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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

Guide Mersey Ferries Liverpool

Liverpool’s top 20 places to celebrate Father’s Day

Planning a meal or a day out to big up your dad on Sunday 21 June? Confidential Guides is here...

Updated: 2 June 2026
Guide Bottles of sparkling wine to celebrate at Nord

Celebrate your graduation at one of these Liverpool restaurants

Hats off to the Class of 2026. Celebrate your graduation at one of these Liverpool restaurants.

Updated: 3 June 2026
Place The lounge area at Brysk.

Brysk

Deansgate Therapeutic Services

Brysk is a new, family-run wellness studio off St Ann’s Square that offers high-tech recovery treatments in a calm and...

Place A dessert served at Riva restaurant and bar in Hale, Greater Manchester

Riva

Hale Restaurant - Modern British

Bringing new life to Hale village is relaxed restaurant and bar Riva, which cleverly scoops up trade from morning till...

Article The back of a person walking in the snow in the woods with a bobble hat on.

Snowdrops, sciatica, and cake-stops

In the first of her 'Moving On' columns, Sarah Tierney writes about walking for back pain - and how to make it more enjoyable in winter

Updated: February 19, 2026
Place Afternoon tea in Royal Albert china in a rustic setting at Dunham Barn

The Dunham Barn

Altrincham Cafes

If you’re not in the mood for the National Trust cafe at Dunham Massey, you have a locally-grown option here...

Place Pistachio tartlet displayed in the window with more cakes at Libby's Bread & Wine.

Libby’s Bread & Wine

Marple Cafes

I’ve never seen Libby’s Bread & Wine quiet. It probably never is, except, perhaps, when the bakers arrive at 5am...

Guide Snowdrops in the sun at Castlefield Viadiuct.

4 walks with snowdrops in Manchester (and where to go for cake afterwards)

You don't have to go far to find snowdrops in Manchester - here are our favourite spots including a city...

Published: 17 February, 2026
Guide Dexter beef bavette, black pepper and Delica pumpkin at Skof - which gained its first Michelin star in 2025.

Almost all the winners of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2026

The city's thriving food scene was honoured last night at the 2026 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Here's a...

Published: 27 January, 2026
Article Cathedral interior lit up with rainbow-coloured lights from the Luminescence show.

5 uplifting events in Manchester to take you through to spring

Add some joy to the last few months of winter 2026 with these five uplifting Manchester events, shows and experiences.

Published: 20 January, 2026
Guide Seabass a la plancha served with smoky butter bean and piquillo pepper purée, pan-fried beans, salsa verde, crispy jamón at The Beeswing Wine Bar and Kitchen in Manchester.

5 January dining deals in Manchester worth making plans around

There's a lot of offers out there at the moment but there's also a very comfy sofa waiting for you...

Published: 14 January, 2026
Guide Pasta at Sicilian NQ

12 vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants in Manchester city centre

Plenty of restaurants cater to vegans and vegetarians but many see a plant-based diet as an afterthought. We've chosen these...

Manchester Central
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