For those who have never visited Southport, you are missing out on a treat. One of the busiest stations on the Merseyrail network, and on Bank Holidays the town can be very popular with visitors.
However, there are many attractions in Southport with options for those seeking some peace and quiet, and plenty of choices for those who like a bit more action. The town has a population of over 90,000, and there are plenty of examples of Victorian architecture.
Indeed, some parts of Southport, such as Old Street, have inspired the boulevards of Paris. The town is a holiday destination, but it is also a great place to live, and work is being done to make it even better.
Just last year, work began to regenerate Southport Market. This modernisation is set to boost the local economy and is only part of the regeneration happening in the town.
Here are some of the best things about Southport for visitors, and some ideas for the future perhaps.
What is happening in Southport now?
Over the last year, Southport has suffered from the same woes as the rest of the country during the pandemic. Businesses had to go into lockdown, and revenues suffered. Normally Southport would attract millions of visitors a year, but with the pandemic and travel restrictions, this number dropped dramatically.
Due to the pandemic, Genting Casino Southport announced it will close its doors permanently. This led to nothing similar being left for visitors or locals to use. However, it is not all doom and gloom.
Southport applied for a grant to help regenerate areas of the town and was partially successful. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced in March that Southport would get most of the funds they requested as part of the Town Deal Bid.
This means that more than £37 million will be allocated to rejuvenate the town centre and other tourist attractions. It will also go some way to helping to create around 1000 new jobs.
Where should visitors head to when they get to Southport
There are plenty of things to do in Southport and the surrounding area. For shoppers, there is the Wayfarers Shopping Arcade with its Victorian-era features. Those that enjoy walking will be very happy with a visit to Southport as there are many choices. And, for those with families, there is the Model Railway Village and Silcock’s Funland.
Here are a few places for anyone new to Southport to discover.
British Lawnmower Museum
Yes, Southport is home to the best collection of lawnmowers and garden machinery in the country. Over 200 years of advancements in this technology have been restored including some previously owned by certain famous individuals.
If lawnmowers hold any interest for you, and they do for many, then you can visit here and see Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s old mower, as well as around 250 other examples.
Rotten Row
This street was probably named after Rotten Row in Hyde Park and stretches over two postcodes and nearly 1km.
It is a perfect walk for those that enjoy flower displays and is something of local pride to the volunteers who tend to the beds here. The path runs alongside Victoria Park, and after 128 reviews on Tripadvisor, it has a perfect 5 out of 5.
Grand Casino to be brought back
One thing that might be needed in Southport is a new casino. After Genting announced the permanent closure of its site in town, there is the good news that the old Grand Casino is to be brought back to life.
Not only will this casino restore an iconic landmark, but it will also help create 100 jobs. The company making this possible, Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group, also has plans to build one of Europe’s biggest SkyBars in Southport too. Exciting times indeed.
The Royal Arcade
Another area for those who enjoy antiques, or just taking a leisurely browse. The arcade can appear very small from the outside, but once inside it opens up like the Tardis.
Plenty of antiques and unique stalls to peruse and spend some time over.
King’s Garden and Marine Lake
Time to get some fresh air, and take a stroll. King’s Garden is a beautiful park that is perfect to stop for lunch, talk a walk around, and ideal for the family. There are benches, bridges, and restaurants, in a well maintained area.
For the children there are rides, and the park is adjacent to Marine Lake. For the adults, there is a bar, and when you want some fun, the crazy golf course can assist.
On Marine Lake, there are plenty of ducks and swans, as well as motorboats and paddle boats for entertainment. Close to the town centre too.
How about the beaches?
Of course, Southport is a holiday destination, and in the UK that generally means the seaside. Well, two things may surprise you about Southport, it has lots of beaches and very little sea.
Southport lies on the Irish Sea and has many beaches for locals and tourists to enjoy. There are over 20 miles of coastline so anyone who enjoys walking on the beach will not run out of space too quickly.
When it comes to the sea though, it’s another story. There is the years-old rumour that the sea tide never comes in at Southport. This isn’t strictly true but the sea does often seem to be very far out. You can see when it will arrive by using the Southport Tide Times site.
Summary
When it comes to attractions, Southport has plenty, and it is also home to the second-longest pier in the country, which is useful for spotting where the tide is.
The regeneration of Southport is going ahead and this will bring in more visitors and create jobs too. By restoring or building a new kaszinó the town can attract more visitors, and this means more revenue for local businesses such as hotels too.
The future for the town looks very bright, and the next few years should see some very positive developments to sit alongside the existing attractions.
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