Dec 31, 2025 | Dining & Lounging
There’s something deeply comforting about a roast dinner. The familiar aromas, the moment dishes arrive at the table, and the simple pleasure of sharing good food with good company. At Hillbark Hotel, we’ve taken this much-loved tradition and given it a thoughtful, elegant twist, introducing the Contessa Sharing Roast.
Designed to bring people together, the Contessa Sharing Roast is inspired by the rituals of a traditional Sunday at home. Served at the centre of the table, it encourages guests to slow down, pass plates, and savour the experience.
At the head of the table, a beautifully cooked joint of meat is carved and shared, accompanied by a selection of seasonal vegetables, crisp roast potatoes, rich gravy, and all the classic accompaniments. It’s a familiar, comforting moment, one that mirrors family dining at home… but without the cooking or the cleaning up!
What makes the experience truly special isn’t just what’s on the plate, but how it’s enjoyed. The rhythm of carving, serving, and sharing creates natural conversation and connection, turning a meal into a moment. All of this takes place within Hillbark’s luxurious surroundings, elevated by premium ingredients and attentive service, offering the warmth of a family gathering with the refinement of a five-star setting.
Available every day from midday to 10pm by pre-order, the Contessa Sharing Roast reimagines the Sunday tradition as something to be enjoyed whenever the mood strikes, whether that’s a midweek treat, a family celebration, or a leisurely weekend lunch that stretches into the afternoon.
Served in the elegant surroundings of The Dining Room, this is dining that invites you to linger. To pour another glass. To enjoy one more helping. To stay just a little longer. Because sometimes, the best meals aren’t rushed, they’re shared.
Dec 31, 2025 | Wellness
In a world that rarely slows down, true relaxation isn’t always about grand gestures or full-day escapes. Sometimes, it’s found in quiet moments, thoughtful treatments, and allowing yourself the time to simply feel better. At Hillbark Hotel, this philosophy comes to life through Solaia Spa, a space dedicated to restoration, balance, and wellbeing.
Here, treatments are designed to do more than pamper. Our range of holistic massage therapies focuses on releasing tension, restoring balance, and calming both body and mind. For those seeking visible results alongside wellbeing, aesthetic treatments are delivered with care and expertise, supporting confidence from the inside out. And for moments of simple indulgence, beauty treatments, including manicures and pedicures, offer time to pause and reset.
The ritual begins the moment you step inside. The pace slows. The atmosphere softens. Your only task is to breathe, relax, and be present. Each treatment is tailored, unrushed, and thoughtfully delivered, allowing you to switch off from the outside world and reconnect with yourself.
What makes Solaia Spa truly special is how you feel when you leave. It’s wellness without noise, self-care without pressure, and relaxation without expectation.
Whether you have an hour to spare or an afternoon to dedicate to yourself, Solaia Spa invites you to embrace a new kind of ritual, one that prioritises how you feel long after your treatment ends.
Because sometimes, the most powerful luxury is simply taking time for you.
Dec 31, 2025 | Top Stories
Christmas has come and gone, which can only mean one thing: it’s time to celebrate the New Year! It’s an opportunity to make a fresh start in so many ways. What’s more, there are plenty of fantastic firework displays to be found across the North-West as we say goodbye to 2025 and say hello to 2026!
Starting at Gulliver’s World, one of the most popular children’s fairgrounds in the country is hosting a special fireworks event at 10pm, with further celebrations taking place thereafter. The park has lots of hair-raising rides and colourful characters, making for a unique and memorable location for New Year’s celebrations.
Moving towards Manchester, local residents have not one but two extravaganzas to choose from: St Peter’s Square will host the big fireworks display as the clock strikes midnight, while Albert Square is the host of a quieter but no less exciting affair, with a huge ferris wheel and crafts stores allowing families to have a peaceful conclusion to 2025.
As for the adults? Liverpool is the place to be for a ground-shaking party with plenty of locations hosting their own events. These include Modo, which will feature well-known DJs Les Calvert, Mick McGaw, and Ben Anderson along with fireworks, and the Elephant pub in Woolton, with Mia Molloy providing a live music performance as the final hours tick down to 2026.
Last but not least, we will have plenty of New Year’s celebrations of our own. Contessa Bar will be open all day on 1 January with evening drinks such as champagne, along with nibbles and cups of tea and coffee available. If you are a pet-owner, you can even bring your dog into Contessa’s! Why not take a stroll around the picturesque Royden Park before settling in for a pleasant round of drinks to start your New Year in style?
Whatever your plans may be, we hope to see you having a great time, and we wish everybody a very Happy New Year for 2026!
Dec 31, 2025 | Local
We are halfway into the 2025/2026 season, and Arne Slot’s mighty Reds are back in form. As a result, it is a great time to head to Anfield to watch Liverpool FC in action!
The atmosphere is tremendous, the stadium has hosted so many historic moments, and the excitement is unmatched at any other football venue around the country. Not to mention the wealth of opportunities on-site for tourists, such as stadium tours and the chance to see all of Liverpool’s many trophies from over the years in the official club museum.
If you are heading to Anfield to cheer LFC on, we highly recommend staying with us! We are only a 25-minute drive from Anfield stadium, and you will be surrounded by the beautiful greenery of Royden Park. We also provide the opportunity for an ultimate match day upgrade which involves a luxurious and relaxing experience at a truly iconic country house hotel.
Now, as for when Liverpool are playing at Anfield in the near future? Well, here are the fixtures for the Red Men in January 2026:
- Liverpool vs. Leeds United (Premier League), Thursday 1 January, 5.30pm kick-off
- Liverpool vs. Barnsley (FA Cup), Monday 12 January, 7.45pm kick-off
- Liverpool vs. Burnley (Premier League), Saturday 17 January, 3pm kick-off
- Liverpool vs. Qarabag FK (Champions League), Wednesday 28 January, 8pm kick-off
- Liverpool vs. Newcastle United (Premier League), Saturday 31 January, 8pm kick-off
If you plan to attend one of the above matches at Anfield, we can help your transport needs. We can arrange for you to be collected from the airport if you are flying in from overseas. Alternatively, we also have availability for helicopter landing on the hotel grounds.
In any event, if you are going to Anfield to watch Liverpool FC, speak to our team and we can make sure that throughout your excursion, you’ll never walk alone!
Dec 17, 2025 | Wellness
Saturday 24th January 2026 marks the first Hillbark Hike of the year, and it’s the perfect way to start the New Year with adventure, fresh air, and a friendly fellowship of walkers who love exploring the Wirral’s stunning landscapes.
Rally at the Hillbark Fountain at 10:15 am sharp for the legendary starting line!
The 8-mile loop takes you through:
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Royden Park, with its serene woodlands and open spaces
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The mysterious Heswall Dungeon
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Thurstaston Beach sands (tide permitting!)
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And the climb up Caldy Hill, offering spectacular views
The hike will take approximately 3–4 hours, with rest stops included to keep everyone moving safely. Expect mud, challenging paths, and maybe a few slippery sections, so please dress for adventure and wear appropriate footwear.
Start your trek right by pre-ordering our breakfast deal (bacon bap and coffee/tea for only £10) or enjoy something from our Breakfast Menu. After conquering the trail, reward yourself with a cozy drink, a decadent Afternoon Tea, or a well-deserved snack.
Whether you’re a regular hiker or joining for the first time, the Hillbark Hike is a fun, energising way to kick-start the year. Plus, all hikers enjoy 20% off their next Hillbark visit. We can’t wait to hit the trails with you in 2026!
