Visitor Guide 2017 Outstanding Events • Family Entertainment Sophisticated Shopping • Host of The Open 2017 Southport: Different Every Time... 4 - 5 The Lure of Lord Street 26 - 27 Royal Birkdale hosts the 146th 6 - 7 Shoppers’ Paradise Open Championship A contemporary and vibrant seaside 8 - 9 Entertain Everyone 28 - 29 A Sporting Mecca resort offering some of the best shopping 10 - 11 Spectacular Events 30 - 31 Discover Southport’s Neighbours in the North West, fantastic events, 12 - 13 Family Fun 32 How to get to Southport beautiful beaches, family amusements 14 - 15 By the Seaside 37 Accommodation Listing and attractions and seven world-class golf courses, all within an hour’s drive! 16 - 17 Picturesque Parks 41 - 49 Accommodation 18 - 19 The Wild Outdoors 51 - 53 Useful Contacts Whether you’re staying for one night or 20 - 21 Nature’s Finest 54 - 55 Southport Town Map a longer break, there is a wide variety of 22 - 23 For Culture Vultures accommodation to choose from – indulge 24 - 25 Wine and Dine in luxurious four star hotels, keep it cosy in a traditional B & B, or relax in a boutique guest house – there are plenty of places ready to welcome you! For help and advice when you’re in Southport, visit the Tourist Information Team, situated in: The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB Call them on 01704 533333 email [email protected] or go to visitsouthport.com Get social with us, search @visitsouthport 2 visitsouthport.com 3 The Lure of Lord Street Lord Street is a timeless classic, showcasing all the things that put it on the map since the town gained popularity during Victorian times; when families first flocked to the seaside resort. Walking down this historic boulevard, you will find canopied shops on one side of the street and tranquil gardens and fountains on the other. Independent outlets and high quality shops sit amongst cafés, bars and restaurants; providing the perfect spots to pause, watch the world go by and sample some delicious treats. Housed on Lord Street, the striking Wayfarers Arcade is a must-see, with glorious period décor and a stunning glass-domed roof. More than 30 independent shops cluster inside the Arcade, ranging from a traditional sweets emporium to designer bridal gowns. For those with an interest in antiques and collectables, the Royal Arcade is perfectly placed to help you find the ‘real deal’. With two floors to explore, allow plenty of time to get lost in this diverse and unique place! 4 visitsouthport.com 5 Time for a Shopper’s Paradise With so much to choose from, it’s easy Hall on King Street. The surrounding to see why Southport is such a popular Market Quarter has niche shops and all shopping destination. of this is just a one-minute walk from Lord Street and Chapel Street. You are Chapel Street is adjacent to Lord Street in luck if you happen to be in Southport and here you’ll find high street brands on a Tuesday; you will find the weekly and national names. The street is outdoor market in full bloom with pedestrianised, perfect for exploring at a wide range of fresh local produce your leisure. More gems are in store at including fruit, flowers and freshly Cambridge Arcade, Cambridge Walks baked cakes. And the last Thursday of and Marble Place, making them well every month sees the Local Producers worth a visit. Market – also on Chapel Street. A short stroll away from Chapel Street Like the idea of combining retail is Wesley Street, home to some of therapy with a trip to the beach? Ocean the prettiest shops in Southport and Plaza on the seafront has a great mix of affectionately known as ‘The Village retail and leisure, including a multiplex in the Town’. cinema, hotel, Premier Bowl, several well-known brands and restaurants, For bargains and locally sourced and 1200 parking spaces - making your produce, call in to Southport Market visit stress-free and enjoyable. 