I visited one of Britain's best villages and watched it come to life before my eyes

Port Sunlight was voted one of the best villages in Britain and has been named as one of the most beautiful places to live in the UK - so it was about time I paid a visit

On a dreary Thursday morning, I embarked on my journey from Bootle to Port Sunlight. Much of the hour-long journey was spent daydreaming, gazing out of the train window and pondering what the village had in store for me.

My only knowledge of it came from picture-perfect postcards, so I wasn't quite sure what to anticipate. 'The next stop is Port Sunlight,' the train announcer's voice jolted me from my reverie. It was time to step into the unknown and familiarise myself with one of the nation's top villages.

Once the train halted, I let my legs guide me without any pre-planned route. I wanted my first experience of Port Sunlight to be spontaneous and to truly absorb the essence of the area.

Standing outside the train station, my attention was instantly drawn to a café across the road. It wasn't the striking architecture or the pair of red phone boxes standing proudly outside (a sight becoming increasingly rare) that caught my eye, but an elderly couple seated by the window.

They were deeply engrossed in conversation, pausing only to take sips of their coffee before diving back into their lengthy discussion.

I was swept up in a wave of optimism as I took in my first view of Port Sunlight. Despite being a newcomer, I could tell that this historic village held a special place in the hearts of its residents - from the couple I spotted through a window to the numerous dog walkers I saw while standing outside the train station. It was clear that Port Sunlight was no ordinary village.

My senses were on high alert as I wandered aimlessly through the village. Having grown accustomed to the constant hum of car engines in Liverpool's bustling city centre, the tranquillity of Port Sunlight was a welcome change.

The only sounds I could hear were the rustling of squirrels darting across fallen autumn leaves and the distant hum of lawnmowers.

As I made my way to the Lady Lever Art Gallery, following the street signs, I had the good fortune to strike up a conversation with a local resident named Roy. He told me: ''I have lived in Port Sunlight all my life, 75 years. You couldn't pay me to move elsewhere. '' As he shared his family history in Port Sunlight, it was evident how much the village meant to him.

He added: ''My dad worked in Lever Brothers Factory for 46 years, he had a house built for him which is where I live now.''

Having a chat with Roy brought this seemingly quiet village to life right before my eyes. It was quite enlightening to discover how much the village means to its locals, it's not just the picturesque village I initially perceived it as.

It's a village rich in history and overflowing with pride.

Roy mentioned something that really emphasised the close-knit community I had found myself in. He shared with me, ''I have three siblings and we all stayed here (Port Sunlight). The other two only moved away for work purposes."

As I continued my exploration, I came across many of the attractions I had seen signposted. Port Sunlight Museum, Port Sunlight Garden Centre and SoapWorks were among them.

Although I would've loved to visit all the attractions available, I was particularly on the lookout for The Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Upon spotting the gallery from afar, I took a moment to appreciate the architecture of the building, which was a piece of art in itself. However, nothing could've prepared me for the immense beauty hidden within its walls.

I arrived just after 11am, and it felt like I had the entire gallery to myself. The only sounds were my own footsteps and the occasional whisper from nearby rooms.

I had the freedom to wander each room at my leisure, just me and the art. I had the opportunity to admire each exhibit as I wished, without anyone hovering over me or obstructing my view.

I lost track of the number of stunning collections I came across during my visit.

As the gallery started to fill up, I decided to venture out and explore new parts of the village. That's when I bumped into Gillian, another Port-Sunlight resident.

Gillian was outside her house as I strolled by, turning towards me to comment: ''The sun has finally come out. '' After a brief chat about the weather, I mentioned that it was my first time in Port Sunlight.

She immediately offered to share some history about her home, which she clearly took great pride in.

''These are the original floorboards from when the house was first built, I usually keep slippers in the kitchen for people to walk across them,'' Gillian said, gesturing towards her living room floor. I felt like I had stepped directly into a piece of Port Sunlight history right then and there, standing on the original flooring of one of the first homes.

Gillian was adamant about preserving the house's appearance, even its interior. She stated: "It's important to keep the house the way it is, no way I'm going to cover it. I have lived here 15 years now and not much has changed. ''.

Every turn seemed to reveal a new piece of history. Each home in Port Sunlight has its own unique and captivating story.

I was fortunate to get a glimpse of just one.

Port Sunlight is a place that has plenty to shout about. The meandering paths leading to open fields and lush woodland seemed infinite.

Following one of the many trails, I stumbled upon a stunning bridge that held a significant position in the village. A quick Google search revealed it to be the Grade II listed 'Dell Bridge'.

This bridge wouldn't look out of place if it were nestled in Central Park.

The resilience of this village in withstanding the test of time was evident. It felt as though I had embarked on a brief journey into the past.

Everything I observed, from the houses to the iconic bridge and museums, had been viewed by those who came before me, and will likely be admired by those who follow.

My trip to Port Sunlight was unforgettable. Not for the sights I witnessed, but for the individuals I conversed with and their tales.

There's more than meets the eye in this modest village. It's a unique sanctuary, and I won't be a stranger.