These days, visitors come to Southport to enjoy an authentic and historic seaside town, indulging in the many family activities on offer. Blowing away the cobwebs with a walk along the front, indulging in some hearty fish and chips, and visiting the beautiful Kings Gardens are all popular pastimes. It’s like you’ve been transported back in time, but equally, Southport is bang up-to-date, with modern shopping facilities, a great dining scene, and some fantastic accommodation options.
Southport boasts 22 miles of beautiful beaches along the Sefton Coastline, which you should make time to explore, and the other jewel in its crown - its kilometre-long iron pier - offers unbeatable views back over this pretty, and eminently explorable, beach town.
Experience Southport’s Beaches
Southport Beach
Southport beach has plenty to offer visitors. Large and flat with golden sands in places, and with hide-and-seek-worthy sand dunes in others, there is a beach style to suit everyone here. With opportunities to spot a multitude of birds and animals, Southport beach will appeal to wildlife fans, and with the unusual rule that cars can park on certain parts of the beach, it’s easy for families to set up camp. Bring a bucket and spade and a picnic, and you’re guaranteed a great day.
Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ in Crosby
Drive a few miles south from Southport and you’ll arrive at Crosby beach, another local favourite in these parts. Home to the famous Antony Gormley art installation ‘Another Place’, a striking 100-piece collection of life-size sculptures spread scross 3km of beach and 1km out to sea. You can climb on them, take a selfie, or just stand back and soak up the impressive scene. This permanent open-air art gallery has been drawing in crowds since its inception in 1997.
Indulge your inner ornithologist at Marshside RSPB
RSPB Marshside is easily accessible from the centre of Southport, and is an important wetland site, with each season bringing unique wildlife spotting opportunities. There’s a varied landscape, with 155 hectares of coastal grassland and pools, plus 230 hectares of salt marsh. There are ample hides for birdwatching, or you can just take a walk and enjoy the estuary views. You can expect to see a range of birds, from lapwings and African swallows in the spring to autumn’s pink-footed geese, and occasionally, falcons.
Promenade down Southport Pier
Southport is home to the oldest iron pier in the country, a Grade II listed structure in place for over 150 years. At a full kilometre in length, Southport Pier is also the second longest pier in the country, and if you follow the pier right to the end, you’ll be rewarded with views of Blackpool, or even the North Wales coast on a clear day. If you don’t fancy walking, a tram runs the entire length of the pier, and after your short trip, you can enjoy a cup of tea, learn about Southport’s history in the tiny museum, or play on the vintage penny slot machines at the Pier Pavilion.
Enjoy the attractions at Kings Gardens
Southport’s 17-acre Kings Gardens are one of the town’s most popular haunts during the summer months. With loads of activities to keep kids amused, and a lovely atmosphere for adults to enjoy, add this to your list of things to do while visiting Southport.
Marine Lake
Marine Lake is a mile-long body of water taking up much of Southport’s Victorian waterfront. There are all kinds of water-based activities to enjoy here, including taking a trip on a converted lifeboat, or even on a speedboat. To keep it more serene, you can also hire rowing boats, swan pedaloes or aqua bikes.
Miniature Golf
Everyone loves a game of mini-golf, and Kings Gardens has Southport Crazy Golf, a course that’s suitable for players big and small. Run by a family outfit since 1965, this was the first course of its kind to be built in the UK. With fun obstacles like a windmill, helter-skelter, and a lighthouse, the 18-hole course is a challenging but entertaining way to spend an hour or two in Southport.
Lakeside Miniature Railway
Another family favourite in Kings Gardens is the Lakeside Miniature Railway. Kids with a penchant for trains will absolutely love jumping on board the tiny petrol-fired engine, as it chugs on its 15-inch gauge rails along the 1.4km line between Kings Gardens and Ocean Plaza at Pleasureland.
Have some unusual fun at the British Lawnmower Museum
The British Lawnmower Museum may not immediately spring to mind as a fun day out, but this quirky Southport attraction is surprisingly popular and receives fantastic feedback from people who visit. This is the go-to for worldwide antique lawnmower knowledge and is home to over 300 beautifully restored examples of garden machinery, including lawnmowers that once belonged to Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as other British celebrities Bryan May, Eric Morecambe, and Alan Titchmarsh.
Soak up some culture at The Atkinson Arts Venue
The Atkinson is Southport’s premier arts destination, supporting the region’s theatrical, musical, historical and literature-based pursuits. Its 19th-century buildings on historic Lord Street have been refurbished in order to offer visitors a truly contemporary experience - and that’s exactly what you can expect. There are permanent and visiting exhibitions, including the fascinating Egyptology Gallery, and a full programme of talks and shows in the venue’s theatre.
Enjoy the thrills and spills of Southport Pleasureland
Southport Pleasureland has long been one of the town’s most popular attractions and draws visitors from many surrounding towns and cities. With over 50 rides and attractions to enjoy, this is a full-day experience. There are plenty of gentle rides for the smaller members of the family, and some that are altogether more scary, where you’ll be flung about in the tradition of all the best fairground rides. If the rides don’t appeal, there are plenty of fairground attractions to enjoy such as caricature-painting, basketball, face paints, and the nostalgic favourite, hook-a-duck. There’s also a touring park where you can stay if you want to be right in the heart of the action.
Visit Churchtown’s Botanic Gardens
A pleasant 2-mile walk from the centre of Southport will bring you to Churchtown, a suburb whose main draw is its Botanic Gardens. A long-standing attraction, the gardens first opened their doors in 1874. Year on year, they continue to delight visitors with their dazzling floral displays. There’s a Victorian fernery and an aviary to explore, plus a cafe to rest and replenish and a gift shop where you can pick up a souvenir to remember your visit.
