9 reasons to visit Southport

The countrywide Heritage Open Days invited us to visit tons of attractions across the Liverpool City Region – and there were more than a few amazing places to visit in our favourite seaside town of Southport.

But while the annual event in September highlighted some special places on the Sefton hot spot’s marvellous map of must-sees, you can go and see them – and more – all year round.

Pleasureland

The town’sadventure theme park’s looking better than ever. There’s been a lot of love and attention lavished on the popular park in recent years so everyone in the family will have a fabulous, fun time on the rides and attractions. You can channel your inner racer on the dodgems, scare yourself silly on the Ghost Train or make a splash on the Log Flume… or play great, old-fashioned games like Hook-a-Duck. There are places to buy food, as well as perfect picnic areas so you can take your own too.

And if a more retro experience is on the cards, Silcocks’ Funland, just at the entrance of Southport Pier, has got slot machines galore, horse racing and other games.

For more info click here.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is the glorious green space slap bang in the centre of the town with acres of open lawns, as well as a network of pathways loved by cyclists, skaters and walkers. It’s the venue for the annual British Musical Fireworks Championship too so, if you’re ever in the vicinity around September, that’s an automatic diary entry.

For more info click here.

Kings Gardens

Kings Gardens is a 17-acre garden on the Promenade. It’s full of beautiful Victorian architecture like Grade II listed shelters and an ornate Venetian Bridge. If you’re feeling competitive you can enjoy a spot of crazy golf while you’re there and check out the vintage Kings Gardens Tea Rooms and the many events it stages throughout the year.

For more info click here.

Shopping Heaven

Where do you start? Southport’s a shopper’s heaven. If you fancy a spot of retail therapy, you’ve got a variety of options from the Ocean Plaza stacked with large stores and restaurants, and the Victorian canopied boulevard of Lord Street with its speciality shops and designer boutiques, vintage tea rooms, bars and eateries.

Model Railway Village

Get on board for a great day out watching a mini locomotive steam along through 1.5 acres of miniature landscape. There’s also a great gift shop, café with tea gardens and plenty of places for a picnic too.

For more info click here.

Marine Lake

Marine Lake has got loads of green space, as well as water-based activities that the whole family can enjoy. There are motor-boats for hire … and who doesn’t love a pedalo that looks like a giant pink flamingo?!

For more info click here.

Southport Pier

Okay so it’s currently closed for refurbishment work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t marvel at the splendour of this 1,000-metre Victorian Pier which is the second longest in the country, and look forward to when you’ll be able to take in its incredible views of the North West, Blackpool and the North Wales coast once again. It’s worth the wait.

For more info click here.

Southport Beach

Sefton’s got 22 miles of coastline and some of the biggest sandy beaches so you can paddle and build sandcastles to your heart’s content, and it’s great for picnics and all those family games, with tons of space and plenty of fresh sea air to blow away the cobwebs.

For more info click here.

Southport Market

Southport Market’s undergone a £1.4million refurbishment and been transformed into a vibrant food and drink market rivalling the best in Europe. There’s a Mexican Street food kitchen courtesy of Hector’s Mexicana, perfect Neopolitan pizzas from Dan at 600 Degrees, Kaizen with Asian fusion cuisine, local produce from Blackhurst Butchers, and more. It hosts live music events, quizzes, and artisan markets, so keep a look out for what’s on when.

For more info click here.