibition exploring the use of video projections, outdoor performance and electronic animation in the artistic use of public spaces. Featuring artists from Germany, Spain, China and the US, and with a number of new pieces specially commissioned for the show.

Urbis, Manchester T: 0161 605 8200 W: urbis.org.uk

The Haçienda 25: the Exhibition Made all the more poignant by the recent sad passing of Manchester’s ‘Mr Music’, Tony Wilson, this 25th anniversary exhibition of all things Factory features artefacts from the club, previously unseen video footage and examples of the legendary design work of Peter Saville, Ben Kelly et al.

6 Oct 2007 – 27 Jan 2008

Manchessterr Arrt Treassurress: 150 yearrss on Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester T: 0161 235 8888 W: manchestergalleries.org

In 1857 Manchester surprised everybody by holding the world’s largest-ever temporary art exhibition in a city that was at the time better known for its cotton spinning than its culture.

The city’s wealthy Victorian industrialists got together and in an amazingly short timescale built a Crystal Palace-scale pavilion on the site of Lancashire cricket ground and filled it with over 16,000 works of art brought together from wealthy private collectors.

Opened by Prince Albert in May of that year, the exhibition was seen by an estimated 1.3 million people who travelled from all over the country; visitors included Queen Victoria, Florence Nightingale, Charles Dickens, Elisabeth Gaskell and John Ruskin.

To mark the 150th anniversary of this typically Mancunian feat of ‘having a go’, this special exhibition will bring back to the city a selection of the great works of fine and decorative art on show at the original exhibition, as well as presenting fascinating documentary information about the making of the exhibition itself.

Paintings on display will include a selection of outstanding pictures by British artists such as Hogarth, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Stubbs, Turner, Constable and the Pre-Raphaelites, plus European old masters including Michelangelo’s famous ‘Manchester Madonna’ so called as it received its first ever showing at the original 1857 exhibition.

As many of these works are now in private collections and are being loaned exclusively for this exhibition, Art Treasures: 150 years on offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these works on display.

11

1–26 October 2007

4–14 October 2007

7 October 2007

Chessterr Literraturre Fesstival

Manchessterr Literraturre Fesstival

Lenny Henrry

Various venues, Chester T: 01244 340392 W: chesterlitfest.org.uk

Various venues, Manchester T: 0161 236 5725 W: manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

The Royal Court, Liverpool T: 0870 787 1866 W: royalcourtliverpool.co.uk

Celebrating the written and spoken word with a stellar ensemble of literary personalities including Louis de Bernières, David Starkey, Colin Dexter, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Timothy West & Prunella Scales, plus comedian Julian Clary with his first dark novel Murder Most Fab. Local authors and poets also parade their wares, with the Cheshire Prize for Literature up for grabs.

12

Literature festivals are obviously flavour of the month. Manchester’s version kicks off on National Poetry Day with top local poets performing from a four-poster bed in the window of Heal’s and over a 10-day period will cover everything from the Graphic Novel and the writing of Dr Who, to what happens when writing and new technology meet.

Featured writers include Roddy Doyle, Rose Tremain, Andrew Motion, Jackie Kay, Maggie O’Farrell and Paul Abbott.

Since it became the home of Liverpool’s famous Rawhide Comedy Club, the Royal Court has firmly established itself as the home of all things humorous in the city that has mirth as its middle name. Lenny Henry is the first of a visting brace of top-flight comedians this autumn: he’s followed in fairly quick succession by Ardal O’Hanlon, Sean Hughes, Jenny Eclair, Al Murray and Lee Mack. Buy a ticket in the stalls – it’s laid out with cabaret-style tables so you can get waitress service during the show.

9–10 October 2007

Alvin Ailey Dance Theatrre The Lowry, Salford Quays T: 0870 787 5780 W: thelowry.com

The legacy of the American hero of dance, Alvin Ailey, lives on in the work of his eponymous dance company who bring their uplifting energy to beautifully choreographed jazz, blues and gospel. The programme features a unique take on Stravinsky’s classic Firebird, plus signature pieces by Twyla Tharp and Alvin Ailey himself.

16 October 2007

The Sacrrifice Liverpool Empire T: 0870 606 3536 W: livenation.co.uk/Liverpool

A new opera by one of the world’s greatest living composers, James MacMillan, is an event in itself, but when the composer is actually conducting one of the world première performances with Welsh National Opera it comes under the category of a ‘must-see’ for opera lovers. The story behind the three-act opera is that of a faction-ridden country trying to heal itself after a brutal civil war, drawing parallels between the armed conflicts of the 21st Century and the blood soaked legends of a mythical Wales.

18 October–28 October 2007

Manchessterr Comedy Fesstival various venues, Manchester T: 0161 839 9595 W: manchestercomedyfestival.co.uk

Catch the best national and local comedians performing across the city in this 11-day chuckle marathon. Many of the performances will be taking place in a specially-erected new venue in Albert Square – a huge upside-down purple cow called Udderbelly. We kid you not!

19 October–13 January 2008

Turrnerr Prize 2007 Tate Liverpool T: 0151 702 7400 W: tate.org.uk/liverpool

The annual contemporary art award takes place outside London for the first time ever.

See feature on page 4 for details.

19 October 2007

28 October 2007

Rogerr McGough & Brrian Patten: 40 Love

Czech National Day

Everyman Theatre, Liverpool T: 0151 709 4776 W: everymanplayhouse.com

The Mersey Sound is still the best selling anthology of verse ever-published in the UK. It’s now 40 years since McGough and Patten and the late, great Adrian Henri turned verse on its head and filled college and theatre gigs to capacity up and down the country.

To celebrate the republishing of the original collection, McGough and Patten will be proving that the beat goes on by reading their 20 most requested pieces of verse.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool T: 0151 709 3789 W: liverpoolphil.com

Expect the roof of the wonderful art-deco Philharmonic Hall to be raised as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic welcomes back its esteemed past Music Director, the Czech conductor Libor Pesek for a programme that includes Smetana’s patriotic tone poem Mà Vlast (My Country). As an added treat, pianist Barry Douglas performs Brahms’ decidedly un-Czech First Piano Concerto.

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28 October–18 November 2007

15 November –20 December 2007

Homotopia

Chrrisstmass Marrketss

various venues, Liverpool T: 0151 233 6753 W: homotopia.net

various squares in city centre Manchester W: manchesterlive.co.uk

Liverpool’s annual festival of lesbian and gay art and culture has grown to cover three whole weeks of art, film, theatre, dance, debate and music. This year’s celebrations will see the launch of Homotopia TV and a series of specially-commissioned plays by established local writers.

Yes, we know everybody does them nowadays, but Manchester really does go to town on the festive market thing, filling the city’s squares with wooden chalets and twinkling fairy lights. The seasonal atmosphere is enough to convert the most resolute Scrooge, and if not, the Gluwein will help to take the edge off your ‘bah humbug’.

30 October–3 November 2007

A Midssummerr Night’s Drream The Lowry, Salford T: 0870 787 5780 W: thelowry.com

This acclaimed Indian production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream features the astonishing skills of actors, dancers, martial arts experts, musicians and street acrobats from across India and Sri Lanka. Following its sell-out run at the RSC in Stratford, it stops off in Salford before starting a world tour.

Beethoven Symphony No.9 Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool T: 0151 709 3789 W: liverpoolphil.com

Kendal Mountain Fesstivalss

Not just any old performance of Beethoven’s great Choral Symphony – this curtain raiser to Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year features the world première performance of the edition prepared by the composer Gustav Mahler. The Liverpool Phil’s dynamic new conductor, Vasily Petrenko leads the orchestra, choir and a brace of soloists including star soprano Amanda Roocroft.

various venues around Kendal, Cumbria T: 015397 25133 W: mountainfilm.co.uk

16 December 2007

9–18 November 2007

Not just one, but a whole cornucopia of festivals devoted to all things vertical, from films, books, art, photography, entertainment, humour and drama. This gathering of crag hoppers attracts people from all over the globe with big names such as Sir Chris Bonington, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Doug Scott. It even boasts an Adventure Film Academy for adrenaline junkies looking to learn from the experts in adventure, extreme sports and expedition film-making.

The Liverrpool Nativity Liverpool city centre T: 0151 233 2008? W: liverpool08.com

Sibeliuss: The Orrigin of Firre

Developed and commissioned by the team behind The Manchester Passion, this performance of the story of the first Christmas will take place on the streets of the city centre, using the music of Liverpool as a unifying theme. With actors and the public mingling together in a real time performance, this promises to be an adventurous and moving experience, and a fitting curtain raiser for the city’s year of Capital of Culture in 2008.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester T: 0161 907 9000 W: halle.co.uk

31 December 2007

10–24 November 2007

Marking 50 years since the composer’s death, Mark Elder leads the Hallé in a series of four concerts that include all six of Sibelius’s dramatic symphonies plus some of his moving and rarely heard choral works.

Expect to be spirited away to snowy wastes and the Northern Lights.

14

6 December 2007

New Yearr’s Eve Firreworrkss Liverpool waterfront T: 0151 233 2008 W: liverpool08.com

Welcome in the beginning of what will be a memorable year in the cultural spotlight for Liverpool with this fantastic pyrotechnic display on the city’s iconic waterfront.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 30 January 2008

Hallé 150th anniverrssarry concerrt The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester T: 0161 907 9000 W: halle.co.uk

Formed by the German expatriate conductor Sir Charles Hallé to perform for Queen Victoria at the 1857 Art Treasures Exhibition ‘Mr Hallé’s band’ went down so well they made it a permanent fixture.

Expect an evening of suitable pomp and circumstance under the baton of mesmerising Music Director Mark Elder with a special appearance by legendary Hallé soloist, Dame Janet Baker.

