day trips

Manchester v Liverpool: A tale of two cities

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A visit from my photographer and blogging friend Kiki saw us take two photography walks around two great British cities over two days.

My home city Manchester was closely followed by a trip to Liverpool on a couple of chilly December days, mainly peering up at architecture.

Is it possible to compare the two cities? Is one more photogenic than the other?… CONTINUE READING BELOW

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What was Kiki’s take on Manchester and Liverpool? Find out here

Our wander around Manchester city centre was extensive, taking in everything from the industrial red brick of Ancoats to New Jackson’s gleaming skyscrapers.

Of course this was very familiar territory for me, although accompanying a visitor alters your vision and perspective.

It was all very different in Liverpool which isn’t very familiar to me. I also became a tourist and allowed my eyes to be drawn to majestic buildings, from the iconic old Liver Building to a good dose of Art Deco magnificence.

Christmas tree lit up at night in Manchester city centre.

Season’s greetings to all from Manchester city centre’s Christmas tree

I’d say that if you’re heading to Manchester, you’ll be spoilt for choice with new and tall buildings which have rocketed up during the past decade.

The parts of Liverpool city centre we walked around are full of grand, traditional architecture – but it’s a place that needs further exploration. Comparisons to my own adopted home city are tricky to make.

So is Manchester more photogenic than Liverpool? I couldn’t possibly comment. It’s best to visit north-west England and spend time in both its great cities. Just take a camera and keep looking up!

Do you have stronger opinions? Let me know!

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Montenegro: Kotor day trip

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This is the beach getaway to Spain that turned into a break in the small Balkan nation of Montenegro.

I stayed in the historic town of Perast on scenic Boka Bay, and a trip to nearby Kotor was an obvious way to spend a day.

Was this old city worth a visit? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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The journey from Perast to Kotor took half an hour on one of the regular local buses, costing a princely €2 each way.

As soon as I walked into the old town, it lived up to all my expectations.

Honey-coloured stone, small piazzas with churches and bell towers, and a labyrinth of alleyways studded with small shops and cafes were vying for attention.

Raise your eyes up a little further to see the cloud-topped mountains that tower above this old architecture, while the town is incredibly feline-friendly and a place to watch locals going about their lives.

It’s a tourist magnet and welcomes cruise liners, so expect these well-worn streets to get busy as they did even at the start of April. Arriving early and avoiding the summer months might be a wise move.

The old fortress high above the town of Kotor in Montenegro.

You might find yourself high above Kotor

Getting away from the city is a big part of its charm – if you’re feeling energetic you can climb above the old town to the tune of 1,350 steps, visiting the old fortress for stunning views over Kotor and the bay.

I think that going down can be trickier, but was glad to land back in the old town where there are no shortage of places for refreshment and to rest your legs.

As I returned to Perast, I wondered what it would be like to stay within Kotor’s walls and see it by night. I think my smaller base was the more tranquil option.

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Morecambe: Blue and white

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When summer comes to the UK, you have to visit the coast. On a sunny day recently, I took a train from Manchester to Morecambe, a Lancashire seaside resort.

Have a look at the photographs, then read more below and let me know your impressions of Morecambe.

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The town sits on the edge of Morecambe Bay, a sweeping arm of the Irish Sea that stretches to neighbouring Cumbria.

This coastal setting is a pleasure to wander around – even when the sunshine is accompanied by a brisk, chilly breeze! I also explored the town’s West End area, where some of the buildings could use a little tender loving care.

But my favourite piece of architecture by far is the Midland Hotel, an Art Deco gem opened in 1933 and reopened in 2008. Curvy, elegant and whitewashed, it’s hard to ignore.

The standout Midland, along with fluffy clouds peppering a blue sky, seemed to be inescapably attractive that day.

Do you ever come home with a set of photographs where there is a distinct colour scheme?

The gleaming white Art Deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe against a blue sky

The Midland Hotel gleaming against a blue sky

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A wonderful Yorkshire wander

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Yorkshire is just a hop from Manchester, and I took a day trip to explore the scenic Calder Valley. CONTINUES BELOW

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The thriving canalside town of Hebden Bridge appears at first glance to be traditionally Yorkshire but is filled with lovely little independent shops and cafes, making it a real draw for visitors.

It is also home to a sizeable LGBT community, making it an unexpected place to find rainbow flags proudly flying and gay friendliness.

I decided to take an uphill hike to the village of Heptonstall, enjoying delightful views of Hebden Bridge and surrounding countryside as I climbed.

Historic Heptonstall is a beautiful little place of dark stone cottages, but most famed for its shell of a church which was abandoned in 1847 after a devastating storm. A new church was built next door. The ruins still feel oddly alive.

I got so caught up in this abandoned building that I forgot to visit the grave of poet Sylvia Plath. Next time…

The visit ended with a hearty pub lunch and getting caught in a sudden shower of rain. I would return to this area and heartily recommend it.

Have you visited Hebden Bridge? Why not share your impressions below.

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Clitheroe: A castle and sausages

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Clitheroe is an ancient Lancashire town with a castle, great views – and famous sausages. I visited recently armed with my camera. CONTINUES BELOW

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It took me around an hour by train to reach Clitheroe from Manchester, which sits at the heart of Lancashire’s picturesque Ribble Valley.

The town is dominated by its compact castle keep, and climbing up there will reward you with good views of the surrounding countryside, and also well-kept grounds to amble around.

Clitheroe is a decent size to explore on foot and I even took the time to find a ginnel – a Lancashire alleyway at the back of houses – and a typical line of terraces.

You have to pay a visit to Cowmans, a well-known sausage seller with a bewildering array of varieties. That was tea sorted for a few nights!

View of church and factory smoke in Clitheroe, Lancashire

Clitheroe’s cement factory emits a plume of smoke over the town

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