I learned to fly with Liverpool Flying School in 1997 and would highly recommend.
I used to love the controlled airspace, flying out over Chester and will never forget my first solo on that HUGE runway ... The controller wasn't letting me anywhere near it until a procession of Ryanair and EasyJet had landed.
The cross route was Liverpool to Halfpenny Green (land). Quick brew, then off to Blackpool via Hixon disused and the Manchester low level corridor. Land at Blackpool and back to. Liverpool via Aintree. I'll never forget doing that solo - overtaken by a Jet a Provost in the low level corridor
I've had a big gap in my flying and am (almost) current again. Training at Tatenhill and hope to make the short trip to Hawarden early in 2014 as my mum lives 7 mies from the field and have never flown in there.
Good luck whatever you decide, I'm sure it will all be fun!