February 2008

Reopening of the Bluecoat School Lane, Liverpool T: 0151 709 5297 W: bluecoatartscentre.com

This Grade 1-listed old schoolhouse, thought to be the oldest building in Liverpool city centre, has been a focus for contemporary arts, crafts and design in the city since the 1960s, A £12.5million transformation led by the hip Dutch practise BIQ Architecten, is restoring the building to its former glory, with the addition of a spanking new art gallery and performance space.

Until 4 November 2007

Blackpool Illuminationss Blackpool Promenade W: visitblackpool.com

If your view of Blackpool is still buried in the sancastles of the past then it’s time to have a bit of a reappraisal.

Kiss Me Quick hats? Check. End of the pier shows? Check. But there are now a number of reasons to give Blackpool a rethink – ranging from Number One Blackpool, the boutique B&B that recently won the accolade of best in the country, to the fabulous range of contemporary sculpture along the seafront that includes Peter Blake’s first public work of art and the world’s largest mirror ball.

The annual illuminations are a good excuse for giving Blackpool another go. The biggest free light show on earth has been pulling in the crowds since 1879 but you’ll be pleased to hear it’s had a bit of a revamp since then, with a number of ‘fringe’ events as well as the traditional promenade spectacle.

Fesstival of Light until 4 November

Running as a compliment to the traditional Illuminations display (which this year features sections that have had a makeover from Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, no less) is this contemporary look at the concept of light and art working together to make engaging entertainment. Special commissions from a number of respected international artists will create interactive light installations at various locations and venues around the town.

Worrld Firreworrkss Championsshipss

ArrtCarr Parrade

until 28 September

21 October

You’re never too old to enjoy a good firework display and Blackpool will be having the cream of the pyrotechnical crop displaying their wares during the Illuminations. Top international firework companies will stage amazing displays choreographed to music in a way that represents the styles and traditions of their home country. Countries taking part this year are Portugal, Canada, Austria and the UK with the finale taking place on Friday 28 September.

Artists from all over the UK have been commissioned to create weird and wonderful illuminated vehicles that have been re-imagined, sculpted and adorned to create – wait for it – ‘Transports of DeLight’.

All manner of ‘enlightened’ vehicles in the shape of cars, trucks, bikes and trikes, mobility scooters and pedal-powered contraptions, will motor through the town in this one-off parade.

15

THE ESSENTIALS: Liverrpool

Liverpudlians have got a big reason to smile as the city gears up for its moment in the spotlight as European Capital of Culture in 2008 with a surge in artistic activity and a significant physical facelift.

Liverpool has always been a city with a big heart — yes it may be a little maverick at times but that’s a huge part of its charm.

Architecturally it’s a city of statement and grandeur, and we’re not just talking iconic cathedrals and galleries — the city boasts more Georgian terraces than Bath and the imposing Victorian warehouses of the city centre are finding new life as boutique hotels and fine restaurants.

Despite the scale of its historic docks and warehouses, the city centre is surprisingly compact and easy to get around, and there’s absolutely nothing aloof or distant about the warmth of the Liverpudlian welcome.

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GETTING HERE

PLACES TO STAY

By plane

Hope Strreet Hotel

There’s nothing imaginary about Liverpool John Lennon Airport, a burgeoning flight hub just eight miles south of the city centre.

Flights to and from many major European cities, with an express bus operating to take you into the city centre.

By trrain

Mainline intercity services run into Liverpool Lime Street station from all over the country.

By road

Take the left bearing M62 off the M6 motorway and it takes you straight into Liverpool city centre. It is also an umbilical chord joining Liverpool to Manchester, only 35 miles away, making it a convenient, straight-road drive from one to the other.

GET THE INFO… Liverrpool Tourrisst Inforrmation Centrre 08 Place, Whitechapel L1 6DZ Visitor info: T: 0151 233 2008 W: liverpool08.com Accommodation enquiries: T: 0844 870 0123 W: visitliverpool.com

40 Hope St L1 9DA T: 0151 705 2222 W: hopestreethotel.co.uk

Hope Street is a bit of a cultural hub – this elegant Georgian thoroughfare joins the city’s two cathedrals and along its length you’ll find a concert hall (the Philharmonic), a theatre (the Everyman) and a slew of bars and eateries. The hotel sits half way along it, a building dating from the 1860s that was converted into ‘Liverpool’s first boutique hotel’ in 2001. In the intervening time it has won numerous awards for its cool minimalist chic, impeccable service and classy ambience and was voted one of the 50 coolest hotels in the world in 2006 by Condé Nast Traveller.

Malmaisson Liverrpool 7 William Jessop Way, Princes Dock L3 1QZ T: 0845 365 4247 W: malmaison-liverpool.com

Overlooking the Mersey, this recently-opened new kid in the Malmaison stable is the company’s first purpose-built building. It’s an elegant addition to the city’s iconic waterfront architecture and has all the features you would expect, from the plush ambience of the interior and the ‘place to be seen in’ bar and brasserie.

Radisssson SAS Liverrpool

Racquet Club

Simply Heathcotess

107 Old Hall St L3 9BD T: 0151 966 1500 W: radisson.com

Hargreaves Building, 5 Chapel Street L3 9AG T: 0151 236 6676 W: racquetclub.org.uk

Beetham Plaza, The Strand L2 0XJ T: 0151 236 3536 W: heathcotes.co.uk

The Scandinavian-owned Radisson SAS is a new modern ocean liner of a building looking out over the Mersey. It’s very Scandinavian in feel as well – all cool design on the inside and a light-filled atrium that doubles as a bit of an art gallery.

A club devoted to racquet sports may not be the first place that springs to mind as a place to stay, but the eight individuallystyled rooms in this refurbished Victorian warehouse are generous and comfortable.

The on-site Ziba restaurant is also an eating destination in its own right.

This sophisticated modern eatery is the Liverpool link in the culinary empire of renowned Lancashire chef, Paul Heathcote, the man who made black pudding sexy.

PLACES TO EAT

This Cuban-themed bar-restaurant is set in an old Catholic church, with many of the original church features incorporated into the new design. Communion is now cocktails served in the mezzanine level restaurant lit up by melting church candles and confessions can be overheard in the slinky dark panelled seating booths.

62 Casstle Strreet 62 Castle St L2 7LQ T: 0151 702 7898 W: 62castlest.com

Another revamped Victorian edifice in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre, this bijou boutique hotel is well-located for both the business district and the famous Liverpool nightlife. Its 20 generously-sized suites are equipped with all mod-cons and the ground floor houses a Room restaurant and bar.

Trafalgarr Warrehousse Aparrtmentss Apartments 9/10 Trafalgar Warehouse 17 Lord Nelson Street L3 5QB T: 07715 118 419 W: trafalgarwarehouseapartments.co.uk

If you fancy something a bit more independent, you can rent one of two super-trendy loft apartments in this tastefully converted warehouse close to Lime Street Station. Polished floors, funky kitchen, jacuzzi in the bathroom – all the bells and whistles.

The London Carrrriage Worrkss 40 Hope St L1 9DA T: 0151 705 2222 W: tlcw.co.uk

Part of the uber-chic Hope Street Hotel, the restaurant has attracted some fairly rave reviews, including being voted one of the top ten restaurants outside London in the 2005 Harden’s Guide. Apparently got its name when construction workers discovered the original sign in the stonework above the entrance during the refurbishment.

60 Hope Strreet 60 Hope St L1 9BZ T: 0151 707 6060 W: 60hopestreet.com

Established gastronomic destination on the Hope Street cultural corridor. The signature dish of deep fried jam sandwich with Carnation milk ice cream shouldn’t be missed, and there’s also a more informal café/bar bistro in the basement.

Alma da Cuba St Peters Church, Seel Street L1 4AZ T: 0151 709 7097 W: alma-de-cuba.com

Everryman Bisstrro 5-9 Hope Street L1 9BH T: 0151 708 9545 W: everyman.co.uk

A bit of a Liverpool institution, the basement bistro beneath the Everyman Theatre has always been a gathering place for local creative types, attracted to the slightly bohemian ambience and the hearty portions of the fabulous home-made food.

It’s great for veggies and the puddings are a special treat.

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The Monrro

Sapporro Teppanyaki

The Blue Barr and Grrill

92-94 Duke Street, L1 5AG T: 0151 707 9933 W: themonro.com

134 Duke Street, East Village L1 5AG T: 0151 705 3005 W: sapporo.co.uk

Edward Pavilion Albert Dock, L3 4AE T: 0151 709 7097 W: blue-venue.co.uk

Named after a Georgian trading ship, this old man’s boozer has been transformed into a top-notch gastropub, with an emphasis on quality organic British food. Robust menu featuring rabbit pie, Cheshire wild boar, Lancashire ostrich and Welsh buffalo.

Not just teppanayki but sushi and noodles too in this Japanese-themed restaurant on the edge of Chinatown. It’s the teppanyaki that’s the major draw though, with ‘show chefs’ performing culinary acrobatics as the food is prepared right in front of you.

Another achingly cool place to drink and dine down at Albert Dock, with a balcony overlooking the waterfront and a high celebrity count.

Ziba

St Peterrssburrg

Racquet Club, 5 Chapel Street L3 9AG T: 0151 236 6676 W: racquetclub.org.uk

7a York Street L1 5BN T: 0151 7096676 W: russiancuisine.co.uk

Numerous awards and a place in the Good Food guide are just some of the things that Ziba has going for it. Named after a Liverpool tea clipper, this classy modern British restaurant in the Racquet Club has quietly established a fantastic reputation for its nosh.

Revolutionise your tasetbuds with authentic Russian cuisine, washed down with a glass of flaming vodka. The music and liveentertainment includes the occasional Russian karaoke night, so start brushing up on those old Soviet marching songs…

Numberr Seven

PLACES TO DRINK

13-15 Falkner Street L8 7PU T: 0151 709 9633

Babycrream

This deli-cum-bistro-cum-art gallery is located in the atmospheric Georgian Square just off Hope Street. The shop sells everything from beautifully-packaged homemade biscuits to speciality preserves and oils, whilst the bistro does a good line in tasty snacks and the usual 57 varieties of coffee.

