geraldmcgow's Qype profile

There's one key feature of the NEC that earns it the four stars: it's ease-to-get-to.

Going by train is an absolute doddle. Birmingham International station is part of the complex itself and once you get off there you never actually have to experience the "outside world" as you walk easily from platform to show entrance.

I risked driving there once but found it to be an equally simple experience. Once on-site you are guided to a car park area by helpful staff and your route to the show is well-signposted.

It's much older than ExCeL but much, much easier to get to. For everybody.

After spending a good five/six years away from the gym I decided to get back into the routine, signing up at Dave Whelan's DW Sports Fitness in Trafford Park, located in the same massive building that houses the JJB Soccerdome and overlooked by the even-more-massive Chill Factor-e!

The registration process seemed to be really simple. I initially registered online, receiving my confirmation e-mail within 48 hours telling me what I needed to do next.

During your first visit you'll receive your ID card, go through the paperwork and then book yourself your first "orientation". With ID card in hand you are free to start using the equipment or swimming pool right away.

If you have used Technogym equipment or used a gym before you might find the orientation a tad useless unless you want your instructor to cook you up a personal program. Being impatient I was keen to just get going on the equipment; I'm sure others will get more out of it than me.

The staff are superb, by the way. The ones on the counter are very helpful when you come to register and will refer to you by first name when they scan your ID card on each visit (because it comes up on their computer screen!). Little touches like that make all the difference.

If you need to ask a question during your workout there's also plenty of trainers and instructors wandering around the fitness area...

...which is immense. My first visit was on an extremely busy Monday night and I'll admit that I was a bit put off but there was still a piece of equipment for me to use. There's various little side-classes going on and all e.g Cycling 'Spin' sessions if you fancy a brief change of scene.

All-in-all, recommended. It's only 38 quid a month for the Peak membership which is great value if you go at least twice a week.

One FINAL thing I will say is that parking can be a tad difficult on busy nights as the gym shares the same car park as the JJB SoccerDome. If your visit clashes with the arrival of all the post-work five-a-siders then prepare for a bit of a hunt for a space!

Le meilleur mot pour décrire cet endroit est "fonctionnel", particulièrement si vous avez opté pour une chambre "Classique". Personnellement, je trouve que ça vaut le coup de payer 10 euros supplémentaires par nuit pour avoir une "Confort", car la version "Classique" ont l'air d'avoir besoin d'un petit ravalement de façade. Malgré tout, c'était propre et - étant donné l'endroit - étonnemment calme. Le personnel était plus-que-compétent, etc. Je suppose qu'on ne peut pas en demander plus ! Pour ce qui est de la situation de l'hôtel, c'est absolument idéal si vous arrivez en Eurostar, car c'est vraiment à quelques pâtés de maisons de la Gare du Nord.

Questo posto può essere descritto come "adeguato", particolarmente se optate per una stanza "classic". Personalmente, pagherei i dieci euro extra per la versione "comfort" visto che le "classic" hanno bisogno di un restauro. In ogni caso, la stanza era pulita e, anche se in una zona trafficata, tranquilla. Anche lo staff era molto disponibile. Immagino che non si potrebbe chiedere di meglio! Per quanto riguarda la location, è assolutamente ideale se arrivate con l'Eurostar visto che è letteralmente dietro l'angolo dalla Gare du Nord.

Este lugar debería ser descrito como "adecuado", particularmente si optas por la habitación clásica. Personalmente, yo pagaría los 10€ extra por noche para la versión comfort, ya que la clásica parece necesitar algunas mejoras de imagen. De todos modos, estaba limpira y -dada la situación- era sorprendentemente tranquila. El personal fue más que amable. ¡Supongo que no se le puede pedir nada más! En cuanto a la situación, es perfectamente ideal si vienes en Eurostar, ya que está literalmente a pocas manzanas de Gare de Nord.

I've been to two independent, local Spanish restaurants in my lifetime, both of which have been absolutely fabulous: El Rincon in Manchester City Centre and this place.

There's a tapas dish for everybody and if you're not into picking food out of one of those little brown clay dishes, there's an equally impressive range of mains.

But it's the tapas that's the star here, without a doubt. My wife can personally recommend the Gambas Pil-Pil!

Like El Rincon, this place has Spaniards at the helm. You won't find that at your chain establishments.

One small grumble is that it can be a sod to find a decent parking space resulting in a trawl around the side streets of Heaton Moor. However, if you do end up parking 10 minutes away, the walk will be worth it.

I've got to say I was pleasantly surprised with this place.

If you've got the time to have a guided tour around the house then do so; the volunteers are knowledgeable and captivating.

I agree with other reviewers who have said that this might not be the most interesting place for the children. I wouldn't recommend taking them round the guided tour as they'll start to fidget.

Twin it with a trip to Liverpool City Centre and you've got an excellent day out.

Would be 5 stars if it weren't for one thing: it's always so sodding busy!

So, a word of warning: book ahead.

Once you've done that, though, you won't be disappointed with the food, service and range of beers/wines on offer. The Sunday roast is every bit as good as you would expect of a more-than-decent, out-of-town country pub.

Another minor niggle is that the car park is a tad on the small size.

Some may describe it as a "pub" but I'd be more-tempted to say "gastropub".

When you walk in you'll see that the place is divided into two fairly-distinct parts: an area full of plush sofas etc. on the right to have a drink and the bright, airy restaurant area to the left.

The two-course Sunday lunch for £12 is worth a look but if beef, yorkshire pud and all that kinda thing ain't your bag, there's still plenty to choose from, all for a reasonable price.

And it serves Timothy Taylor's Landlord bitter!

Worth the 30-minute car journey from Manchester.

Got persuaded to go in here once; after ten minutes I walked out again. Loud, uncouth…and that’s just the clientele. Not my cup of tea.

I took a walk down Quay Street to The Grapes and the night was saved….