A free Tolkien Trail is launching in Southport to celebrate the launch of a new exhibition at The Atkinson

People will be able to enjoy a new Southport Tolkien Trail this summer with several local businesses taking part. 

The Trail in Southport town centre has been inspired by the forthcoming opening of the new ‘The Magic of Middle-earth’ at The Atkinson on Lord Street, which opens on Saturday 21st June 2025. 

The new attraction will feature a wealth of unique Tolkien memorabilia which has been curated by acclaimed collector and curator Matt Fox. Admission will be free. 

J.R.R. Tolkien is held as the world’s greatest fantasy writer, with his works including The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit. 

This summer people will be able to see the display at the Atkinson as well as taking part in the Trail, with prizes available for the first 50 people to complete it. 

Nick McCoy, owner of HARP Coffee and Games on King Street, in the Southport Market Quarter, said: 

“The Southport Tolkien Trail is almost ready to launch!

“The Atkinson has a ‘The Magic of Middle-earth’ exhibition starting on 21st June, showcasing a captivating collection of rare artefacts that celebrate the rich and immersive fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien. 

“Whether you’re a little falling or a wizened wizard, you won’t want to miss this!

“As a huge Tolkien fan, I want to use this to celebrate eight amazing locations in Southport that have links to Tolkien. 

“Why not pop in to all eight and complete the new Southport Tolkien Trail  There will be a prize for the first 50 to complete.” 

The businesses taking part in the Southport Tolkien Trail are: 

Harp Coffee & Games, 28 King Street, Southport 

The Plant Room, 18 Market Street, Southport 

Legacy Records, 18C Tulketh Street, Southport

Make It Workshop, 8 Cambridge Walks, Southoport

Tap & Bottles, 19A Cambridge Arcade, Southport 

The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport 

Parkinsons Books, 361-363 Lord Street, Southport 

Bijou Cinema, 8 Post Office Avenue, Southport

HARP Coffee and Games, Southport’s first ever board game cafe and one of the first in the North West, opened at the start of this year inside a bright and spacious double unit on King Street in Southport Market Quarter.

It was opened by former local teacher and dad-of-four Nick McCoy, who wanted to create something new and very different for his home town. 

Nick taught at Holy Trinity Primary School and Ainsdale St John’s Primary School in Southport before opening HARP Coffee and Games. 

He has been liaising with Joanne Chamberlain from The Atkinson to work together on the exhibition and the Trail. 

He said: “It has all started to come together nicely since I had a great chat with Joanne Chamberlaid from The Atkinson. 

“The main aim is to link eight local traders that have a link to the world of Tolkien and use the exhibit at The Atkinson as a focal point for anyone visiting Southport to wander around and find more amazing shops. 

“I have covered a range of interests, such as cafe and games here at HARP, music at Legacy Records, films at Bijou and books at Parkinsons Books.

“We hope that fans of Tolkien, his books, the films or anything Middle-earth will enjoy a longer stay in Southport exploring all that it offers, rather than just visiting the exhibit at The Atkinson.

“Southport is packed with amazing independents, arts and culture and this is one way to show it off. 

“The Southport Tolkien Trail will run the entire length of the exhibit – from Saturday 21st June until 27th September 27th. 

“We will have a few events running over the course of that period, with a collaboration of the independents coming in August at the exhibit, where we will have games available to play, a Hobbiton plant making workshop and other great opportunities for fans and families. 

“We are also hoping to get some members of the Tolkien Society to come and give a talk and we will hold a large event to finish the event as it will be Bilbo’s birthday on 22nd September, which times well with the ending of the exhibition! 

“Since I posted about ther Trail on social media, we have had loads of interest from people outside of Southport, who are all planning visits to our town to take part. 

“People will travel for miles for anything to do with The Lord Of The Rings or The Hobbit! These works are magical.”

Find out more about the Southport Tolkien Trail here and the exhibition on the Atkinson website here.

Find out more happening in Southport here.

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