Delifonsseca 12 Stanley Street L1 6AF T: 0151 255 0808 W: delifonseca.co.uk

A little hidden gem – a foodie cornucopia in the city centre that is the place to go if you have a serious cheese fetish. Newly opened restaurant should be worth a visit too – the chef is ex-London Carriage Works so expect good things.

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Atlantic Pavilion, Albert Dock L3 4AE T: 0151 702 5826 W: babycream.co.uk

Joint venture between restaurant group Lyceum and the legendary Cream club empire, this is described as a DJ Restaurant – i.e. you get ambient lounge live DJ sets thrown in with your trendy bar and dining experience.

Pan Amerrican Club Britannia Pavilion Albert Dock L3 4AD T: 0151 709 1156 W: panam-venue.co.uk

At night the Albert Dock puts on its coolest threads and metamorphoses into the place for Liverpool’s glammed-up crowd. Pan American is one of the main hangouts for the hip and trendy, a classy bar-restaurant with huge bay windows that look out to the Liver Building in the distance.

Korrova 39-41 Fleet Sreet, L1 4AR T: 0151 709 7097 W: korova-liverpool.com

Trendy, independent bar, part owned by Liverpool band Ladytron, that sets itself out as ‘a music-focused venue enveloped in cutting edge design and illustration.’

There’s a bar and ‘canteen’ and the club in the basement showcases live music from established acts and up-and-coming bands.

The Philharrmonic 36 Hope Street L1 9BX T: 0151 707 2837

Not the Hall, but the staggeringly ornate pub across the road, which boasts the only gentleman’s toilets in the country that a lady may visit – they’re listed. Despite being definitely old-world, this temple to Victorian exuberance attracts a lively-mixed crowd that gives an indication of the level of affection it commands – John Lennon famously complained that the price of fame meant ‘not being able to go to the Phil for a drink’

Ye Crrack 13 Rice Street L1 9DB T: 0151 709 4171

For the antitheses of Albert Dock-style bar chic, head for this legendary boozer, yet another place where John Lennon used to drink when he was at art college. It’s all a bit rough tables and cracked lino but what it lacks in style it makes up for in character.

THINGS TO SEE

Liverrpool Cathedrral

Knowssley Safarri Parrk

St Georrgess Hall

6 Cathedral Close, St James Mount L1 7AZ T: 0151 709 6271 W: liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

Prescot, Merseyside L34 4AN T: 0151 430 9009 W: knowsley.com

There’s nothing small about Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. Largest cathedral in the UK, 5th largest in the world, highest gothic arches in the world, UK’s largest church organ – the list goes on.

So what if you haven’t been to one since you were a kid? Having your windscreen wipers manhandled by monkeys is still as much fun as it always was…

Antony Gorrmley’s Anotherr Place

The Beatless Storry

William Brown Street L1 1JJ T: 0151 233 2008 W: visitliverpool.com

A £23m restoration programme has given a superb facelift to what many consider to be the finest neo-classical building in Europe.

St George’s certainly has buckets of presence, standing proudly at the centre of the city like a temple to Liverpool’s mid-19th century wealth and ambition. Inside, the massive Great Hall is resplendent with gilded plasterwork and ornate chandeliers, plus a renowned Minton tiled floor.

Thrree Grracess Pier Head North of Albert Dock T: 0151 233 2008 W: visitliverpool.com

Together, the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building create one of the most recognisable waterfronts in the world. Officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Alberrt Dock Albert Dock L3 4AF W: albertdock.com

This collection of restored Grade I-listed warehouses is home to many of Liverpool’s museum and heritage attractions, including Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum and the new Slavery Museum.

Liverrpool Metrropolitan Cathedrral Cathedral House, Mount Pleasant L3 5TQ T: 0151 709 9222 W: liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk

Irreverently known as ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’ by locals, the relatively modern (1967) Metropolitan Cathedral stands at one end of the aptly-named Hope Street, that connects it with its Anglican counterpart.

Crosby Beach, Crosby

Antony Gormley’s series of 100 life-sized iron ‘men’ spread over 3km of sandy beach initially started off as a temporary installation.

But, like the Angel of the North in Gateshead, the figures have taken on such iconic status on this beautifully windswept landscape that a fundraising campaign is underway to make them permanent. A great example of good public art at its most affecting.

Sefton Parrk Palm Housse Sefton Park Liverpool L17 1AP T: 0151 726 2415 W: palmhouse.org.uk

This Grade II-listed Victorian glasshouse is the centrepiece of one of the largest public parks in England. Fully restored in 2001, it’s now open to the public so you can spend a relaxing afternoon wandering around the tropical greenery. Occasional jazz and lunchtime concerts too.

THINGS TO DO Merrssey Ferrrriess T: 0151 330 1444 W: merseyferries.co.uk

Gerry and the Pacemakers have a lot to answer for. Take a trip across to look back at the famous waterfront from across the river and just see if you can stop yourself singing ‘that song’ – it’s practically impossible.

T: 0151 709 1963 W: beatlestory.com

Does what it says on the tin visitor attraction at Albert Dock – the story of the Fab Four in glorious technicolour detail. Expect to rub shoulders with lots of Japanese tourists.

THINGS TO BUY

Everton mints, Beatles memorabilia

GIVE IT A WHIRL… The Yellow Duckmarrine T: 0151 708 7799 W: theyellowduckmarine.co.uk

Take an hour-long trip around Liverpool’s waterfront in this converted (and very yellow) WW2 amphibious landing vehicle which starts on the road and ends in the water.

GET THE INFO… Liverrpool Tourrisst Inforrmation Centrre 08 Place, Whitechapel L1 6DZ T: 0151 233 2008 W: liverpool08.com T: 0844 870 0123 W: visitliverpool.com

19

THE CULTURE LIST: Liverrpool ART GALLERIES

Lady Leverr Arrt Gallerry

Walkerr Arrt Gallerry

Lower Rd Port Sunlight Village Wirral CH62 5EQ T: 0151 478 4136 W: ladyleverartgallery.org.uk

William Brown St L3 8EL T: 0151 478 4199 W: thewalker.org.uk

The Walker sits at the heart of Liverpool’s central cultural quarter alongside the best of the city’s magnificent neo-classical architecture, St George’s Hall and World Museum Liverpool. Often referred to as ‘the National Gallery of the North,’ it is renowned for the breadth and depth of its collections, ranging from medieval and renaissance masterpieces to pieces by modern icons such as David Hockney and Gilbert and George.

Tate Liverrpool Albert Dock L3 4BB T: 0151 702 7400 W: tate.org.uk/liverpool

The Liverpool outpost of the Tate empire is housed in a wonderful conversion of Grade I-listed warehouses on the banks of the Mersey at Albert Dock. The UK’s largest modern art gallery outside London, it draws on the wide range of 20th and 21st century artwork from the Tate Collection and develops its own innovative changing exhibitions programme. It’s one of the prime venues for the Liverpool Biennial and this Autumn plays host to the 2007 Turner Prize, staged outside London for the first time in its history.

FACT

20

The Lever Brothers soap magnate, William Hesketh Lever, did a lot for this part of the world. Not only did he build the delightful garden village of Port Sunlight (named after his famous soap) but he also created within it the beautiful Lady Lever Art Gallery to house his extensive collection of art, including a magnificent selection of18th and 19th century paintings. Worth crossing the river for.

Open Eye Gallerry 28-32 Wood Street L1 4AQ T: 0151 709 9460 W: openeye.org.uk

Great contemporary photography gallery that’s worth a visit to catch the latest touring exhibition by prominent national and international lens-meisters.

View Two Gallerry 23 Matthew Street L2 6RE T: 0151 236 9444 W: viewtwogallery.co.uk

Behind an unassuming doorway in the Cavern Quarter you’ll find Liverpool’s leading independent gallery – a positive Aladdin’s cave of contemporary art spread over three floors. It’s only open from noon on Thursdays through to Saturday, but call in on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll get a complimentary glass of wine.

Foundation For Art & Creative Technology 88 Wood Street L1 4DQ T: 0151 707 4444 W: fact.co.uk

MUSEUMS

Billed as ‘an international arts centre for the digital age’, FACT is an award-winning cultural project that is dedicated to showcasing the work of international artists working in film, video and new media. The venue is the hub of the Rope Walks area of the city centre, home to music studios, design collectives and architects studios by day, and to interesting clubs and bars by night.

Albert Dock L3 4AQ T: 0151 478 4499 W: merseysidemaritimemuseum.org.uk

Merrsseysside Marritime Musseum

Fascinating museum devoted to the history of shipping in Britain from the 13th century onwards. As you would expect, the story of the port of Liverpool and its international links plays a large part in the exhibits, and the moving section on the history of the slave trade has proved so popular that a new museum devoted to the slavery story has now opened on an adjacent site.

Worrld Musseum Liverrpool William Brown Street L3 8EN T: 0151 478 4393 W: worldmuseumliverpool.org.uk

A £35m refurbishment in 2005 almost doubled the size of what was formerly the Liverpool Museum. giving it a substantial facelift and allowing it to display a whole treasure trove of previously locked away artefacts from its collections. Natural history, science and technology are all part of the picture, along with a brand new Aquarium.

Mrr Chambrre Harrdman’s Photogrraphic Studio 59 Rodney Street L1 9EX T: 0151 709 6261 W: nationaltrust.org.uk

This loving preservation of the Georgian terraced house of the acclaimed Liverpool photographer Edward Chambre Hardman is a unique time capsule of Liverpool life in the mid-20th century. On his death, the house was found to be in a practically unchanged state since the post-war period, with a remarkable collection of his photographic work and an evocative collection of emphemera and artefacts.

