A Trip from London! Exploring Manchester and Liverpool
This time, I went on a 3-day, 2-night trip to Manchester and Liverpool in the UK!
Manchester is about a 2-hour train ride from London and is famous for its football teams 🐝. Liverpool, on the other hand, is a port city located about an hour west of Manchester by train and is renowned as a city of music! Who grew up there? I'll reveal that later 🤭.
[Manchester]
What stands out about Manchester is its modern cityscape and the convenience of being able to walk almost anywhere ☀️. In the heart of downtown, you'll find Manchester Cathedral, an impressive structure with awe-inspiring Sunday bell chimes! Nearby (about a 3-minute walk) is the "National Football Museum," which showcases the history of football, rare trophies, signed jerseys, and various memorabilia 🥰. (I didn't go inside, but according to a friend who did, it's a treasure trove for football fans, and they were absolutely thrilled ⭐️.)
About a 10-minute walk from the downtown center is the "John Rylands Library," which feels like stepping into the world of Harry Potter! This library is free to enter and features exhibits on the history of books and artwork from around the world. There were even some Edo-period Japanese paintings 🥰—try to spot them! The reading and study spaces are vast, and the entire building evokes the dining hall from Harry Potter. It's a must-visit for Potterheads 💭🪄. Be sure to check it out!
When in England, you can't miss afternoon tea 🫖🇬🇧. I recommend a place called Richmond Tea Rooms! The exterior alone is stunning 🤭❤️, inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland—how adorable is that?! They offer a variety of afternoon tea options, so you can choose based on your mood. The tea is, of course, unlimited 🥰. I tried it straight, with milk, and in many other ways! However, this place is very popular, so make sure to book a reservation on their website before visiting ☺️.
[Liverpool]
On the second day, I headed to Liverpool! Liverpool is the hometown of the world-famous Beatles!! The city is filled with traces of the Beatles, and even if you're not a fan, you'll undoubtedly fall in love with the atmosphere. At "The Cavern Club," where the Beatles performed during their early days, volunteers play Beatles medleys on the actual stage ❤️. This club also hosted Queen in the 1970s, and you can see photos and graffiti from that time—don't miss it ☀️.
Walking from the city towards the sea, you'll suddenly come across statues of the four Beatles! Positioned with a view of the entire city from Liverpool Port, these statues attract many tourists taking photos 📸 (of course, I had my picture taken too!). From there, a 5-minute walk along the waterfront will bring you to the "Beatles Museum." This museum is an incredible place where you can learn everything about the Beatles, from their origins to the present day 😊. They even offer Japanese audio guides, so no worries if you're not confident in English 🙆♀️🙆♀️. I only knew their songs before visiting, but learning about their backstory was a truly enriching experience!
While London is the most famous destination in England, a short train ride can take you to cities like these two, each with its own unique charm ❤️. If you ever visit England, why not venture out to these cities as well? 💭