Jan 5, 2026 | Local
Have you had an opportunity to attend an Everton football match at their brand new home, the Hill Dickinson stadium? The Toffees have settled into their 52,000 seater stadium, and fans agree that a day out in Bramley Moore is a memorable experience for Evertonians young and old.
The stadium was a multi million-pound project that was many years in the making. As emotional as it was for local Everton fans to wave goodbye to Goodison Park, the stunning architecture and authentic scenery of their new ground make the Hill Dickinson Stadium a real hit with supporters. Not to mention a recent uptake in form, as well as exciting new signings, such as Jack Grealish. As David Moyes guides the Blues up the table, the future looks bright for Everton!
With plenty of Premier League and FA Cup games to come this season, therefore, you may be thinking about paying a visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium yourself. If that’s the case, and especially if you are travelling from outside the North-West, why not stay with us. We are a 25-minute drive from Everton’s new stadium, and what’s more, we can provide an exclusive match day upgrade, which includes the luxury of a thoroughly relaxing stay at a landmark country house hotel.
If you are planning to drop by the Hill Dickinson Stadium, these are the upcoming matches for the Boys in Blue in January 2026:
Everton vs. Sunderland (FA Cup), Saturday 10 January, 12.15pm kick-off
Everton vs. Leeds United (Premier League), Monday 26 January, 8pm kick-off
There has never been a better time to make the journey into Liverpool city centre to cheer on Everton Football Club. To make a hotel booking, please call our Reception team so we can assist you.
(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jan 5, 2026 | Top Stories
Christmas has come and gone, and we have celebrated New Year’s, which means it’s back to normal business. But if you are still looking for activities, there are plenty of events going on all over the North-West, and Manchester is just one of the cities which has plenty to offer throughout the month of January.
For starters, there is an exclusive exhibition at Aviva Studios for anybody interested in astrology. The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks sees the legendary Hollywood actor provide a narration of a unique experience which offers a new perspective on humanity and what future space travel may look like. The exhibition runs until Sunday 11 January, so time is running out for you to take one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind!
Perhaps you are looking towards the theatre scene in Manchester. If that’s the case, then we can recommend two excellent shows that are gracing the stage of the Palace Theatre this month. First up, there is Six, based on Henry VIII’s six wives, which runs from Tuesday 13 January to Saturday 17 January. This is followed by The Bodyguard, based on the classic movie, which runs from Monday 19 January to Saturday 31 January.
Or maybe you have an eye on the Manchester music scene. We would recommend you take a trip to Co-op Live, the city’s newest multipurpose arena that has several major concerts on the January schedule. These include Biffy Clyro on Saturday 17 January and All Time Low on Friday 23 January.
If you do plan to take a visit to Manchester for an exhibition or entertainment event, make sure to contact our team. By staying with us, you can enjoy peaceful surroundings and a good night’s sleep after an exciting day or evening out in one of the country’s biggest cities. We can also arrange transportation to and from Manchester for you and your guests. Call our Reception team for availability and more information.
Jan 5, 2026 | Top Stories
The next major event on the calendar is Valentine’s Day, which comes around every February 14. At Hillbark, we believe romance isn’t about grand gestures alone, it’s found in meaningful moments, shared experiences, and the details that make time together feel special.
Often, the most romantic way to celebrate is by returning to where it all began. It could be a particular activity, it could be a familiar memory, or a shared laugh from an inside joke. Whatever it may be, use this as a chance to rekindle memories of when it all began as a reminder of the true love that will lead you both into the future together!
Romance also lives in the simplest of gestures. A favourite chocolate. Flowers chosen with care. Dressing up, even if just for each other. Valentine’s Day is about emphasising the strong connection that you both have.
For those looking to escape the everyday, a romantic retreat offers the perfect setting. Set within the peaceful surroundings of Royden Park, Hillbark provides space to slow down and reconnect. Enjoy a gentle walk through the park, unwind with tailored treatments at Solaia Spa, share a dining experience in our 2 Rosette Dining Room or over a carefully curated Tasting Menu in The Cellar. As the evening draws in, Contessa’s Bar offers an intimate space to enjoy a quiet drink and simply be together.
As you begin to plan your Valentine’s celebration, our team would be delighted to help create an experience that’s just right for you, one that feels indulgent and truly memorable.
Call our Reception to enquire for availability for accommodation, dining and spa bookings.
Jan 5, 2026 | Top Stories
It’s a New Year, which means a chance to explore new opportunities. And in the city of Liverpool, there are so many things happening which justify a visit to the city for the biggest of occasions. These are just some of the events that you should keep an eye on in Liverpool during January 2026.
For instance, if you are heading to Liverpool from a business perspective, then you may be interested in attending the British Accounting & Financial Association (BAFA) FMI SIG Annual Conference, which is being held at Liverpool John Moores University from Thursday 8 January to Friday 9 January. The conference is a fascinating exploration of the current economic landscape as we slowly venture into the first month of the year.
If you are more intrigued by the idea of studying local history, then we would recommend that you check out the Toxteth: Harlem of Europe exhibition at Victoria Gallery & Museum at the University of Liverpool. This is a retrospective look at Toxteth’s most notable black musicians from the 1950s and 1960s, and their lasting legacy on the city’s music scene.
Perhaps you are looking at attending a live show, in which case Liverpool absolutely has you covered! There is Uptown Girl – The Billy Joel Collection, which comes to the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday 10 January. Then, there is the major stage show of the month, Mary Poppins, which comes to the Empire Theatre from Wednesday 14 January to Saturday 31 January. And then there is the variety show Dancing In The Aisles, which comes to the Epstein Theatre on Sunday 25 January.
Ahead of your visit to Liverpool, we recommend getting in touch with our team. By staying with us, you can have a relaxing stay, and as we are only a 25-minute drive from Liverpool, we can arrange transport to get to you to and from your chosen event.
However you choose to spend your month, we hope you have a memorable start to the year.