THEATRES

Liverrpool Empirre

Liverrpool Philharrmonic Hall

Liverrpool Playhousse

Lime Street L1 1JE T: 0870 606 3536 W: liverpoolempire.org.uk

Hope Street L1 9BP T: 0151 709 3789 W: liverpoolphil.com

The largest two-tier theatre in the country, this is the place for the major touring musicals and shows.

Previously known as a music venue, the Royal Court has had a new lease of life as the home of the Rawhide comedy club. Gone is the tiered seating of the stalls and in its place are cabaret-style tables to make the waitress service easier and a packed programme of local and national comedians.

The 1930s Philharmonic Hall may look like an old cinema from the outside but inside it’s a riot of superb art-deco flourishes, from the beautiful window etchings in the bar to the famous frescoes of mythological muses on the walls of the auditorium. Home to a resurgent Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under fabulous new conductor Vasily Petrenko, who’s so on side he even plays for the orchestra football team. The Hall also stages a programme of non-classical music and its own classic film series, shown on an amazing art deco screen that rises from beneath the concert platform.

MUSIC VENUES

Liverrpool Academy

Williamson Square L1 1EL T: 0151 709 4776 W: everymanplayhouse.com

Housed in a 19th century music hall building, this 700-seat theatre has one of the UK’s oldest repertory theatre companies.

Produces approximately three or four of its own shows per year, interspersed with good quality touring product.

Everryman Theatrre 13 Hope Street L1 9BH T: 0151 709 4776 W: everymanplayhouse.com

This small but consistently innovative theatre is where every Liverpool actor and writer you can think of – from Julie Walters to Willy Russell – cut their creative teeth. Recently celebrated its 40th birthday.

Unity Theatrre Hope Place L1 9BG T: 0151 709 4988 W: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Tucked away off Hope Street, this lively small-scale venue is one of the country’s most successful ‘fringe’ theatres, with a reputation for encouraging new writing and new performers, particularly through community involvement.

Royal Courrt Theatrre Roe Street L1 1HL T: 0870 787 1866 W: royalcourtliverpool.com

Caverrn Club 8-10 Matthew Street T: 0151 236 1965 W: cavern-liverpool.co.uk

Infamous as the first home of the Fab Four, this is probably the most well-known club in the world. It has remained faithful to the original Merseybeat décor and is obviously a huge draw to the Beatles tourist crowds.

11-13 Hotham Street L3 5UF T: 0151 707 3200 W: liverpool-academy.co.uk

Formerly known as The Lomax, this 19th century warehouse building is steeped in musical history and the place to see rock legends, indie all-stars and cutting edge dance and urban acts.

21

THE ESSENTIALS: Manchessterr

Manchester’s looking up, both figuratively and literally. There’s a buzz about the place that means it’s as vibrant and immediate as any European capital. But for those who still imagine that it looks like Weatherfield, the most noticeable thing is the number of shards of steel and glass beginning to pierce the sky as Manchester comes over all Manhattan.

The city’s now the ideal destination for the cosmopolitan weekender, but its contemporary attitude is still mixed with the down-to earth humour and genuine, no nonsense approach to life that you’d expect in the city that’s consistently shown that there are no limits to its imagination and its ambition.

GETTING HERE

PLACES TO STAY

By plane

Hilton Manchessterr

One of the top 20 airports in the world, you can fly into Manchester from over 200 worldwide destinations. There’s a direct half hourly rail service into the city centre that takes about 20 minutes or alternatively you can take a cab for the approx 9-mile trip.

By trrain

On the west coast mainline service from London to Glasgow – services are frequent so one of Mr Branson’s Pendolinos will get you to Manchester from London in just over two hours. There are frequent direct trains from Manchester to Liverpool, so you can sample a bit of what both cities have to offer without too much difficulty.

By road

Manchester’s at the centre of the extensive Northwest motorway network so it’s easy to get at from all sides of the country. London’s about a 3-hour drive and you can nip down the M62 to Liverpool, just 35 miles away, in no time at all.

GET THE INFO… W: visitmanchester.com T: 0871 222 8223

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303 Deansgate, M3 4LQ T: 0161 870 1600 W: hilton.co.uk/manchester

One of the best places to observe Manchester’s metamorphosis is from the new Beetham Tower, the gleaming glass edifice that now punctuates the Manchester skyline.

The bottom half of the tower is given over to the Hilton Manchester, a chic, modern take on the large-scale city centre hotel. Its cool, Scandinavian-esque look and top-notch facilities bagged it a place on Condé Nast Traveller’s hotlist for 2007. Take the trip up to the lush cocktail bar on the 23rd floor with its giddying panoramic views over the city and the countryside beyond.

The Lowrry Hotel 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf M3 5LH T: 0161 827 4000 W: thelowryhotel.com

Manchester’s first five star hotel is actually located on the Salford side of the river Irwell, where the clean white exterior of one of Rocco Forte’s landmark hotels fits perfectly against the sweeping curves of Santiago Calatrava’s Trinity bridge. All the comfort and mod cons you’d expect, plus a luxury spa and the opportunity to spot the celebs who’ve been performing at the nearby MEN Arena as they hang out in the chic riverside bar after their gigs.

Radisssson Edwarrdian

Malmaisson Manchessterr

City Inn Manchessterr

Free Trade Hall, Peter Street M2 5GP T: 0161 835 9929 W: radisson.com

Piccadilly M1 1LZ T: 0161 278 1000 W:malmaison.com

1 Piccadilly Place, 1 Auburn Street M1 3DG T: 0161 228 0008 W: cityinn.com

Five star luxury in one of Manchester’s landmark historic buildings. Built originally as a paean to the principals of free trade and democracy, the Free Trade Hall spent most of its life as a concert venue, being both the home of the Hallé Orchestra and the place where the Sex Pistols played a memorable gig. Its reincarnation as a contemporary hotel has been handled sensitively, with the musical theme pervading its suites, restaurants and bars.

Chic, modern hotel, housed in a Grade Ilisted Edwardian warehouse, with everything you’d expect from a Mal – relaxed yet attentive, smart and stylish with those extra little design touches. Well located near Piccadilly station and close to Canal Street and the Northern Quarter, the interior is all rich colours, plushy carpets and velvet cushions, producing a suitably seductive mood for cocktail hour. The Brasserie on the ground floor serves classic bistro fare with a local twist.

Newly-opened contemporary-styled hotel connected to Piccadilly station by a new footbridge, called the Manchester Curve.

Weather permitting, you can dine al-fresco in the City Café and there’s an impressive cocktail list to work through too.

The Midland Hotel Peter Street M60 2DS T: 0161 236 3333 W: qhotels.co.uk

This stately red brick edifice is Manchester’s traditional landmark hotel, dating from 1903 when it was built as a statement to the city’s stature and ambition. A Grade II-listed building, it has in its time seen some notable historic events, most famously the first meeting between Mr Rolls and Mr Royce.

A recent £12 million refurbishment has brought it bang up to date, ensuring that every little luxury is readily available, whilst still keeping its stately sense of history.

Grreat John Strreet Hotel Great John Street, Castlefield M3 4FD T: 0161 831 3211 W: greatjohnstreet.co.uk

This renovated Victorian schoolhouse has been given the full boutique hotel treatment, with every luxury catered for in its 30 suitestyle rooms. Not only is it at the heart of Manchester’s theatre and shopping district but its showpiece rooftop garden, complete with hot tub and hammocks, has a bird’s eye view of the comings and going on the hallowed cobbles of the Coronation Street set. Winner in the best small hotel category in the 2007 Manchester Tourism awards.

The Place Hotel 1 Ducie Street, Piccadilly M1 2TP T: 0161 778 750007 W: theplacehotel.com

Conveniently located apartment-hotel, next to Piccadilly railway station. A conversion of one of Manchester’s typical red-brick warehouses, it has retained many original Victorian features although not at the expense of comfort and contemporary style.

The Cotton House restaurant on the ground floor and its associated Champagne cocktail bar are also definite ‘places to be seen’.

stayingcool

Castlefield and Cathedral Quarter T: 0161 832 4060 W: stayingcool.com

These chic, individually-designed apartments in several locations across the city provide stylish accommodation with hotel-type services. Available for one night, one month and everything in-between.

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PLACES TO EAT

The Ox

PLACES TO DRINK

The Resstaurrant Barr & Grrill

74 Liverpool Road M3 4NQ T: 0161 839 7740

Peverril of the Peak

14 John Dalton Street M2 6JR T: 0161 839 1999

The best of modern British cooking in a restaurant that epitomises new Mancunian architecture and design – airy atrium, glass staircase, water feature, the works.

The Marrket Resstaurrant 104 High Street Northern Quarter M4 1HQ T: 0161 834 3743

Choice 16 Castle Quay, Castlefield M15 4NT T: 0871 5299463

Small and friendly Manchester foodie stalwart where the décor may be a bit trad but the cooking is some of the best in the city. Only open Wednesday to Saturday and always popular, so best to book.

Set in a 200-year old canalside warehouse, Choice offers top quality nosh in a relaxed setting. Has won numerous awards for its modern British menu which has a notable emphasis on local produce. Jazz pianist accompaniment on Saturday nights.

Yang Sing

Earrth Café

34 Princess Street M1 4JY T: 0161 236 2200

Frequently cited as the best Chinese restaurant in Europe, this Manchester institution has a vast 300-dish menu – the best plan is just to say ‘feed me’ and let them bring you the day’s specialities.

Room 81 King Street M2 4ST T: 0161 839 2005

Set in Manchester’s original Reform Club this modern restaurant and bar exemplifies what Manchester does best in mixing the best of the old and the best of the new. High quality food influenced by retro dishes, but all served with a contemporary twist.

Mrr Thomass’s Chop Housse 52 Cross Street M2 7AR T: 0161 832 2245

One of the best wine lists in town, all the better to wash down the exemplary English food which yes, does include chops.

