Visit Southport!

A trip to the Victorian seaside-resort of Southport can offer the visitor many enjoyable attractions and facilities. With the second longest pier in the UK, the largest man-made sea-water lake, seven championship golf courses including Royal Birkdale, many parks, tree-lined streets and miles of golden sands.

Not to mention the infamous Victorian boulevard of Lord St. – streets in Paris have been modelled on it, that boasts high end shops and ornate shopping arcades.

One of the elegant independent shops on Lord Street

The Atkinson Art Gallery and Media Centre, the new Casino, Theatres, the 24 hour Yacht Race, the National Firework Championships, the Southport Air Show, and the Southport Flower Show all ensure that there is a diverse programme of activities and entertainment.

And for those interested in wildlife, The Hesketh Golf Club links course has the most northerly habitat of the Sand Lizard in the UK. Close by is the large site of RSPB Marshside. Of worldwide scientific interest it harbours not only all sorts of wildlife including Llamas, but birds such as Peregrine, Merlin and Plover, short-eared Owl and several types of birds of prey throughout the year. Bring your bins!

Then there’s the birthplace of Dan Dare of Eagle Comic fame, its first edition in April 1950 – the wooden building (PR8 1JR – up the side lane by Graham Eyes Butchers) still just about stands with a decorative plaque outside. And Churchtown, home to where the first potatoes in the UK were grown (PR9 7LW – by the hillock on the corner), after a trawler from the States capsized and amongst other items, potatoes fell out and grew – yes, the sea at one time came up this far. But not to mention that Southport has gravestones with infamous names such as George Washington, Katherine Cookson, James Bond, Robert Louis Stevenson, and good old Benjamin Disraeli, amongst others….

Every so often the North Meols Civic Society organises a ‘Secret Churchtown’ village walk. It’s free and lasts about two hours. It not only covers those items immediately above but much more, as briefly shown here….

There are many who come to Southport that are interested in the 300 shipwrecks dotted along the shore. Martyn Griffiths, a local radio amateur, gives guided tours at low tide of several of the wrecks. He also gives talks on them. He can be contacted at martyngriff@gmail.com

And of course Southport hosts a wide choice of bars and pubs – The Guest House Public House PR9 0QE on Union Street having won numerous CAMRA awards for its real ales and traditional interior. And just doors away is the best Chinese in town, The Jasmin Tree, awarded Certificate of Excellence over a number of years.

Also, the best traditional Indian, The Belash PR9 0DA on Bath Street, handy for the town centre. You will be amazed at their prices and service!

For accommodation The Waterford Hotel on Leicester Street overlooks the Promenade and beyond, and has been awarded the TripAdvisor 2018 Traveller’s Choice award as one of the best bargain hotels in the country.

The Ramada Plaza Award Hotel. It has its own underground car park

And if you want to splash out, there’s also the exceptional hotel, The Ramada Plaza on the Promenade PR9 0DZ, Best Hotel UK 2017, that overlooks the Marine Lake and is right next door to the Gentry Casino, immediate entry allowed.

Afternoon Tea in V-Cafe at The Vincent Hotel, Lord Street PR8 1JR

No doubt when you visit Southport and use GB3OA on the way, others will give their tips for a great time. Enjoy!