Things to do in Southport

A north-west town blessed with 22 miles of coastline looking out to the Irish Sea, Southport is a grand and historic seaside resort home to world-class golf courses, the oldest iron pier in the country, water parks, theme parks and an impressive independent nightlife and eating out scene.

Sports and nature fans will love the wide open beaches where you can kitesurf and para kart on Ainsdale Beach, the vast dunes at Formby Beach and the thousands of migratory birds at the Martin Mere nature reserve. For family fun and entertainment, look no further than Southport Pier and the nearby Princes Park where you’ll find Southport Pleasureland, the Dunes Splash World and Silcock’s Funland Pier. And our hotels in Southport are perfectly placed close to all the action.

With a neat, compact town-centre that revolves around the elegant tree-lined Lord Street, Southport is packed full of cafés, pubs, bars, restaurants and coffee shops, with some amazing independent outlets covering everything from fine dining to fish and chips.

Activities

Whether you’re into planes, model trains, lazy days at the beach, roller coasters, water parks or nature reserves home to hundreds of migratory birds, you’ll find something you love in Southport.

Entertainment

With three theatre and events spaces hosting everything from family plays to comedy and classical music, one of the UK’s best golf courses and a well-supported non-league football club, there’s plenty to do and see in Southport.

Places to eat

From decadent afternoon tea options to beachside fish and chips and continental-style cafés to Indian, British and Mediterranean classics, Southport’s eating out scene truly delivers across the board.

Nightlife

Thanks to an influx of new bars and pubs – alongside some historic watering holes – Southport’s nightlife scene has become a reason to visit in its own right, with a burgeoning Northern Quarter and its very own Peaky Blinders Bar well worth a visit.

Shopping

On Lord Street in a Grade II listed building, Wayfarers Arcade is a Victorian-era shopping arcade under an impressive glass-domed roof. First opened in 1898, the two-floor arcade is home to over 30 independent shops including Rohan and Beales Department Store. As well as plenty of shopping, the arcade is also a great place to people watch and relax, with four cafés and shops on hand including Sweet Memories, a traditional sweet shop with over 200 ranges.

Just behind the Wayfarers Arcade is Marble Place, a small shopping centre a few minutes from the train station. Home to a range of outlets including health and beauty and fashion, it also has several independent eateries selling sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

Alternatively, head to the C12 Shopping Park on the other side of the train station for a 24-hour Asda, a dozen big-name brands like Next and Boots as well as plenty of parking, a pharmacy and coffee shop.

Getting Around

Southport is just a 40 minute drive from Liverpool Airport, with the 25-mile journey taking around two hours via a train and a short connecting bus journey. One of the major UK airports with over five million passengers each year, the airport is serviced by Blue Air, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizzair taking passengers across the UK and Europe. Alternatively, stay the night before you travel at one of our hotels near Liverpool Airport to make your journey even smoother.

Located in the heart of town, Southport Train Station is a six-platform terminal with regular departures to Blackburn, Leeds and Manchester. The station welcomes over three million passengers each year and has a range of shops, a ticket office and toilets in the main hall and a taxi rank directly outside.