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Sarah Tierney, editor of Confidential Guides.

Sarah Tierney

Editor

Summary

Sarah Tierney is the editor of Confidential Guides and one of its main writers. She has over 20 years of experience as a journalist and copywriter, covering restaurants, bars, hotels, travel, fitness, culture and things to do in the North of England, particularly Manchester and Liverpool. She has also written two novels which are published by Bloodhound Books.

Experience

Sarah writes across Confidential Guides producing guides, reviews and features. Her work spans independent neighbourhood spots, major city openings, and regional hotel stays, with a focus on clarity, practicality and genuine experience.

Areas of Expertise and Interest

Food, drink, and things to do across Manchester, Liverpool, and the wider North of England including:

  • Restaurants and dining
  • Bars, cafés and hospitality venues
  • Hotel stays and city breaks
  • Seasonal and themed activities and days out
  • Fitness and wellness
  • Independent shops

Review Approach

Sarah’s recommendations are informed by first-hand visits and independent editorial judgement. She assesses venues based on overall experience — including food, service, atmosphere and value — with the aim of giving readers a good sense of what to expect and whether it’s right for them. Her work highlights new openings, established favourites and lesser-known venues, with the aim of helping readers discover places worth visiting.

Editorial Transparency

Confidential Guides (part of Confidentials) is independently written by our editorial team. While premium listings are paid-for, they are not written by or approved by clients, ensuring unbiased and independent coverage.

Author Posts

Place The front window of Marbu - a vintage shop in Manchester's Northern Quarter

Marbu

Northern Quarter Clothing

Depop hit Marbu Vintage was an appointment-only studio on Oxford Road until winter 2025 when owner Martha Burns opened this...

Place The exterior of The Abbey in Hulme.

The Abbey

Hulme Pubs

The Abbey - formerly The Old Abbey Taphouse - is back open in Hulme. And it’s in the capable hands...

Place A wooded hillside in the Goyt Valley.

Goyt Valley

Buxton Countryside

There’s something magical about the Goyt Valley - a long, secluded stretch of reservoirs, hills and moorland between Buxton and...

Place Torr Vale Mill and the Millennium Walkway in New Mills.

Millennium Walkway and Torrs Riverside Park

New Mills Countryside

Take the train from Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central then follow the footpath leading off Station Road. You’ll soon...

Place Looking towards Kinder Scout from Mill Hill in the Peak District at sunset.

Kinder Scout

Hayfield Countryside

It’s one of only two official mountains in the misleadingly-named Peak District - and many people (myself included) would say...

Place The seaweed salad at Sticks'n'Sushi Manchester.

Sticks’n’Sushi Manchester

Spinningfields Restaurant

Let’s think of two really on-trend, cool countries and combine them into one hit restaurant concept. That isn’t how Sticks’n’Sushi...

Guide These are Confdiential Guides' best sports bars in Manchester.

Pubs and bars showing the World Cup 2026 in Manchester

Working out your World Cup plans? Here's our list of pubs and bars showing it in Manchester

Updated: 15 June 2026
Guide A crowd watching an England football match on a big screen at AO Arena.

Where to watch the World Cup in Manchester: the fanzones

Five World Cup fanzones in Manchester to book before football fever hits

Published: 26 May, 2026
Place A DJ and crowd at Africa Oye festival in Liverpool.

Africa Oye

Sefton Park Festivals

For two days every June, Sefton Park becomes the epicentre of African music and culture in the UK. Africa Oye...

Place A lady with her arms outstretched in the crowd at Creamfields festival in Cheshire.

Creamfields

Daresbury Festivals

Held over three beats-packed days and nights over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Creamfields is one of the world’s biggest...

Place

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Oxford Road Hotel

If you want to stay somewhere that's luxurious and glamorous - but also distinctly Mancunian, this has to be the...

Article Looking up at the tower of the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on a sunny day with flags flying over the door.

My child-friendly city break at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Sarah Tierney discovers family-friendly glamour at this Oxford Road icon - and shares her top places to go in Manchester with a tween.

Published: 22 April, 2026
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