Indulge in some shopping
Victoria Lord Street
Lord Street is easily Southport’s most famous street, cutting through the heart of the town at a parallel to the waterfront. On either side of this attractive street you’ll find shops, cafes and bars decorated with Victorian canopies, making for a pleasant shopping experience whatever the weather. There are attractive gardens alongside the street’s designer stores and historic cafes, which make for a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by. The Wayfarers Shopping Arcade is also on Lord Street, a fantastic old arcade from the late 1800s with a domed glass roof and elaborate decoration that’s home to over 30 shops and restaurants.
Wesley Street
The pastel-hued Wesley Street is easy to miss, but worth seeking out. Lined with quaint cottage-style shops, this is Southport’s independent zone, where you’ll find a range of more unusual shops to hunt out unique gifts and souvenirs. There’s a real sense of community here, and there are regular street events throughout the year, like the Wesley Street Festival and Movember celebrations.
Take a stroll around Hesketh Park
Recently undergoing a £3 million restoration project, Hesketh Park is better to visit now than it has ever been. Like all good parks, there are ample scenic sitting spots to while away the hours people-watching or plant spotting. But what makes this park stand out is its observatory, A gift from noted astronomer Joseph Baxendale on his death, the Fernley Meteorological Observatory and its Cooke telescope regularly open up to members of the public, so they can access and appreciate this historical landmark.
Play a round at Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club
Set in the dunes surrounding the town is the Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, a scenic course designed by golfing master James Braid. The course was opened as part of the early 19th century’s golfing boom when demand for this now-ubiquitous sport was outstripping supply. Two Ryder Cups have been hosted here and the course is a permanent fixture in the Top 100 lists of British golf courses. Non-members are welcome to visit the club and play a round.
More Things to Do In Southport
Activities for Families
- There’s something eminently nostalgic about visiting an amusement arcade and Silcock’s Funland in Southport is a great opportunity for traditional family fun. Try your luck on the slots, win some tokens on the amusements, or master the latest video games. There are plenty of rides for the little ones, as well as a cafe and a fish and chip shop to keep energy levels high.
- Pontin’s fits well into the ethos of Southport, offering old-school family activities with a modern twist. Join the blue coats for a holiday filled with laughter, entertainment, and good old-fashioned fun. Pontins Southport has an indoor swimming pool, go-karting and a bouncy castle centre. And best of all, it’s only minutes from the heart of Southport.
- Tenpin Southport is an ever-popular bowling venue in Southport’s waterfront area that offers fun for all the family even when the sun is hiding - and let’s be honest, this is pretty likely to happen during a British seaside holiday. Laser tag, pool tables, and arcade games are also onsite if you’re looking to extend out the fun.
- Southport has some amazing annual events, including Southport Flower Show and Southport Air Show. But one of the best, and most exciting for families, is the British Musical Fireworks Championship, which is held in Southport each year in late summer. It’s a hotly contested show, with the country’s premier firework display teams choreographing astonishing displays all set to music that’s piped around the waterfront area. It’s a great atmosphere and well worth making a special trip here to see.
- An unmissable train-themed attraction in Southport is the Model Railway Village, located in Kings Gardens. Children are fascinated by the 1:18 scale miniature trains that traverse the Lancashire-inspired town and village scenes created within the Railway Village. This charming attraction is celebrating its twenty-fifth year in 2021, and the popularity of the 1.5-acre park is showing no signs of waning.
Best Places to Eat
- For a traditional afternoon tea experience, we recommend Westminster Tea Rooms. Visiting a new place is all about indulgence, and this is Southport’s top-rated tea room where you can do just that. Enjoy the traditional and elegant surroundings knowing you’ll leave feeling satisfied and pampered.
- Open since 2009, Bistrot Verite combines fine French cuisine with a friendly family-run atmosphere, right in the heart of Southport. Making the most of delicious, seasonal (and local) produce, with menus that change daily, this is somewhere fit for the most special of occasions.
- Another top-ranking eatery in Southport is the Great Himalayas Nepalese Restaurant & Bar, which serves up the more unusual Nepalese style of cuisine. Run by owners from the Himalayas, you can be sure the food is authentically prepared and by all accounts, it will also be delicious.
- Gino and Lisa run the informal Bistrot Bar Med, which specialises in Mediterranean dishes, tapas and meze. Hosting regular themed nights, like Turkish Belly Dancing and Beatles nights, this is often voted as the best restaurant in Southport - why not pop in and find out why?
- Selling itself as Southport’s finest fusion restaurant, Twelve is a Portuguese-influenced restaurant offering a comfortable mix between fine dining and informal surroundings. Serving up some fantastic fish and seafood options, this is a popular place, so try to book ahead if you can.
FAQs
What’s Southport like to visit?
Southport is a lovely old-fashioned seaside resort that has maintained the best of its traditional past while embracing the modern facilities demanded by today’s visitors. You can choose to enjoy the many gardens and parks, the family-friendly attractions near the seafront, or explore the town’s varied shopping options. An unmissable attraction is the kilometre-long Southport Pier.
Are dogs allowed on Southport beach?
Although large parts of Southport’s beaches are dog-friendly, there are certain areas with restrictions during the busier summer season which runs from 1 May to 30 September. At this time, dogs are not allowed:
- from Southport Pier to Pleasureland, a stretch of 555m, as well as to the tide line.
- Ainsdale Beach is dog-free for 200m each way from the entrance to the beach, as well as to the tide line.