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Head down to Castlefield for this great traditional pub which has a popular outdoor seating area in the summer with hanging baskets to make Alan Titchmarsh jealous.

16-20 Turner Street, Northern Quarter M4 1DZ T: 0161 834 1996

Housed in the Manchester Buddhist Centre, this vegan-friendly café is a haven of peace and tranquillity. The fresh juice combinations are full of positive karma but the wheatgrass shots are a bit of an acquired taste.

Ning 92-94 Oldham Street, Northern Quarter M4 1LJ T: 0161 238 9088

A funky new addition to the Northern Quarter restaurant scene, Ning serves a fantastic range of fresh and aromatic South East Asian food. Reckoned by some to have the best Pad Thai this side of Bangkok.

Grrill on the Alley Ridgefield, (just behind Deansgate) M2 6EG T: 0161 833 3465

Seriously up-market steakhouse where you can dine on specially-massaged Kobe beef or choose your own lobster.

127 Great Bridgewater Street M1 57Q T: 0161 236 6364

This gem of a pub is well worth seeking out.

The splendidly tiled green exterior is matched by the splendid ales on offer inside

The Brriton’s Protection 50 Great Bridgewater Street M1 5LE T: 0161 236 5895

Historic pub with an epic whisky selection where you can rub shoulders with the Hallé’s brass section as they nip out the back of The Bridgewater Hall for an interval half.

Casstlefield

The area that started the Manchester café bar scene is still home to some of its best, particularly if you want to sit outside and enjoy the view.

Deanssgate Lockss

A mixture of self consciously trendy watering holes and more casually hip bars line the canalside in a series of converted railway arches. At its best during the daytime and early evening if you want to avoid the nightclub crowd.

Canal Strreet

The UK’s original gay village is still one of the most exciting areas of the city, with a range of bars and cafés running along the canalside.

Norrtherrn Quarrterr

By day it’s the place to shop for hip vintage clothing, vinyl and crafts, by night it’s got a range of individualistic bars, from the laidback quirkiness of Odd, Manchester’s Bar of the Year, to the sophisticated mixology of the hard-to-find Socio Rehab (it’s on Edge St…)

THINGS TO SEE

Wheel of Manchessterr

Manchessterr Town Hall

Exchange Square, Manchester M3 1BD W: worldtouristattractions.co.uk

Albert Square M60 2LE T: 0161 234 5000

Feast your eyes on this gothic glory that is a testament to Victorian civic pride. Wonderful arched ceilings and mosaic floors with symbolism built into every stonework cornice and stained glass window. Doubles as the Houses of Parliament in many a TV drama.

OK, so it might not be quite the size of the London Eye, but you still get a fabulous view over the city from this 60m-high big wheel.

Chethamss School of Mussic

Thomas Heatherwick’s gravity-defying huge sculpture is one of the defining images of the New East Manchester skyline.

Long Millgate M3 1SB T: 0161 834 9644

Originally founded in the 15th century, this remarkable collection of buildings is one of Manchester’s hidden jewels. It’s got a 17th century quadrangle that wouldn’t look out of place in Oxford or Cambridge, a medieval banqueting hall and the oldest library in the English-speaking world.

John Rylandss Librrarry 150 Deansgate M3 3EH T: 0161 306 0555 W: manchester.ac.uk/library

One of the real gems of Manchester’s architectural history, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the John Rylands building was an elaborate church rather than a library.

This fantastic Grade I-listed piece of Victorian high gothic has recently undergone a £16.8m refurbishment, creating a new state-of-theart visitor centre to enhance the access to its rare and fascinating collections.

Chinatown George St, Charlotte Street

The third largest Chinatown in the world outside China (just behind San Francisco and Vancouver). Have a browse through fascinating shops, supermarkets and Chinese bakeries – best day to visit is Sunday when the Northwest Chinese community descend en masse to shop and eat dim sum.

B of the Bang City of Manchester Stadium, Alan Turing Way W: bofthebang.com

THINGS TO DO Norrtherrn Quarrterr

Colloquially known as Manchester’s creative quarter due to its concentration of designers, artist and musicians, it may not be the ritziest part of the city centre but it’s certainly one of the most interesting. A stroll around the quirky streets will reward you with eclectic record shops, vintage and specialist clothes stores, bohemian bars and eateries. N4 is also home to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, the Manchester Buddhist Centre and the Manchester institution that is Affleck’s Palace. Definitely not mainstream.

The Quayss

W: thequays.org.uk

Hop on one of Manchester’s distinctive trams for a trundle through the city centre and out to The Quays – just 15 minutes outside the city centre and you’re in a whole different landscape of big water, big skies and big buildings, including The Lowry and Imperial War Museum North.

Guided walkss T: 0871 222 8223

Discover the city’s secret corners with a range of guided walks that take you everywhere from up the Town Hall bell tower to down below the city streets tracing the history of the Rochdale canal. There are topic-driven options too, including a tour devoted to Mancunian inventions and one to the history of the city’s radical politics.

THINGS TO BUY

Old and obscure vinyl, vintage clothing, Manchester United memorabilia, designer labels.

GIVE IT A WHIRL… Affleck’s Palace

Exchange Squarre

52 Church Street M4 1PW T: 0161 834 2039

A shoppers’ haven with Harvey Nichols and Selfridges within spitting distance of each other. Harvey Nicks’ 2nd floor brasserie and bar is a favourite cocktail spot and the quirky Future System’s design of Selfridge’s food hall houses a number of counter-based eateries.

Marked by the fabulous mosaic artworks outside, this otherwise unprepossessing building houses a rabbit warren of alternative shops and stalls, selling everything from skateboards and fetish gear to vintage clothing and records.

King Strreet

GET THE INFO…

Elegant pedestrian shopping street stretching from Joseph, Agent Provocateur and Armani at one end to Monsoon, Hobbs and Hermes at the other.

W: visitmanchester.com T: 0871 222 8223

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THE CULTURE LIST: Manchessterr ART GALLERIES

Urrbiss

Manchessterr Arrt Gallerry

Cathedral Gardens M4 3BG T: 0161 605 8200 W: urbis.org.uk

Mosley Street M2 3JL T: 0161 235 8888 W: manchestergalleries.org

Restored in 2002 and given a striking new extension, the gallery shows off the wealth of Manchester’s artistic legacy, including its famous collection of Pre-Raphaelites and a great collection of modern pieces.

The Lowrry Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ T: 0870 787 5780 W: thelowry.com

A high-impact, landmark building, perfectly set against the vast water and sky background of The Quays at Salford.

The Lowry is a whole day out of attractions in itself – you get art galleries, two theatres, a gift shop and several restaurants, not to mention the tram ride out there.

Whitworrth Arrt Gallerry The University of Manchester, Oxford Road M15 6ER T: 0161 275 7450 W: whitworth.man.ac.uk

Great collection of art and design, from watercolours, prints, drawings, modern art and sculpture, including the largest collections of decorative textiles and wallpapers outside London.

Chinesse Arrtss Centrre Market Buildings, Thomas St M4 1EU T: 0161 832 7271 W: chinese-arts-centre.org

This national showcase for Oriental culture is a great place to catch exhibitions by Chinese artists. The centre’s chilled-out tea shop also provides a little haven of peace and tranquillity in the creative hubbub of the surrounding Northern Quarter.

Corrnerrhousse 70 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5NH T: 0161 200 1516 W: cornerhouse.org

The best place in the city for contemporary art, sculpture and photography, the Cornerhouse also houses a three-screen arthouse cinema, a fine bar and a welcoming, easy-going café.

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This flagship Manchester building sits imposingly in the lovely Cathedral Gardens like a rearing, glass-skinned serpent. Gallerycum-exhibition centre-cum-arts venue, Urbis is described as ‘the city centre’, reflecting its focus on different aspects of urban culture from around the world.

MUSEUMS The Musseum of Science and Indusstrry Liverpool Road, Castlefield M3 4FP T: 0161 832 2244 W: mosi.org.uk

As you would expect in the city that kick started the Industrial Revolution, this museum is full of fascinating insights into England’s industrial history and also boasts a great collection of plains, trains, cars and steam engines. The touring exhibitions are also worth checking out, with dinosaurs, Star Trek and Dr Who the most recent topics.

Imperrial Warr Musseum Norrth The Quays, Trafford M17 1TZ T: 0161 836 4000 W: iwm.org.uk/north

The UK’s first building by Daniel Libeskind, IWM North is a real attention-grabber – more like architecture as environmental sculpture.

Located on the opposite bank of The Quays to The Lowry, this is another building that uses its waterscape backdrop to sensational effect. On the inside, its thought-provoking exhibitions have won it a prestigious national silver award in the Enjoy England tourism awards 2007.

Manchessterr Musseum Oxford Road M13 9PL T: 0161 275 2634 W: museum.man.ac.uk

An established part of Manchester University for over 100 years, the museum covers all the ‘ologies’ from archaeology to zoology.

The original building was the work of Alfred Waterhouse, architect of Manchester Town Hall, with the 2003 refurbishment undertaken

by Ian Simpson, architect of Urbis and the new Beetham Tower.

THEATRES The Royal Exchange St Ann’s Square M2 7DH T: 0161 833 9833 W: royalexchange.co.uk

Make sure that the Royal Exchange is on your itinerary, if not for one of the consistently top-notch theatrical performances, then just to take in the jaw-dropping, dramatic interior that was once the trading floor of the city’s Cotton Exchange. Good craft shop too.

The Librrarry Theatrre St Peter’s Square M2 5PD T: 0161 236 7110 W: librarytheatre.com

The handsome rotunda of Manchester’s Central Library houses a surprise in its basement – the oldest repertory theatre company in the UK. Focussing mainly on contemporary and sometimes provocative works, the theatre also attracts some interesting touring productions.

