Jan 21, 2026 | Top Stories
It is almost that time of the year when love is in the air, when the romantic spark feels a little bit stronger than usual, and a large number of engagement rings suddenly fly off the shelves at jewellery stores! Yes, it is Valentine’s Day, and there are so many ways that you and your partner can mark the big day in style. As a matter of fact, we can not only provide guidance, but even a location where you and the love of your life can enjoy the most spectacular Valentine’s Day yet!
During the daytime, you could both enjoy a delightful meal in the form of afternoon tea at The Dining Room, our first-class restaurant. Our award-winning afternoon tea will be a Winnie the Pooh inspired theme (starting 13th February), served from midday to 5pm, and the themed menu includes sandwiches, pastries, scones and much more. The Dining Room also offers our Grill Menu, for those looking for a brunch, lunch or dinner setting, facing our manicured lawns and overlooking Royden Park.
Whilst you visit with us, you could both enjoy some exquisite beauty treatments at the on-site Solaia Aesthetics Spa, with a whole range of options to allow for maximum relaxation, including beauty treatments, holisitic and aesthetic treatments.
Perhaps you and your partner are hoping to enjoy some sparkling wine or Champagne as part of the weekend’s celebrations. If so, we recommend our Contessa’s Bar, which has plenty of wonderful beverages for you both to enjoy. We would also suggest taking a slow walk around the surrounding Royden Park to provide peaceful surroundings. Could it even be the prime location for one of you to pop that all-important question?
Of course, the excitement does not have to stop, as we offer gorgeous suites featuring a super king-size bed, a luxury bathroom, and excellent views across the countryside and garden. And if you still want to add a little more to your weekend, why not upgrade to a Full English Breakfast or even a champagne breakfast to round off your Valentine’s celebrations in style.
There is still plenty of time for you to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day, and by speaking to our team, you and your partner can make the most of our fabulous facilities and enjoy the best possible Valentine’s Day!
Jan 21, 2026 | Top Stories
A night of live music is incomparable to any other form of entertainment. Whether you are into pop, rock, R&B, rap, K-pop, country or another genre, the chance to attend a large-scale concert is guaranteed to create everlasting memories. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best concerts that are heading to the North-West this February!
To begin with, we have Florence and The Machine, who are coming to Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Friday 13 February. The tour celebrates the release of Florence Welch’s sixth studio album Everybody Scream, and it is an accurate title, not only for the vocalist but for the concert as a whole. It is an experience unlike any other in music, and we strongly suggest heading along to Liverpool to be a part of it yourself!
If you are looking for something a little different, though, may we suggest checking out Alter Bridge. An American rock band with over two decades of belting hits including Metalingus, Isolation and The Other Side, Alter Bridge have developed a reputation for creating tunes that are powerful, catchy, and emotional. You can discover this for yourself if you head to their concert at Manchester’s AO Arena on Thursday 26 February.
Last but not least, we have a concert at the fantastic Co-op Arena in Manchester for RAYE. Still only 28 years old, RAYE has had a phenomenally successful career and has some of the most memorable hits of the decade. The seven-time Brit Award winner has back-to-back concerts at the Co-op on Tuesday 17 February and Wednesday 18 February.
Whether you plan to rock on or chill out at a concert next month, talk to us and we can make your big night even better! Speak to our reception team for bedroom availability, or drinks and dining bookings. We can also arrange chauffeured travel to/from the hotel for your evening out.
Jan 5, 2026 | Top Stories
The New Year has arrived, and the focus turns to the major events that are on the horizon over the next few months. Chief amongst these is the Grand National, the world’s most famous steeplechase that emanates from Aintree Racecourse every April. It is the most popular horse racing event that you can find, and it is estimated that up to 600 million people watch the main race at the Grand National festival each year.
Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool is always honoured to host the festival, which consists of three days of exciting activities. The first day, Liverpool Day, acts as a welcoming opener, which is particularly enjoyable to those who have never attended the event. The second day, Ladies Day, is a chance for female racegoers to enjoy all the excitement of the festival in a relaxed manner while getting to show off their finest fashion. And then there is the final day, which is highlighted by the 30-fence Grand National race itself!
As you may imagine, tickets for the Grand National (particularly for the third day) can sell out quickly, and there are tens of thousands of punters on hand throughout the festival. This means that it is wise to plan ahead to make sure that the Grand National is a weekend to remember.
We offer relaxing surroundings that contrast with the hustle and bustle of Aintree Racecourse, and our facilities allow racegoers to prepare in style by getting dressed to the nines and sampling our excellent food and drinks before heading onto Aintree. Furthermore, we can arrange travel to Aintree Racecourse, which is especially useful given how busy public transport often is over the course of the weekend.
The 2026 Grand National festival takes place at Aintree Racecourse from Thursday 9 April to Saturday 11 April. For all accommodation and dining bookings, please call our Reception team.
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.
