Southport Pleasureland is back and bigger than ever

Southport Pleasureland is getting ready to launch itself into summer, thrilling visitors with exciting rides and attractions and helping them to make magical memories which will last forever.

It’s got a brand-new roller coaster, The Rocket, ready to blast off soon and Merseyside’s favourite coastal theme park has expanded so it’s bigger and better than ever.

Norman Wallis, CEO of Pleasureland, admits it’s been a difficult year, especially with the last lockdown which put the brakes on the cracking Christmas that had been planned.

But, with a smile on his face and excitement in his heart, Norman says it’s time to be positive, look forward, and clear the Covid cobwebs away with some fun that we all desperately need.

“It has been a hard year for a lot of people and a demoralising one,” he says. “But we have got to be positive and try not to be downhearted.

“Southport Pleasureland is where memories are made, and we are here and ready again to help people create them.

“The best computer in the world can’t make your tummy tickle like it can when you go on a ride, or get the wind through your hair, or get the smell of the candy floss.

“But you can get all of that here and we are ready for the best summer yet.”

The family-favourite theme park has gone through a lot of changes over the last few years. It’s looking brighter and cheerier than ever with plenty of green spaces and picnic areas to help visitors make the most of their day out, as well as all the popular rides for every age – like the ghost train, the dodgems, the Twister and the Waltzers – and fun activities like face painting, hook-a-duck and the mind-blowing maze.

But it’s constantly being upgraded and having new things added, says Norman.

“The new roller coaster ride, The Rocket, is coming soon. Named after Stephenson’s Rocket, the early locomotive built for the nearby historic Rainhill Trials, it’s a runaway train ride and it’s got lots of twists and turns, with no two pieces of track the same so that’s going to be an amazing new ride.”

Norman adds: “We have expanded the site to give us more capacity so the park is literally bigger and better than ever. It means we have got more to offer and more people can come and enjoy everything that we have and create that very special atmosphere, and they can have a great time while being assured that all the guidelines and measures are fully in place, so they can do it safely.”

Southport Pleasureland’s new ride, The Rocket pays homage to the rich heritage of the area and Robert Louis Stephenson.

And Southport Pleasureland is also creating a special garden, paying tribute to one of the region’s much-loved hospitals.

The Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Garden will be a new and beautiful quiet space established within the grounds, to offer a relaxing area for park-goers away from all the screams and exhilaration of the rides, and raise money for the world-famous hospital.

“Alder Hey is such a wonderful hospital and we wanted to raise much-needed funds for it,” says Norman. “So we came up with the idea of a lovely garden area.

“There will be a pond and trees, as well as statues and a fountain – and a wishing well.

“We will be having an opening ceremony to which we plan to invite all the consulates from Liverpool, and celebrate it.

“It will be marvellous to raise money for Alder Hey and offer something new for Southport Pleasureland that really makes it a place with something for everyone.”

Booking is now online, so instead of free entry and payment for individual rides, it’s now one price for the whole day – making it easier to do and easier to budget.

Wristbands are available to book online now and guests can go on as many rides as many times as they want. Non-riders can book at a reduced price and it’s free for children under 90cm (when wearing shoes).

Please take out the actual costs of the wristbands and simply state that all guests can book on line ( inc the web address as a link )

Norman says: “We want to invite people back to Southport Pleasureland for a great summer of fun, to help make the best memories and put smiles back on faces. It’s what we do best and we can’t wait to do it again!”