Contact Theatrre Devas Street M15 6JA T: 0161 274 0604 W: contact-theatre.org

Remodelled in 1999, this architecturally madcap building looks almost Gaudi-esque.

With a stated mission of catering for the 13– 30 age group, the theatrical product veers towards the cutting edge and contemporary, with regular club nights and laid-back DJs.

Grreen Room

MUSIC VENUES

Royal Norrtherrn College of Mussic

54-56 Whitworth Street M1 5WW T: 0161615 0515 W: greenroomarts.org

MEN Arrena

124 Oxford Rd M13 9RD T: 0161 907 5377 W: rncm.ac.uk

This hip, experimental performance space is tucked away underneath the railway arches.

Consistently avant-garde productions and another good spot for café bar lounging, with regular DJs in the foyer space.

Palace Theatrre Oxford Road M1 6FT T: 0161 245 6600 W: livenation.co.uk

The major venue in Manchester for touring West End productions, this is a classic example of the grand temples to variety that were built in the Victorian era – all gilded statues and red plush seating.

Operra Housse Quay Street M3 3HP T: 0161 828 1700 W: livenation.co.uk

Slightly smaller sister venue to the Palace, this is another traditional theatre venue, veering more towards opera, ballet and one-off comedy or musical shows.

The Lowrry Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ T: 0870 787 5780 W: thelowry.com

The Lowry’s two performing spaces provide a strong mix of music, ballet, opera, theatre and comedy.

Victoria Station M3 1AR T: 0871 226 5000 W: men-arena.com

The largest indoor arena in Europe, this is the place to catch the Kylies and Justins of this world on their latest blockbusting tour.

This top-notch musical conservatoire is the place to catch the classical stars of the future, as well as an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary artists.

Manchessterr Apollo

Academy 1,2 & 3

Stockport Rd, Ardwick Green M12 6AP T: 0161 273 6921 W: livenation.co.uk

Oxford Road M13 9PR T: 0161 275 2930 W: manchesteracademy.net

This big old converted cinema is the venue for those comedy and music gigs that are too big for the Academy and not yet big enough for the MEN Arena.

The three spaces at this University-based venue provide a sliding scale of size to suit wherever a band currently sits on the path from anonymity to fame, or vice versa.

The Brridgewaterr Hall

Roadhousse

Lower Mosley Street, Petersfield M2 3WS T: 0161 907 9000 W: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Opened in 1996, the Hall is one of Europe’s best venues for classical music and home to not one but three orchestras: the Hallé (Britain’s oldest professional symphony orchestra), the BBC Philharmonic and the Manchester Camerata. Also good for topnotch visiting international orchestras and soloists, plus a complementary programme of non-classical, jazz and world music artists.

8 Newton Street M1 2AN T: 0161 237 9789 W: theroadhouselive.co.uk

One of Manchester’s great survivors, this intimate basement venue has been around since Oasis and The Verve were doing their first gigs. A standard stop on any up-andcoming, NME-rated band’s touring itinerary.

Matt & Phrred’s 64 Tib Street M4 1LW T: 0161 831 7002 W: mattandphreds.com

Ronnie Scott’s in miniature, this atmospheric Northern Quarter institution is where you can hear jazz of the highest order on most nights well into the early hours.

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THE ESSENTIALS: Blackpool & Lancasshirre The rolling hills and gentle valleys of the Lancashire countryside have a special charm all of their own, especially when they come dotted with a range of notable restaurants and reinvented country pubs. The area that brought you black pudding, Lancashire cheese, Goosnargh duck and potted shrimps is rediscovering its culinary heritage, sprouting bistros, farm shops and innovative food producers all over the county.

GETTING HERE By road

The M6 motorway runs through central Lancashire making it easily accessible from all parts of the UK. Junctions with the M65 and M55 take you off into the east and west of the county respectively.

By trrain

The west coast main line from London to Glasgow stops at Preston and Lancaster.

Change at Preston for connections to other parts of Lancashire, including trains to Blackpool and the coast.

By buss

Good bus services throughout Lancashire – check with National Express (0870 5808080) for coach routes and timetables and with Traveline (0871 2002233) for local bus services.

PLACES TO STAY The Inn at Whitewell Dunsop Road, Whitewell, Nr Clitheroe BB7 3AT T: 01200 448222 W: www.innatwhitewell.com

Wonderfully atmospheric, rambling old coaching inn dating back to the 1300s, complete with authentic creaking floorboards and the odd stuffed fox. Outside is the beautiful Forest of Bowland, while inside there are roaring fires, a great restaurant and fantastic breakfasts (good black pudding of course). Has a fab wine merchants on site too.

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Norrthcote Manorr

Bay Horrsse Inn

Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8BE T: 01254 240555 W: www.northcotemanor.com

Forton, Lancaster LA2 0HR T: 01524 791204 W: bayhorseinn.com

Northcote Manor sits in lush countryside on the edge of the Ribble Valley and at about an hour’s drive from Manchester or Liverpool, it’s a destination for serious foodies. Awardwinning chef Nigel Haworth takes a creative approach to regional specialities (Lancashire cheese ice cream anyone?) and the great wine list means that it’s best to book in overnight in one of the well-appointed rooms.

A real quality gastropub, conveniently located just off the M6 and A6 between Lancaster and Preston so a good place to stop off if you’re driving up to the Lakes. Big helpings of home-made everything.

Numberr One Blackpool 1 St Lukes Road, Blackpool FY4 2EL T: 01254 343901 W: www.numberoneblackpool.com

Who’d have thought it? Blackpool is now leading the way in reinventing the traditional B & B format. And what a reinvention – this boutique hotel style bed and breakfast in a quiet area of South Shore is a revelation of quality, comfort and fantastic service.

Judges at the 2007 Enjoy England tourism awards thought so too, awarding it the prestigious title of best B & B in the country.

Stanley Housse Mellor, Nr Blackburn BB2 7NP T: 01254 769200 W: www.stanleyhouse.co.uk

Small, boutique hotel which manages to combine a real out-in-the-countryside feel while being just minutes away from the M6 and M65. The quality and attention to detail that have gone into Stanley House started attracting awards almost from the day it opened, culminating recently in the 2007 Enjoy England tourism awards when it came top in the UK in the small hotel category.

PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK The Longrridge Resstaurrant 104–106 Higher Road, Longridge PR3 3SY T: 01772 784969 W: www.heathcotes.co.uk

The restaurant where Lancashire chef Paul Heathcote made his name is nestled in the Ribble Valley and despite the spread of his culinary empire across the North of England, it still retains the same luxurious but unpretentious atmosphere that made it such a favourite. A real treat.

THINGS TO SEE The Grreat Promenade Show New South Promenade, Blackpool FY4 1RW T: 01253 476520 W: thegreatpromenadeshow.co.uk

Stretching along the rebuilt south prom on Blackpool front is a unique collection of weird, wacky and wonderful sculptures, commissioned to celebrate Blackpool’s distinctive mix of natural and man-made environments. Ranging from the astonishing tide organ, whose haunting tunes are created by the action of the waves, to the world’s largest mirror ball, which pays homage to the town’s place as ballroom capital of the world.

Guaranteed to make you smile.

Forresst of Bowland Bowland Forest T: 01772 534140 W: forestofbowland.com

An Area of Outstanding National Beauty covering a large swathe of rural Lancashire, including the famous landmark Pendle Hill.

The landscape varies from the beautiful wooded valley to the heather moorland that is a haven for wildlife and rare birds.

THINGS TO BUY

Chorley cakes, Lancashire cheese, Bowland beef and Blackpool rock

GIVE IT A WHIRL… Infussion Pleasure Beach, Blackpool 525 Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ T: 0870 444 5566 W: blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

A series of twisted loops completely suspended over water, this brand new gigantic rollercoaster is for those with nerves (and stomachs) of steel.

THE CULTURE LIST: Blackpool & Lancasshirre

THEATRES & VENUES

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

The Peterr Scott Gallerry

The Grrand Theatrre

The National Football Musseum

33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT T: 01253 290111 W: blackpoolgrand.co.uk

Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston PR1 6PA T: 01772 908442 W: nationalfootballmuseum.com

Lancaster University LA1 4YW T: 01524 593057 W: lancs.ac.uk/users/peterscott/scott

Grand by name and grand by nature, this is a riot of plush velvet, gilt and chandeliers, all restored to its original Victorian splendour.

Officially Britian’s National Theatre of Variety (“can you hear me at the back?”), this is the place to catch touring shows, including comedy, opera, and musicals.

Dukess Theatrre & Cinema Moor Lane, Lancaster LA1 1QE T: 01524 598505 W: dukes-lancaster.org

Arts venue that covers a lot of bases from theatre, comedy and music performances to cinema screenings and a small gallery.

Does a great Promenade series of open-air performances in Lancaster’s lovely Williamson Park during July and August.

Why Preston, you may say? The address might give a clue as to why this national museum is located in the Lancashire heartland – Preston North End is one of the country’s oldest professional football clubs with an illustrious history going back to 1880.

Building a museum to celebrate this history was an initial idea that then blossomed into a fascinating and illuminating journey through the history of the game. Considered to have the finest archive of historic football memorabilia in the world, including the prestigious FIFA collection.

Harrrriss Musseum and Arrt Gallerry Market Square, Preston PR1 6PA T: 01772 258248 W: harrismuseum.org.uk

As well as a great gallery and museum, the Harris is also worth a visit for the building itself, a splendid Grade I-listed temple to Victorian civic pride. Inside you’ll find a surprisingly good selection of artworks acquired by the wealthy cotton barons of the day, plus, as you would expect, a fine selection of decorative arts.

Houses Lancaster University’s art collection and changing exhibitions and displays, with a good range of sculpture, photography and crafts. Prints and original paintings by final year students are available for purchase at the end of the summer term.

