Southport UK Accommodation

Wayfarers Victorian Shopping Arcade, Lord Street Southport

Southport Waterfront Sculptures, Marine Drive Promenade

Contemporary Marine Way Bridge across Southport's Marine Lake

The Victorian Bandstand. Southport Boasts a host of spectacular Victorian Architecture

Atkinson Art Gallery, Lord St Southport. One of the Northwest's finest small art gallery collections

Southport's beautifully renovated Victorian Pier

Historic Lord Street, Southport Town Centre Shopping

Southport's Marine Lake with adjacent cafe bars and boat trips

Southport Tourist Information Beaches Theatres Attractions Shopping Southport UK

Southport shines as one of the North West's most attractive classic seaside resorts. Boosted by the splendour of its preserved Victorian architecture, particularly along Southport's most famous shopping mecca Lord Street which dates from the 1820s. The town's heritage as seaside resort stretches further back to the increasingly popularity of seabathing from the late 1700s. From these roots, by the end of the 19th century Southport has established itself both as select saside resort and residential town.

As well as the many examples of fine Victorian architecture, Southport is rich in what the Victorians loved best - parks. Clustered in the town centre sits Hesketh Park, the largest of Southport's parks and nearer the waterfront are Princes Park and Victoria Park. Victoria Park hosts many of the town's flower shows and summer events. Southport is also a prime spot for golf breaks. England's golf coast is on its doorstep, and Southport's own world renowned Royal Birkdale Golf Course is playing host to the Open Championships in 2008. It isn't the first time Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open - previous years include 1998, 1983 and 1954.

Southport - Classic English Seaside Resort

The jewel of the North West's coastline are the stunning award winning beaches along the Southport and Sefton Coast. The endless sands of Southport beach are perfect for families and nearby Ainsdale Beach boasts the only Blue Flag award on the North West coast. The resort's family friendly beach, which has lifeguard presence in the summer season, is complimented by its charming renovated Victorian pier - the oldest remaining iron pier in the country alongside its unique manmade Marine Lake with adjacent cafes and bars, boat trips and the popular Mississippi Paddle Steamer for cruises along Southport's historic waterfront. The contemporary Marine Way Bridge shaped like a sail crosses the Marine Lake and makes for superb strolling territory - as does Marine Drive, Southport's new promenade.

Southport's key success is its wide appeal and choice of attractions. As a family seaside holiday base, Southport is perfect, boasting leisure complex centre Splash World which combines cutting edge water rides with on-site Dunes Leisure Centre with spa, gym and leisure facilities. Other seaside amusement centres are dotted along the prom including a Vue cinema, bowls, shopping centre, go-karting, pitch & putt golf and a selection of restaurants, cafes and traditional seaside fare are here aplenty. Other highlights include Southport's eclectic mix of events and festivals - the town's international Jazz Festival at the end of May annually picks up national media attention (checkout the webguide right for this year's outstanding line up). Other events in Southport's exciting calendar include the Southport Comedy Week, the North West Motor Show, the Southport Air Show, Flower Shows and the popular Woodvale Rally.

Southport Tourist Information Centre, 112 Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside PR8 1NY. Tel. 01704 533333, info@tourism.sefton.gov.uk.

Open All Year except 25th & 26th December and 1st January from 9.00am till 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. 10.30am till 4.30pm Sunday.

Southport Arts Centre, Museums & Galleries

Southport's Lord Street is a hub for not just shopping but also arts. In the centre of Lord Street sits both the Southport Arts Centre and the Atkinson Art Gallery. The arts centre serves as venue for theatre, music, comedy and film. A visual arts gallery, two bars and a superb cafe and conference room are also within the arts centre.

The permanent art collection at Southport's Atkinson Art Gallery is impressive indeed. The collection, begun by a Miss Ball, has a long history dating back to 1879. Since then its grown to include some treasures indeed including work by Lowry (Street Scene 1935), Henry Moore, Augustus John (The Red Toque), Paul Nash (the dark 'Vimy Ridge'/1917 by Nash is on display here depicting a landscape devastated by war) and Walter Sickert (the gallery holds 'The Theatre of the Young Artists'/1890 depicting the theatre in Dieppe). The Atkinson is notably renowned for its fine selection of portraits and stands as one of the North West's most acclaimed small galleries! Look out for highlights such as Scillonian Pumps, 1974 by photo realist Maurice Cockrill and the stunning 1930s commissioned Fortunino Matania posters of Southport. The elegance of 1930s resort Southport is capatured exquisitely in these posters by the Italian artist. Additional prized Goodison Collection of Egyptology inherited from the Bootle Museum & Gallery is also on display and includes numerous Egyptian objects. Talks, workshops, special exhibitions including a recent one on portraits and tours run throughout the year. Exhibitions often focus on themes unique to Southport's history including recently Temperance and Golf. Check the Atkinson's comprehensive webguide for details. An art gallery not to be missed. Southport Arts Centre, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB. Box Office Tel. 01704 540011 or 0151 934 2141. Atkinson Art Gallery, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1BH. Tel. 0151 934 2110.

The definitive museum on Southport's fascinating history is to be found at the Botanic Gardens Museum set within the stunning award winning 8 hectare park. The collection here includes photography and paintings laying bare the 19th century history of Southport. Highlights include the recreated Victorian parlour, a collection of old toys and a dugout canoe unearthed near Martin Mere in 1899. A Natural History Room is on-site, and special exhibitions run throughout the year. See the Botanci Gardens Museum's webguide right for details.The Botanic Gardens Museum, Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Churchtown, Southport, PR9 7NB. Tel. 01704 227547.

Just a short walk from Southport station sits essentially Britain's definitive museum on the history of the lawnmower. Over 200 vintage lawnmowers have been restored and are held here in this fascinating museum. Invented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding, to much mockery at the time, the lawnmower has seen some big name companies involved in its design including Rolls Royce, British Leyland and the bike company Royal Enfield. An increasingly essential piece of equipment, the lawnmower evolved alongside the growing popularity of gardening. See lawnmower models from the early 1920s Atco 9 Blade to the first Flymos from the early 1960s. A choice of celebrity owned lawnmowers are also on display alongside an extensive mower archive. From a design and marketing perspective, with a focus on one product, this museum offers a fascinating insight into what worked and what didn't! Highlights include some of the fastest lawnmowers in the world and the first Solar Powered Robot mower. The British Lawnmower Museum, 106-114 Shakespeare Street, Southport, PR8 5AJ. Tel. 01704 501336. Open all Year 9am to 5.30pm Except Sundays and Bank Holidays & includes free audio tour.

Southport Theatre Festivals & Events

Southport Theatre & Floral Hall Complex on the promenade stands as Merseyside's largest traditional theatre inclusive of stunning domed ballroom and function suites. The Floral Hall dates from the 1930s, whilst the theatre is more recent added in the early 1970s. Recently refurbished throughout, Southport Theatre hosts an eclectic mix of big musical shows, concerts, comedy, ice shows and more. See What's on and book online via the webguide right.

The Theatre and Floral Hall, together with Southport's other superb venues including the Lord Street Arts Centre and the town's selection of glorious parks (especially Victoria Park) play host to numerous festivals and events throughout the year.

On the Southport Festival calendar is the Southport Food & Drink Festival in May, the acclaimed Southport International Jazz Festival at the end of May, the North West Motor Show in June, Summer Classics Music in the Park in July, the famous Southport Airshow in September and Southport Comedy Week end of October. For full details and programmes for these and other Southport festivals and events check the listings via the Visit Southport official webguide.

Southport Theatre, The Promenade, Southport, PR9 0DZ. Administration Telephone. 01704 540 454.

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