Top 10 Things To Do In Southport, England

1. Take a stroll on the famous Southport Pier

Considered to be the second-longest pier in the Great Britain, Southport Pier offers splendid views of the north west England, as well as of the seaside town of Blackpool located nearby. The pier is 1 km (0.6 mi) in length, which means it is a pretty long walk. For those feeling lazy, the pier tram is available to take you to the end of the pier. You can enjoy a refreshing cup of tea at the pier pavilion while reading up on the history of Southport and playing penny slot machines. At the pier’s entrance is Silcocks Funland, a funfair for the whole family with rides and games.

Southport Pier

Address: Promenade, Southport, UK

Website: Southport Pier

Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (daily)

2. Have loads of fun at Southport Pleasureland

Keeping with funfairs, Southport Pleasureland is loads of fun. The park has numerous rides to suit all ages. These include the Apple Coaster, Balloons, Bungee Trampolines, Canoes, the Carousel, Dodgems, the Ghost Train and the Dock Funhouse, to name a few. A variety of other activities are also available, including Basketball, Face Painting and Caricatures, the Maze, and a miniature railway. There are concession stands around the park, offering food and drink to keep you going.

Southport Pleasureland

Address: Marine Dr, Southport PR8 1RX, UK

Website: Southport Pleasureland

3. Explore the beautiful Hesketh Park

Hesketh Park is a Victorian park and one of the largest in the town. You’ll find Victorian ornate fountains and lush gardens here, besides nature trails, a lake, and a children’s playground. Numerous species of wildlife can also be spotted here. Among the gardens to see in the park are the Clock Garden, the American Garden, the Specimen Garden, the Mixed Flower Garden and the Herbaceous Walk. Amenities include a gift shop, restrooms and a restaurant/café, where meals and snacks are available.

Hesketh Park

Address: 17 Park Cres, Brentwood Ct, Southport PR9 9JN, UK

Website: Hesketh Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Be a kid again at Southport Model Railway Village

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Not just for children, Southport Model Railway Village is intriguing to the whole family. It’s a miniature village with model trains, windwills and other fun attractions for people of all ages. It is possible to stay in the village all day, and follow the model trains as they meander through the miniature landscape. There are benches around the park, where you can relax and enjoy a picnic. A tea shop is available, with restroom facilities.

Southport Model Railway Village

Address: King’s Gardens, Lower Promenade, Southport PR8 1QX, UK

Website: Southport Model Railway Village

5. Soak up the sun and sea at Southport Beach

Southport Beach offers the chance to relax on the sand, take a paddle in the waves or explore the Southport Pier, while enjoying coastal views along the way. For those feeling especially energetic, the long sandy beaches stretch for 35 km (22 mi) across Sefton and pleasant strolls can be had at the nearby dunes. The beach is convenient for car parking and is a short walk away from the Southport town center that is dotted with shops, restaurants and other attractions.

Southport Beach

Address: Promenade, Southport PR8 1SB, UK

Website: Southport Beach

Opening hours: 24 hours

6. Catch a show at The Atkinson

The Atkinson is a multi-purpose, historic building in Southport, offering a variety of attractions. Among the live shows are the Evolution Comedy Club, Grateful Freds at The Atkinson with acoustic music, Cake and Classical Music events, and the Southport Film Guild. Fine art can be seen on display, dating from the 17th to the 21st century. History displays include the Goodison Egyptology Collection and local history. An art shop on the property sells print reproductions of the artworks.

The Atkinson

Address: Lord St, Southport PR8 1DB, UK

Website: The Atkinson

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

7. Shop 'til you drop at Lord Street

Lord Street is Southport’s main shopping street and dates back more than a century. It is a boulevard lined with Victorian canopies and pretty gardens. You’ll find designer boutiques and specialty shops here. Plus, there’s Wayfarers Shopping Arcade that stands out with its striking glass-domed roof and beautiful period décor. The shopping arcade features more than 30 exclusive shops as well as a restaurant and café. At the south end of Lord Street stands the Royal Arcade, with collectibles and antiques on sale. Lord Street is also lined with an array of cafes and restaurants serving international cuisines.

Lord Street

Address: Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1NY

Website: Lord Street

8. Visit the historic King's Gardens

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located in the heart of Southport Town Center, King’s Garden is a sprawling park nestled on the Promenade. The original Victorian gardens, shelters and Venetian bridge have been restored to their original state, with colorful flower beds, water fountains and more. In season, an outdoor cinema is held in King’s Gardens. Feeling peckish? Head to the King’s Gardens Tea Rooms, which is a vintage Victorian tearoom serving cake, lunch, tea and coffee.

King's Gardens

Address: Promenade, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1QX, UK

Website: King’s Gardens

9. Place your bets at Genting Casino Southport

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Feeling lucky? Why not head to Genting Casino Southport to have a “flutter” at the tables or slot machines? Anyone new to casinos can ask for help from the staff and dealers to get them going. You don’t need to dress up. Smart casual wear is the way to go. For example, smart jeans and trainers are fine, but football shirts and vests are out. No hats or caps can be worn in the casino as the CCTV system would not be able to see visitors clearly. While playing the tables and slots, floor waiting staff circulates to take drink orders. Please note, no cell phones or cameras are allowed in the gaming area.

Genting Casino Southport

Address: The, Promenade, Southport PR9 0DZ, United Kingdom

Website: Genting Casino Southport

Opening hours: 12pm - 6am (daily)

10. Tour the British Lawnmower Museum

For an unusual museum experience, head to the British Lawnmower Museum. The museum was developed in 1945 by Brian Radam, a former racing champion and has grown ever since. The museum features vintage lawnmowers and antique garden machinery. One interesting section is the Lawnmowers of the Rich and Famous, where lawnmowers belonging to Queen’s Brian May, comedian Eric Morecambe, TV personality Nicholas Parsons and even Prince Charles and Princess Diana can be seen. On the site, guided tours are available to learn about the history of lawnmowers and garden machinery in general.

British Lawnmower Museum

Address: 106-114 Shakespeare St, Southport PR8 5AJ, UK

Website: British Lawnmower Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)

Explore the seaside town of Southport

Whether you are looking for sea, sand, sun and fun for the whole family, pretty parks and gardens, or interested in historic sites and museums, the seaside town of Southport have it all.

Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, the business hours of the attractions may differ from the stated timings in this article. Please be sure to check the updated hours from the websites.