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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 Strips of medium-rare ribeye steak with mojo verde at Pilgrim, Liverpool.

Pilgrim

Mossley Hill Restaurant - Spanish

What a journey it’s been so far for Basque-inspired restaurant Pilgrim. After beginning life as a pop-up in Dalston, London,...

Place The terrace outside Cotton in Neptune Mill, Manchester.

Cotton Neptune Mill

Piccadilly Cafes

Add this to your list of places to meet near Piccadilly Station – then make sure you've got Google Maps...

Place The lighthouse on Ynys Llanddwyn, a tidal island off Anglesey.

Llanddwyn Beach (Newborough Beach)

Anglesey Beaches

It's not the nearest beach if you're travelling from Manchester or Liverpool but I can't be the only person who'd...

Place Two cups of iced coffee to takeaway ona blue table at Vibean, Manchester.

Vibean

Manchester City Centre Cafes

Along with Turkey, Italy and Australia, Vietnam is one of those countries where coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s part...

Place Roasted beetroot and goat's cheese tart with various salads at Shepley's Cafe in Glossop.

Shepley’s Cafe

Glossop Cafes

All eyes turn to the Shepley’s Facebook page when Easter approaches, as its small legion of fans eagerly awaits the...

Place Trees, grass and miniature railway tracks at Manor Park in Glossop, on a sunny day.

Manor Park

Glossop Parks & Gardens

With a miniature railway, decent-sized playground, and hopefully soon, a reborn cafe, Manor Park in Glossop has enough going on...

Guide A child standing on a rock in a river.

Shorts on, shoes off: 7 places to go for a paddle this summer

It's not that deep. Seven shallow, child-friendly spots for splashing about in a river.

Published: 22 June, 2026
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...

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