It might be borderline to talk of visiting Liverpool while in marvellous Manchester, but we’re working on the assumption that you aren’t blessed with mountains of time in the north of England. You might not get another chance to visit the city of the Beatles, befuddling accents and dingy tequila bars. Manchester and Liverpool are the estranged twins of the north, to say the least.

The two are also extraordinarily well connected, even without private transport. Trains shuttle between Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street throughout the day, with a number of connections also leaving from Manchester Victoria. If you’re insisting on driving, head west out of Manchester towards the M62 and follow the signs to Liverpool.

Liverpool is a big city, but visitors will be happy to hear that most places of interest are found within the centre and are very walkable. Head to the Albert Dock first of all and give it your complete attention, dipping into the Maritime Museum, Tate Gallery and Beatles Museum if that takes your interest. Liverpool is home to three very curious churches, all fascinating for very different reasons. The Anglican Cathedral is the largest Anglican church on the planet, while the Bombed-Out Church does exactly what it says on the tin. Then there is the Metropolitan Cathedral, a modern building that sort of looks like where the Power Rangers used to meet up with Zordon.

Eating in Liverpool is a pleasure, no matter what you’re looking for. After some fine dining? Check out The Art School Restaurant or The London Carriage Works? Want something incredibly photogenic? Head to Röski. Pub Grub? The Philharmonic has you covered, and the toilets are a thing of genuine beauty. This city comes alive when the sun goes down too, although it can take things to the extreme a little too often. No trip to Liverpool is complete without nipping into Bar CaVa, a tequila bar on Wood Street that has over 30 flavours of tequila, almost 10 times more than it seems to have lights. We absolutely adore the place.

If you’re looking for a day trip when in Manchester, you owe it to yourself to give Liverpool a go. Just don’t tell any of your friends in Manchester that you are making the trip, we aren’t entirely sure how well that will go down…