FACT is easily one of the best things Liverpool has to offer, if not THE best thing…read more FACT is a combination of cinema, art gallery, exhibition space, bar, cafe and shop. Yes, all of that. The cinema is absolutely top notch, it is the best cinema I have ever visited. They show a good mix of both major releases and independent films. You'll find big blockbusters rubbings shoulders with arthouse movies, or Japanese animation. They even show classics from time to time. Perfect. The art exhibitions change on a regular basis so it's hard to specifically review those. My favourite in recent memory is the "History of Music Video" piece they had in, where you could go through the evolution of the medium. I spent ages in here and wrote down a good few obscure artists I hadn't heard of so I could check them out later. Anyway, the exhibitions are always fantastic and imaginative. The bar is also much-loved. It's a favourite hang-out spot of mine, even if I'm not in the building for anything else. It doesn't boast a HUGE range of drinks but the atmosphere is always nice, relaxed and friendly. The cafe downstairs is equally as good, especially lately as it's been re-done and now offers a bigger selection. I'm especially fond of the different green teas. Anyway, FACT is a must. It's essential. It is the heart of Liverpool.

FACT is fabulous - its only flaw being that it is in Liverpool and not Belfast! I discovered FACT…read morewhile visiting friends in Liverpool and it is without a doubt the best cinema I've ever been in. It shows a full range of film, both commercial and more obscure or 'arty' movies. One of its 4 cinema's has the best luxury sofa seating ever - it's so comfy. Plus there is a cafe/ bar and you can take your wine into the cinema screens to enjoy while you watch your movie. FACT = Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, so it's not just a cinema, it also has 3 art galleries showing various art exhibitions. FACT is an amazing arts centre - I want one in Belfast :-(

Although I've never spent a night in the Oriel House I have spent a few days there. Years ago I…read moreworked for an employer who from time to time used the Oriel as a venue for training courses. I actually spent my fortieth birthday there on a slightly strange course from which I learned nothing but at least I got a day out of the office and a nice lunch. I've just recently been back as my brother-in-law and his fiance chose the hotel as their wedding venue. They do the complete wedding package in-house so the ceremony, wedding breakfast and night do all took place in the hotel. The grounds are ideal for wedding photos and there is a nice outdoor patio, not too far from the bar, which is a great location to sit around and chat while the photos are being taken. If the weather isn't good enough there's a bright and warm conservatory adjacent to the patio. The food at the wedding breakfast was very good, duck parfait as a starter, roast chicken with boulangere potatoes and veg for the main course and a rich chocolate cheesecake with caramalised bananas for dessert. Everything was well cooked and tasty. Service was very efficient with courses been served quickly but without any feeling of being rushed. The evening buffet consisted of cooked meats, quiches and pasta and rice salads and again was very tasty and a step above those hotels that rely on the freezers in Iceland for their buffet menu. All in all a very well organised and enjoyable day. I can't really comment on the accommodation, although I did get a quick look at the bridal suite (and I assume that not every room has a jacuzzi the bedroom!), but as a conference/training or wedding venue you can't go too far wrong with the Oriel House. The only minor quibble we had was that there was no facility to pay by card at the bar, we had to leave a card behind the bar and set up a tab, but we would have preferred to pay as we went.

Situated on the A525 just outside St Asaph on the road to Trefnant. An extremely spacious car park…read morein very well kept grounds. The first thing that strikes you when you enter is that this hotel is very well run. The staff are young bright and energetic, nothing is too much trouble for them. The hotel caters for resident and non resident and function rooms are available for that night out, parties, conferences etc. There is an extensive menu and the food is well cooked and well presented. They also have an extensive wine list

I had one of the best restaurant meals I've had in a long time (and I and very hard to please)…read more Both the Woodpigeon started and the Mallard main course were cooked to perfection and the accompaniments were well matched and brilliantly excecuted.

Bootle Oriel Road Station is a little train station in the Bootle area, which I guess is obvious…read more Unlike a lot of the other tiny train stations around, this one actually has facilities and an actual building. It's been recently redone, and looks spruced up, clean, and friendly.

