'I visited UK's historic port city with Britain's biggest cathedral - why you should too'

is one of those places that simply stays with you. It's a of stories and soul, where every street corner feels like the opening line to a great song. From its legendary docks and stunning cathedral to the just a short drive away, the city has the perfect mix of heritage and heart - and it makes you feel at home from the moment you arrive.

It's also a place of contrasts: historic yet modern, loud yet comforting, divided in but united in spirit. Walk the streets and you'll hear that unmistakable Scouse accent everywhere, and somehow it always seems to make everything sound friendlier. You don't really need to talk much in - the locals will do that for you, and you'll be better off just listening.

The city is full of football culture, and you can feel it in the air. As Liverpool fans proudly celebrate their latest title, their red shirts and chants fill the pubs and parks, while Everton fans keep a quieter pride in their blue, never far from sight.

But despite the football rivalry, there's a shared warmth across the city that makes everyone feel like they belong. No matter where you're from, you won't feel out of place here.

Few places are better on a sunny afternoon than the city's famous docks. The Royal Albert Dock is buzzing with life - people spilling out of cafes, music echoing from open-air bars, and families soaking up the riverside air. It's where the city's history and modern life blend seamlessly.

All of that makes you want to explore, so my wife and I did. I've been to Liverpool before, but she hadn't, and I wanted her to feel what makes the city so special. So we planned a weekend away.

There are loads of places to stay in Liverpool. You've got budget-friendly hotels like HolidayInn and Travelodge where you can book a room for under £100. But if you want something a bit more special, is hard to beat.

It's a new luxury hotel in the Ropewalks area, just a 10-minute walk from Liverpool One and right by the docks. It's close to everything, but once you step inside, it feels peaceful and quiet.

We stayed in the on the top floor. It had everything you could possibly need: a huge private terrace with city views, a freestanding bathtub right in the middle of the room, and a rain shower that you can pre-warm with a button.

There was champagne and wine in the mini fridge, coffee pods, real milk, and even fancy chocolate chip cookies that I couldn't stop eating. The bed was one of the comfiest I've ever slept in.

The whole space felt luxurious but still warm and welcoming. It's a hotel with good looks and humble charm - modern, elegant and full of thoughtful touches. The staff were just as brilliant - friendly, helpful, and always happy to chat.

After settling in, we headed out to explore the docks and the city centre. The Royal Liver Building is a must-see. Along with the Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings, it forms the city's famous "Three Graces" on the waterfront.

After stretching our legs at the docks, we walked to the Liverpool Cathedral, the largest in Britain and the fifth largest in the world. It's free to enter and absolutely worth the visit.

The exterior alone is stunning, and the inside is just as impressive. You really feel the scale of it as you walk through. There's a great gift shop and a cosy cafe inside too. There is also the Tower Experience, which gives you panoramic views from 500ft above sea level.

Later, we headed to Chinatown, home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, to see the stunning Imperial Arch. At 44 feet tall and decorated with 200 hand-carved dragons, it's the largest Chinese arch outside of China. It was a gift to Liverpool from Shanghai.

From there, we strolled to the city centre and ended up back at , where you'll find everything from shops and restaurants to bars and entertainment. One of our highlights was , an interactive darts bar that feels more like a private party than a pub.

We booked an oche, ordered some drinks and spent the next 90 minutes playing fun darts games. You play with digital scoring on screens, music is pumping downstairs, but inside your oche it feels like your own little world.

We also popped into , a hidden gem tucked away near some open green space. The beer garden was chilled and laid-back, perfect for sipping drinks in the sun. The whole area has a brilliant atmosphere - it's buzzy, welcoming, and full of options.

Back at the hotel, we had afternoon tea at , The Halyard's restaurant, and it was the best I've ever had. For £32.50 per person, you get unlimited drinks and a menu packed with local flavours.

The Scouse sausage roll was caramelised, golden and rich. The cheese and chutney sandwich was bursting with flavour - I could eat spoonfuls of the onion chutney on its own. The salt and pepper chicken brioche bun was sensational, with just the right amount of spice and crunch.

Later that day, we went back to for dinner, where you pick two to three small plates each. It's like tapas, but with a Liverpool twist.

The duck breast was smoky, soft and full of depth. The fried chicken with watermelon blew my mind - it was perfectly seasoned, and the sweet melon added a burst of freshness I didn't know it needed.

The mushroom gnocchi with whipped feta stole the show - crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and packed with flavour. The pork belly, chickpea fritters, and parmesan truffle fries were all brilliant. Each dish was exciting and cooked with care.

The next morning, we sat down for breakfast at The Halyard, and it didn't disappoint. You order hot food from the menu - think full English breakfast and eggs benedict. All hot dishes were made to order and were delicious. In the middle of the room was a continental buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, yoghurts, cereal and juices. Everything felt fresh and well thought-out.

After breakfast, we headed to Crosby Beach, just a short drive away. It's open, relaxing and perfect for a walk. You can see Liverpool's skyline from the shore, and there are a few places to stop for an ice cream along the way. It was the perfect wind-down before lunch.

Before heading home, we stopped at in Liverpool One. You'd expect it to be a posh place, but it's lovely and relaxed with a floral beer garden in the centre of Liverpool. It's the kind of place where you don't feel out of place eating chicken wings with your hands. As a matter of fact, it's encouraged with the amount of wipes you get.

The chicken wings were sticky, sweet, and impossible to stop eating. The gazpacho was cold and refreshing, and the Caesar salad had the crispiest lettuce and a bold, punchy dressing.

I also went for the celeriac Wellington, and it completely blew me away. Served with a mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes, it was rich, warming and completely satisfying. My wife, who usually hates celeriac, was left speechless. That dish was a triumph.

Liverpool has it all; culture, character, stunning sights, beaches, brilliant food, and some of the kindest people you'll ever meet. It's a city that feels alive and welcoming at every corner.

If you're planning a weekend away, I can't recommend it enough. And if you're after somewhere special to stay, is in a league of its own.