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Town/City Name
Southport
County
Merseyside
Population
91,703
About Southport
Southport is a resort town in Merseyside, northwestern England. Situated at the center of England’s golf coast, this seaside town boasts spectacular sceneries, pine woods, sand dunes, and exciting leisure attractions.
In Southport’s seafront lies the oldest iron pier in England. It is the country’s second-longest pier, stretching up to 1108 meters across the town’s harbour and extending to the Irish Sea. The pier served as the stage for various performers, including renowned comedian and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. Today, recreational activities in the pier are mostly arcades and amusement rides.
The Formby Beach counts as an ideal spot for picnics and waymarked trails leading to coastal pinewoods and splendid sand dunes. Visitors can also enjoy boat sailing and water-skiing on Southport’s Marine Lake, the biggest artificial leisure lake in the UK.
The first structure in Southport was built for William ‘Duke’ Sutton on Lord Street, the town’s most popular shopping destination today. The one-mile shopping street is a Victorian boulevard brims with teahouses, restaurants, gardens, and other commercial establishments.
Going out in Southport is not just about beaches and water activities. The town has a wide variety of fine dining places to satisfy one’s craving. Ingredients are typically locally produced and sourced. Restaurants in Southport offer a flavourful assortment of British, Mediterranean, Asian, and American cuisines that definitely spells a gratifying culinary journey.
Pubs in Southport are worth exploring with their traditional and exemplary beverages. Among the most popular pubs are located along the stunning and nostalgic Lord Street, a known hot spot for the best cocktails, gins, tonics, ales, and beers.
Southport has three theatres, and plenty of art galleries and museums to wander around while gaining insight to the town’s history and culture. The British Lawnmower Museum features an intriguing collection of mowers and exhibits relating to the art of glass cutting. Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s mower is among the displays in the museum.
Places to eat in Southport, Restaurants in Southport
Places to drink in Southport, Pubs and Bars in Southport
A brief history of Southport
Towards the end of the 18th century, bathing in the sea became a trend among the rich and the prominent, which led to the establishment of resort towns. In 1792, William Sutton constructed a bathing house on the coast near North Meols. Six years later, he founded a hotel in Southport where a community settlement started to grow.
In 1821, the first church in Southport, Christ Church, was built in Lord Street. Shops and inns flourished in time with the progress of the resort businesses. The population of the town also began to increase.
In 1848, the establishment of a railway link to Liverpool turned to Southport’s advantage as a larger number of visitors descended to the seaside town. The railway connection with Manchester was put in place in 1855.
In the 19th century, the Southport Pier earned its reputation as the country’s first “pleasure pier.” It was also among the first structures to be constructed using iron. James Brunlees’ design for the pier was granted a budget of £8,700. The pier was finally opened in 1860.
The UK’s worst lifeboat tragedy happened off Southport’s shores on December 9, 1886. The cargo vessel called Mexico encountered problems while sailing to South America. Southport, St. Annes, and Lytham sent lifeboats in aid of rescue efforts. But in the end, 28 lifeboatmen died in the disaster. Mexico is one of the maritime misfortunes off of the waters of Southsport.
Popular things to do in Southport
- Enjoy amusement rides in Southport Pleasureland - https://www.southportpleasureland.com/
- Visit the Model Railway Village - http://www.southportmodelrailwayvillage.co.uk/
- Try water Southport Marine Lake - https://www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do/southport-marine-lake-p57002
- Marvel at scenic views at the Southport Pier - https://www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do/southport-pier-p92273
- Tour The Atkinson - https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/
Free things to do in Southport
- Play video games at the Silcock's Funland - http://www.silcock-leisure.co.uk/
- Walk around the Hesketh Park - https://www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4871
- Take a stroll in Botanical Gardens - https://www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do/botanic-gardens-p56922
- Spot nesting birds at the RSPB Marshside - https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/marshside/
Great for kids in Southport
- Swim in the pools of Splash World Southport - https://www.splashworldsouthport.com/
- Watch thrilling aerobatics at the Southport Air Show - https://www.visitsouthport.com/airshow/
- Have fun at the Southport Pleasureland - https://www.southportpleasureland.com/
- Build sandcastles in the Ainsdale Beach - https://www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do/ainsdale-beach-p244501
- Go on a picnic at the Victoria Park - https://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/southport-musical-fireworks-2016-winners-11969818
Great for dogs in Southport
- Take a leisurely walk in Ainsdale
- Wander through Blundellsands
- Stop by the Crosby (Hall Road West)
Dog friendly bars
- Heatons Bridge Inn, Scarisbrick
- The Bold Arms, Churchtown
- The Freshfield, Formby
Dog friendly restaurants
- The Hesketh Arms
- The Sparrowhawk
- The Victoria
Did you know?
The sea tide never runs close to Southport’s sea walls, resulting in a wider stretch of beaches around the resort town. The reason behind the town’s shy tide is still a mystery. But on several occasions such as the super moon in 2015, the tide reaches the sea walls.
The hidden gems of Southport
Rotten Row is a quaint street that runs from the junction at the Victoria Way to Weld Road. Despite its name, Rotten Row lies adjacent to Victoria Park and offers views of large herbaceous borders. The street’s restoration is made possible by the efforts of the Friends of Rotten Row (FORR), along with the help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Unique to Southport
Southport holds an annual flower fair called Southport Flower Show. It has been one of the town’s grandest attractions since the annual fair’s humble start in 1924. Happening in Victoria Park every summer, the event showcases the town’s colorful and magnificent flower varieties.