A place close to my heart , hallowed turf and hallowed ground! In terms of a review I'll tell you…read morethis , this staff are friendly and the seats are plastic and hard but remember this is a sports stadium not a recommended eatery ! Yeah they do have pies in the hot counter next to the beer but it's a rugby ground! Beer is good, served in plastic cups - mainly as if somebody lobs it across to the coach or any other fans they won't end up with a nasty cut It's also good with choice for non alcoholic beverages as sometimes it's just Coke or Diet Coke ! Here there is a variety and it is all well priced! A pint of cold fosters ( which is served very quickly is £3.40 ) so not dirt cheap but not overboard ! To get into the ground you scan your ticket and go through the turnstiles and the best seating I belive is in the south stand !

Better Known as Knowsley Road, this is the Home of St Helens, the most successful Rugby League team…read moreof the modern Superleague era. A very old stadium that has not much going for it, apart from the sincilating Rugby played there by the home team.

Exterior-wise, Liverpool has some of the country's gorgeousest pubs (shut up, that is so to a…read moreword). The insides of them are normally vile beyond belief but the fact you can flit from grand Edwardian palace to boozy Victorian safehold with only a few steps is a great thing. The Hunts Cross isn't like this. It occupies the ugliest building in the area, a depressing block of a 60s dump. However, inside the caramel-coloured decor and gently murmuring customers make it a good spot for a relaxing afternoon pint.

I think Aintree railway station is one of the more better stations in Liverpool. It definitely…read moreshould be, considering that Aintree is home to the World's biggest steeplechase that always draws in hundreds of crowds each year. The station may be small and simple but it is well designed for passengers entering and exiting with nice overhead footbridges and walkways to ensure an orderly manner. I am quite familiar with this station since I regularly get off here if I need to go to shops nearby (with Aintree Retail Park just a few minutes walk away). Plus, when I worked at the National for a few days, the train travel remained well organised by Merseyrail staff instead of the mayhem I was expecting. Staff dealt with those days in the correct fashion and managed to avoid any commotions.

Aintree Station is pretty pleasant as far as train stations go. It looks quite modern and seems…read morewell maintained. It is always clean and tidy. The station is often busy during the daytime, particularly at weekends. The train times are displayed clearly on each platform and there are shelters to protect you from the elements. The addition of a small newsagents and a toilet would be very welcome but otherwise it's a good place.

Knowsley hall is arguably one of the best venues in our humble region that is the northwest…read more Situated inside a measley 2,500 acre privately owned estate, boasting a safari park, inhouse catering, spa and accomodation, you'd be hard pressed to find a more extravagent estate in the region. The venue however is for the majority of time used for special occasions such as weddings and conferences. Although they do hold private events such as tea parties. The grand nature of the Hall obviously dictates its usage for all things opulent. It really is like entering another world as you step inside. One of the many ways of experiencing the delights of Knowsley hall is to book a spa package. Now it isn't exactly cheap; £155 per person, but it does include facial, deep scalp massage, head, neck and shoulder massage with fabulous oils of your choice and use of the hydropool and relaxation area. This is followed by coffee and homemade cakes which will boost your energy and prepare you nicely for what is to come. Post cakes and coffee you will be collected by a personal chauffeur to escort you to Knowsley Hall in style. Here you will enjoy a delicious three course lunch prepared by their fantastic team of Chefs avec une glass of Champagne and wine with your meal in an awe inspiring dining room. After dining you can then walk off some calories in stunning surroundings of the estate grounds, to cap off a memorable experience. All this pampering does come at a cost however as I mentioned and the booking requires a minum of 3 people, so that is forking out a poultry £465 at least. However as I mentioned, yes there are probably cheaper options but then again this particular package does come with the grand background of a historic estate. The only other chance to see the Hall is on 5 occasions a year in August when a £12 ticket gets you a tour of the Hall, so I suggest you get booking.... its round the corner..

If you can afford it - Knowsley Hall would be a fantastic place to get married...hint hint to the…read moreboyfriend! You know what I mean girls! It is absolutely stunning, a breath taking location and 5* Gold standard for accommodation. There is a wonderful long drive which takes you to the front door. I could just imagine being in my wedding dress feeling amazing, with my new husband beside me, hand in hand, being chaffeured up the drive in an old car. Oh yes oh yes, I can keep dreaming. If of course you don't have your wedding at Knowsley Hall, you could always have your hen party there and take advantage of the spa packages. But at the prices of the packages, I think it would definitely have to be a rich hen and rich chickens that go along. I will keep dreaming!