Panopticonss Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale W: panopticons.uk.net

A recent initiative to place landmark works of art at viewpoints in the hills of East Lancashire. The artworks created to date include Atom in Pendle, a bronze-coated egg shaped sculpture and viewing shelter, an eerily evocative Singing Ringing Tree in Burnley that produces a tuneful song in the wind and, in Rossendale, the 18m diameter steel lattice-work circle Halo (shown above).

Places to contemplate the meaning of life.

GET THE INFO… W: visitlancashire.com

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THE ESSENTIALS: Chessterr & Chesshirre Chester wears its rich Roman heritage with pride — as you would expect in a city founded by the Romans in AD70. But Chester also has definite contemporary charms, from the slew of new restaurants and boutiques to the tree-lined banks of the River Dee. Outside the city centre, you’re straight into the leafy lanes and rolling greenery of the Cheshire countryside, where you’ll find no shortage of stately homes and gardens to visit or fine country inns where you can while away a leisurely lunch.

Alderrley Edge Hotel

THINGS TO SEE

Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7BJ T: 01625 583 033 W: alderleyedgehotel.com

Easstgate Clock

GETTING HERE

PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

By road

Chester is easily accessible from the main north-south M6 motorway via the M56.

Manchester is just over an hour away by road and from Liverpool it’s well under an hour via the Mersey tunnel.

By trrain

Direct rail links from London, Manchester and Liverpool. Change at Crewe for other mainline connections.

By buss

Chester is well served by National Express (0870 5808080) from all parts of the country.

PLACES TO STAY Chessterr Grrossvenorr and Spa

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Classic English country house hotel set in a mid 19th century Elizabethan Gothic-style mansion. Situated just two minutes walk from what many consider to be Cheshire’s most desirable village.

On the edge of the city walls is Chester’s answer to Big Ben, the ironwork Eastgate clock dating from 1899. Take the steps up to the city’s Roman wall to get great views of the city streets – you can pretty much circle the entire city centre by walking round it.

The Grreen Bough Hotel

The Rowss

60 Hoole Road, Chester CH2 3NL T: 01244 326241 W: chestergreenbough.com

Trailing a whole raft of awards behind it, including Best Small Hotel in England, Green Bough is a quietly stylish, elegantly cosy boutique hotel just a few minutes walk from the city centre.

Duttonss 10–12 Godstall Lane, Chester CH1 2LN T: 01244 401869

Tucked down a side street beside Chester cathedral, Duttons is a mix of trendy wine bar cum ever-so-refined tea shop. It’s a little oasis of calm in the bustling melée of Chester city centre, with alfresco tables offering a shady vantage point for people watching.

Juniperr 21 The Downs, Altrincham WA14 2QD. T: 0161 929 4008 W: juniper-restaurant.co.uk

One of the Northwest’s consistently fantastic restaurants and a recipient of a Michelin star every year since 1998, Paul Kitching’s Juniper is a destination in itself. The 8-course gourmet tasting menu is a real treat.

Eastgate, Chester CH1 1LT T: 01244 324024 W: chestergrosvenor.com

The Red Housse

This luxurious 5-star hotel and top-notch spa is a Chester institution and the ultimate Cheshire-set weekend escape. From its black and white timbered, Grade II-listed exterior you may be expecting a cacophony of chintz, but inside you’ll find muted contemporary tones and understated elegance, plus the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city.

Worthy winner in the large hotel category in the 2007 Enjoy England awards.

Ultra-modern reworking of an old pub into a contemporary dining destination. An impressive architect-designed, two-storey glass extension looks out over chic gardens to the banks of the river Dee – you can even arrive by boat if you choose. The food is designed to impress as well.

Dee Banks, Great Boughton, Chester CH3 5UX T: 01244 320088

Eastgate, Chester

Set within the city walls, the distinctive split-level Rows are effectively double decker shops. These black and white timberered buildings date from the middle ages – part of the Rows on Bridge Street are said to feature the oldest shop front in England. Nothing medieval about the merchandise though – the Rows are now packed with contemporary boutiques to taunt your plastic.

THINGS TO DO Chessterr Zoo Upton-by-Chester CH2 1LH T: 01244 380280 W: chesterzoo.org

Whatever your age, you’re never too old for a good zoo, and Chester is one of the best.

The orang-utans seem to have ‘make ‘em laugh’ written into their contract, with the juniors spending their time entertaining their relatives (and the visitors) with their antics.

Chessterrboat T: 01244 325394

Go boating on the river Dee, cruising through Chester and the surrounding countryside.

THINGS TO BUY

Whatever your plastic can stand – Chester is a shopaholic’s heaven.

GIVE IT A WHIRL… Chessterr Ghosst Tourrss T: 01244 402445 W: visitchester.com

Discover your inner Dereck Acorah with a trip round what many consider Britain’s ‘most haunted’ city. The Chester Ghosthunter Trail is a night-time guided walk around the city’s spooky and scary places, with tales of eerie goings-on across the centuries.

THE CULTURE LIST: Chessterr & Chesshirre THEATRES & VENUES

Jodrrell Bank Vissitorr Centrre

Clonterr Operra Theatrre

Holmes Chapel SK11 9DL T: 01477 571339 W: jb.man.ac.uk/viscen

Swettenham Heath, Congleton CW12 2LR T: 01260 224514 E: boxoffice@clonteropera.com

Cheshire’s Glyndbourne equivalent, in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.

A 400-seat venue set in gorgeous woodland that presents opera, jazz and other musical events.

The world-famous Lovell Radio telescope is a prominent feature of the Cheshire landscape.

You can get up close to the telescope itself and there’s also an exhibition centre, an extensive arboretum and an environmental discovery centre.

HERITAGE

Alexanderrss Jazz Cafe

Tatton Parrk

Rufus Court, Chester CH1 2JW T: 01244 340005 W: alexandersjazz.com

Knutsford WA16 6QN T: 01625 534400 W: tattonpark.org.uk

Continental-style cafe bar by day and venue for jazz, blues and comedy by night.

Supposedly the longest-running comedy club outside London.

Thought to be England’s most complete historic estate, Tatton has a fine Georgian mansion full of art treasures and original furnishings, but it is the glorious 1,000 acres of parkland, with lakes and a herd of deer, that most people come to see.

MUSEUMS Norrton Priorry Musseum & Garrdenss Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1SX T: 01928 569895 W: nortonpriory.org

A medieval priory established in 1134 is the basis for an award winning museum, plus a fabulous walled garden.

Grrossvenorr Musseum 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2DD T: 01244 402008 W: visitchester.com

Two millennia of the city’s history spread over three floors of this grand 19th century building. Needless to say, there’s a focus on the Roman element, with recreations of what life was like in the Deva of yore.

Deva Roman Experrience Pierpoint Lane, Chester CH1 1NL T: 01244 343407 W: grosvenormuseum.co.uk

The whole of Chester is quite a Roman experience, but if that isn’t enough for you, you can immerse yourself in the historic details in this museum sited on extensive Roman, Saxon and medieval remains.

Arrley Hall and Garrdenss Northwich CW9 6NA T: 01565 777353 W: arleyhallandgardens.com

The Hall at Arley is very charming but it’s the gardens that draw the crowds, with Arley cited in the top 10 gardens to visit in the UK.

Lyme Parrk Disley, Stockport SK12 2NX T: 01663 762023 W: nationaltrust.org.uk

Nestling in the foothills of the Peak District, this gorgeous country house and grounds will be familiar to many as the setting for Colin Firth’s famous wet T-shirt moment in the the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice series.

Immaculate gardens, medieval deer park, cosy tea shop – all the ingredients of a great Sunday afternoon out.

GET THE INFO… Chessterr Tourrisst Inforrmation Centrre Northgate Street CH1 2HJ T: 01244 402111 W: visitcheshire.com

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THE ESSENTIALS: Cumbrria – The Lake Disstrrict

Take it from the mouth of the man himself — Wordsworth said that there was “nowhere in so narrow a compass with such a variety of the sublime and beautiful”. With 16 beautiful lakes, unspoilt beaches and 100 peaks over 2,000 feet high all within a 30-mile stretch, this is the perfect place to go wandering ‘lonely as a cloud’.

The joy of the Lakes is that you can leave your boutique hotel, cosy country inn or gourmet restaurant on foot and immediately be in the breathtaking scenery that entranced the poets of yore.

GETTING HERE

PLACES TO STAY

By road

Sharrrrow Bay

You can reach the southern Lakes by car from either Liverpool or Manchester in little over an hour. All parts of Lakeland are easily accessible from the M6 motorway, which runs north to south just to the eastern side of Cumbria.

By trrain

The west coast main line from London to Glasgow stops at Oxenholme (change for Kendal and Windermere), Penrith and Carlisle.

There are also regular direct trains between Manchester Airport and Windermere and between Manchester Airport and Barrow-inFurness and the Western Lake District.

By buss

Windermere and Keswick are well served by National Express (0870 5808080) coaches from all parts of the country.

GET THE INFO… W: golakes.co.uk T: 015398 22222

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Lake Ullswater, Penrith CA10 2LZ, T: 01768 486301 W: sharrowbay.co.uk

The grandaddy of Lake District country house hotels, Sharrow Bay set the standard for others to follow. Worth going for the spectacular Ullswater views and the afternoon tea – it’s an occasion in itself.

The Samling Ambleside Road, Windermere LA23 1LR. T: 015394 31922. W: thesamling.com

Perched on a hill above Lake Windermere, the Samling may be at the heart of Wordsworth country but don’t expect anything twee or olde worlde here. Fat sofas, CD/TV/DVD players and living-flame fires, with huge deep baths and Molton Brown toiletries. There’s even an outdoor hot tub.

The Linthwaite Housse Hotel Crook Rd, Windermere LA23 3JA T: 015394 88600 W: linthwaite.com

Another hotel with a legendary afternoon tea, Linthwaite House overlooks Lake Windermere and has its own trout-filled tarn and croquet lawn set in 15 acres of wild woodland grounds. Chic, modern comfort with an elegant restaurant, this is a great location for a romantic weekend and featured on Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List in 2006.

PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK

The Outgate Inn

Grrizedale Forresst Parrk

L’enclume Resstaurrant

Outgate, Nr Hawskhead LA22 0NQ T: 015394 36413 W: outgateinn.co.uk

T: 01229 860373 W: forestry.gov.uk

Down-to-earth 18th century pub set in a hamlet between Hawkshead and Ambleside with a cosy restaurant and just three rooms.

Main claim to fame is its live jazz evenings every Friday from February through to October – attracts a bit of a crowd so best to book a table.

Situated between Coniston and Hawkshead, this beautiful forest hides over 70 works of art and sculpture scattered through the woodland. There are walking and cycling routes with beautiful views over Coniston Water and plenty of arty pit stops.

The Towerr Bank Arrmss

Winderrmerre Lake Crruissess

Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6PZ T: 015395 36362 W: lenclume.co.uk

A small Lakeland village might seem like an odd location for a Michelin-starred restaurant, but chef Simon Rogan has made an amazing temple to gastronomy in this old 13th century smithy. It has seven comfortable and characterful rooms to roll into once you’ve made your way through the epic, paletteexpanding tasting menu.

Drrunken Duck Inn Barngates, Ambleside LA22 ONG T: 015394 36347 W: drunckenduckinn.co.uk

Fantastic 400-year-old Lakeland Inn where you can dine in the AA-rosetted restaurant, sample a prize-winning ale from the on-site Barngates Brewery, and stay the night in one of 16 spacious and comfy rooms. The pub grub is first rate too.

The Punch Bowl Inn Crosthwaite, Lyth Valley LA8 8HR T: 015395 68237 W: the-punchbowl.co.uk

This top quality Lakeland gastropub set in a tiny village near Kendal is great for a cosy country bolthole weekend. Has a nice vibe about it – the sort of place where old and new work together well, from the top notch foodie standards of the restaurant to the wellie-wearing locals popping in for quick halves of beer.

The Morrtal Man Troutbeck, Windermere LA23 1PL T: 015394 33193 W: themortalman.com

One of the best things about staying in the Lakes is waking up to amazing views and this oddly-named and cosy 17th century hostelry has one to die for. The sign by the road reads “O mortal man that lives by bread, what is it makes they nose so red? Thou silly fool, that look’st so pale, ‘Tis drinking Sally Birkett’s ale.” Real ales are still there aplenty, as is a seriously artery-coating cooked breakfast.

Near Sawrey, Nr Hawkshead LA22 0LF T: 015394 36334 W: towerbankarms.co.uk

This small and welcoming country inn is recognisable as that illustrated in The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck. Mrs Heelis, aka Beatrix Potter, used to live next door.

THINGS TO SEE Tarrn Howss Coniston

Considered by many to be the most beautiful spot in the Lake District (as its ubiquitous presence on postcards would indicate) this tranquil lake is circled by paths with plenty of grassy picnic spots. Can get a bit untranquil at the height of summer.

Airra Forrce Ullswater

Force is the Cumbrian name for waterfall and you’re unlikely to see a prettier one than Aira, sparkling and tumbling its way down a 70 ft drop through craggy Lakeland slate. It can be viewed from stone bridges spanning the top and bottom of the drop but get there early or late to avoid the crowds

THINGS TO DO T: 015394 43360 W: windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

The best way to enjoy the beauty of Lake Windermere is from the water, with regular sailings daily thoughout the year.

Ullsswaterr Steamerrss Glenridding, Cumbria T: 01768 482229 W: ullswater-steamers.co.uk

Taking one of the atmospheric old lake steamers on Ullswater is not only a joy in itself, it’s a great way to access some lovely and not too taxing walks, including the popular lakeshore walk to Patterdale.

Ravenglassss and Esskdale Railway T: 01229 717171 W: ravenglass-railway.co.uk

Known affectionately as ‘la’al Ratty’, this is the oldest narrow-gauge railway in England.

Originally built in 1875 to carry iron ore, it now provides an entertaining 7 mile, 40minute steam train journey that winds its way through the forests and fields of lower Eskdale.

THINGS TO BUY

Casstlerrigg Stone Cirrcle

Cumberland sausage, Kendal mint cake and Grasmere gingerbread.

Just outside Keswick and along Castle Lane from the A591

GIVE IT A WHIRL…

Even through it is dwarfed by the surrounding mighty peaks of Skiddaw, Helvellyn and Blencathra, this 5,000-year-old circle of 48 craggy standing stones has an awesome presence and dignity.

The #79 buss ride in Borrrrowdale Reckoned to be one of the UK’s most scenic bus rides, the ‘Borrowdale Rambler’ runs along the B5289, down the side of Derwent Water and through the dramatic valley of Borrowdale, stopping at various waterfalls, fells and hamlets along the way.

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THE CULTURE LIST: Cumbrria – The Lake Disstrrict THEATRES & VENUES

Blackwell

Laurrel and Harrdy Musseum

Brrewerry Arrtss Centrre

Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3JT T: 015394 46139 W: blackwell.org.uk

Upper Brook St, Ulverston LA12 7BQ T: 01229 582292 W: laurel-and-hardy-museum.co.uk

Highgate, Kendal LA9 4HE T: 015397 25133 W: breweryarts.co.uk

Not just a theatre but much more besides in this multi-purpose venue for music, theatre, dance and comedy. It also has two cinema screens, an exhibition space, plus a suitably bohemian bar and restaurant. What’s more it attracts the sort of artists you might be surprised to find playing a market town in Cumbria. Worth checking out.

Originally built for the Manchester brewery magnate, Sir Edward Holt, Blackwell is a superb example of a turn-of-the-20th century Arts and Crafts house. Now lovingly restored and open to the public, it’s a living and breathing example of the distinctive architecture of the period as well as housing a fantastic and ever-growing collection of Arts and Crafts artefacts.

Theatrre by the Lake

MUSEUMS

Lakeside, Keswick CA12 5DJ T: 01768 774411 W: theatrebythelake.com

Hosting performances, concerts and exhibitions, the Theatre by the Lake acts as a bit of a cultural hub for the north Lakes. Set in a fabulous position on the edge of Derwent Water, it’s open all year round.

Old Laundrry Theatrre Crag Brow, Bownedd on Windermere LA23 3BX T: 015394 88444 W: oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk

Wonderfully intimate theatre in the heart of Lakeland that hosts a great Autumn Festival every year attracting stellar names such as Victoria Wood and Jenny Agutter. Worth checking out.

GALLERIES Abbot Hall Arrt Gallerry Kendal LA9 5AL T: 015397 22464 W: abbothall.org.uk

The high-profile exhibitions at Abbot Hall have attracted national attention since it started its innovative partnership with the Tate in 2001.

In recent years the gallery has hosted major exhibitions by artists such as Lucian Freud, Bridget Riley, Euan Uglow and Walter Richard Sickert and is housed in a lovely Georgian villa on the banks of the river Kent.

Beatrrix Potterr Gallerry Main St, Hawkshead, Ambleside LA22 0NS T: 015394 36355 W: nationaltrust.org.uk

For lovers of Jemima Puddleduck et al, gallery showing original book illustrations

by Beatrix Potter.

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Where else for a museum devoted to Laurel and Hardy but Stan Laurel’s birthplace – the Cumbrian market town of Ulverston. Housed in a tiny ramshackle building, the museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia, a dizzying chaos (‘another fine mess?’) of photos, figurines, letters and artefacts. There’s also a tiny cinema showing the duo’s greatest films.

Dove Cottage & The Worrdssworrth Musseum

Cumberrland Pencil Musseum

Grasmere LA22 9SH T: 015394 35544 W: wordsworth.org.uk

We kid you not. A quirky museum devoted to one of the region’s oldest industries that developed around the naturally-occurring pure graphite that was mined out of the fells around Borrowdale. More than you’ll ever need to know about the art of pencil-making.

Wordsworth’s picturesque former home on the outskirts of Grasmere has been lovingly restored and features a whole host of the poet’s original possessions – from his marital bed to his ice skates. A stone’s throw from Dove Cottage is the new £3.15m Jerwood Centre, home to the Wordsworth’s Trust’s 59,000 manuscripts, books and prints relating to the English Romantics.

Brrantwood Coniston LA21 8AD T: 015394 41396 W: brantwood.org.uk

‘There is no wealth but life’ said John Ruskin, and you can understand why he had such a great perspective on reality when you visit his wonderfully-sited home overlooking Lake Coniston. The house and gardens are open to the public and there’s an ongoing programme of exhibitions and events to enlighten you as to the life and work of the grand old man of Victorian art and letters.

Hill Top Near Sawrey, Hawkshead LA22 0LF T: 015394 36269 W: nationaltrust.org.uk

Seriously quaint 17th century farmhouse where Beatrix Potter wrote her stories and where Renée Zellwegger got to practise her English accent again. A beautiful location and the only place to go if you’re after a Mrs Tiggy Winkle sugar shaker.

Main St, Keswick CA12 5NG. T: 01768 773626 W: pencilmuseum.co.uk

HERITAGE Levenss Hall Sizergh, nr Kendal LA8 8AE T: 015395 60321 W: levenshall.co.uk

Elizabethan stately home dating from the 14th century but worth visiting primarily for its renowned topiary garden, the oldest in Britain and the blueprint for the 17th century formal garden. The on-site restaurant sells rib-sticking local fayre and it even brews its own spiced Elizabethan beer.

Holkerr Hall, Garrdenss & Lakeland Motorr Musseum Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 7PL T: 015395 58838 W: holker-hall.co.uk

Stately home that’s worth a visit for its 25 acres of justly-famous gardens plus its status as home to the Lakeland Motor Museum, exhibiting a range of historic cars.

GET THE INFO… W: golakes.co.uk T: 015398 22222