Find out how Birkdale is getting prepared for The Open

Excitement is building in Birkdale ahead of the Open Golf championship which gets under way this week.

The main action begins on Thursday, but practice days have started already, with the world’s top golfers descending on the Sefton coast this week to compete for the famous Claret Jug.

Birkdale and Southport are buzzing. Local bars, restaurants and cafes are preparing for a busy week, with many opening early and putting on special breakfast menus to cater for golf fans on their way to watch the action.

A record breaking 200,000 people are expected at the famous Royal Birkdale course over the week, and many will be hoping for a victory for local hero Tommy Fleetwood.

There is a big police presence around the area, and parking restrictions are in place in the roads around the famous golf course.

Local hotels are full, many residents in and around Birkdale are renting out their houses to fans, camper vans are filling up local sites and there is even a pop up glamping site.

We took a trip to Birkdale to see some of the preparation for the event which runs until Sunday 19^th July.

The Campsite

Victoria Park in Southport has been transformed into a luxury camping village for golf fans.

Hundreds of tents have been pitched in the picturesque surroundings of the park which is famously home to the Southport Flower show, but will this week be offering a temporary home for golf fans attending the Open.

The glamping site is just under two miles from the course, has catering facilities and a bus shuttle service to and from Royal Birkdale. There are pre-erected tents, toilets, charging stations and security.

The park is also close to Southport’s centre, so campers will be able to take a walk on the beach or enjoy a wander round the seaside town in the evening.

The special whisky

Whisky bar Ooshka Ba has bottled a special limited edition single malt to celebrate the Open returning to nearby Royal Birkdale.

Produced in conjunction with Fib Whisky, there are just 30 bottles available. 

It has been drawn from a single cask distilled at Auchroisk Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, was matured for 11 years and then finished in an Oloroso barrique for two months.

You can enjoy a dram of the whisky at the bar in Birkdale village but if you want to get your hands on a bottle for £108, you will need to be quick at there are only a handful left.

Peter Seattle, proprietor of Ooshka Ba is a huge golf fan and will be at the course for one of the practice days, then back for another day to watch the main action.

The rest of the week he will be busy in the bar which opened last year and stocks 160 varieties of whisky, fine wines and a range of beers, coffees and soft drinks.

They’ve been preparing for the Open for months, with extra staff drafted in to serve golf fans drinks as well as their popular tapas and cheese boards.

Peter said: “It is really exciting to be welcoming the Open again. I have lived in the area all my life and remember first going to the Open in 1983.

“It is going to be a great week, and we hope Tommy Fleetwood will win.”

The artist

Local artist Neil Prior has produced a range of oil paintings to celebrate the Open Golf.

Prior is a professional, self-taught oil painter and wanted to capture some images to commemorate the famous championship returning to his home town.

He said: “I wanted to create some works that will appeal to golf fans and I hope I have captured something special for them.”

As well as oil paintings he has also produced special cards and prints for golf fans to mark the occasions.

You can see his work displayed at Ooshka Ba or go to neilpriorartist.com

The bars and restaurants

Bars, restaurants and cafes in and around Birkdale are hoping for a busy week catering for golf fans.

With 200,000 people expected to descend on the championship, it will offer a great boost to the local economy.

There are specials menus and extended opening hours for lots of hospitality businesses in Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale and Formby.

Tipple in Ainsdale village is inviting fans to visit for breakfast from 8.30am every day from Thursday – Sunday, before jumping on the train to the golf. Book a table here.

Samuels and Co in Birkdale village will be open from 7.30am-11pm during the Open Golf days, with a menu packed with brunch, salads and sandwiches.

See the menu here.

Croziers of Birkdale will also have extended hours, opening from 7.30am-late, serving breakfast, lunch, coffees and sharing boards in the evening. 

See the menu here.

Find out how Royal Birkdale is preparing to host The 154th Open here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.