6 visitsouthport.com 7 DATE EVENT 1st January The Fernley Event 2nd – 5th February Southport Jazz Festival 5th February Southport Mad Dog 10K 6th – 8th April Randox Health Grand National 5th – 7th May Southport Festival 21st May Southport Triathlon 2nd – 4th June Southport Food & Drink Festival Cancer Research Race for Life 4th June 5k & 10k 16th – 18th June Woodvale Rally 25th June British Armed Forces Day 2nd July Southport Half Marathon 16th – 23rd July 146th Open Golf Championship 17th – 20th August Southport Flower Show 9th & 10th September 24 Hour Yacht Race 15th – 17th September Southport Air Show 24th September Natterjack Seaside 10K British Musical Fireworks 29/30 Sept & 1st October Championship 21st – 31st October Spookport Halloween Event 6th – 22nd October Southport Comedy Festival Southport Christmas Lights 18th November Switch On Please note that all dates are provisional and events may be subject to change – please go to www.visitsouthport.com for the latest information. Time to Entertain Everyone With an exciting, jam-packed calendar outfits) when the world’s most famous at the Southport Food & Drink Festival the fallen and veterans of conflict over of events, there’s always something to steeplechase lands in Aintree. The Randox at Victoria Park. During the three days the years. look forward to in Southport. Whether Health Grand National will see three of culinary festivities, visitors can find a it’s gardening, sport, music, themed days of thrilling horseracing as well as a complete food village, with trade stands In August, Victoria Park hosts its largest experiences, aircraft or fireworks, there’s huge variety of entertainment taking place and a children’s festival filled with family event when the UK’s largest independent something for everyone. throughout the event. friendly entertainment – all completely flower show, The Southport Flower Show, free to enter! comes into full bloom. For four bright and Starting the year on a high note, the In May, the Southport Festival hits town colourful days, there is so much to see and Southport Jazz Festival sees a variety of and celebrates fashion, comedy, arts & Later in June, the Woodvale Rally takes do, including bee keeping, crafts, artisan artists take to the stage at the Royal Clifton culture and music, with a show-stopping place in the Park, with a lively two foods, books, wood-turning and much, Hotel on Southport’s Promenade. line-up of live performances. days filled with exhilarating activities. much more! As April gallops into view, visitors will be June signals the start of summer and the Southport also marks the British Armed racing to get the best seat (and the best time to give your taste buds a real treat Forces Day each year, honouring both 8 visitsouthport.com 9 Time for Spectacular Events Southport Air Show graces our skies in September, with three days of spectacular aerial displays taking place over miles of golden sand and across the sea. There’s plenty of fun on land too, with an Air Show Village crammed with simulators, model aircraft, military vehicles and stalls. October has two great family events with the British Musical Fireworks Champion of Champions event leading the way at the beginning of the month – three evenings of the UK’s top seven pyrotechnic champion teams thrilling the crowds with choreographed displays to all kinds of music. Be prepared for some ghoulish phenomena during ‘Spookport’ as we get into the spirit of Halloween with a week of child-friendly activities, including a parade through the town centre and Southport Pleasureland’s Happy Halloween festival for families. To lift your spirits even further, ten days of side splitting comedy await you at the Southport Comedy Festival. With the Christmas Lights Switch-on in November and lots of festive fun from pantos to markets in December, there’s more than enough to keep you entertained all year long. 10 visitsouthport.com 11 Time for Family Fun The UK’s second longest Grade II listed can enjoy a great time, whilst those who pier stretches out from Southport’s prefer to stay dry can watch from the seafront – providing brilliant panoramic Poolside Café. views of the beach and coastline. You can walk or go loco-motive and get the Stepping out of Splash World, you road train which runs frequently from will see Southport Pleasureland just the pier forecourt. The pier is also home across the road. It is a free to enter to the Pavilion, where you can visit the family amusement park with a range licensed café, play traditional ‘penny-in- of riveting diversions – from big white the-slot’ machines and learn all about knuckle challenges to kiddie rides - and the history of Southport. games for all the family. The park’s events arena hosts a multitude of events Silcock’s Funland has been entertaining from beer and folk festivals to car-fests visitors for many years and has a great and giant-screen drive-in movies. Each selection of the latest video and arcade October sees the arrival of its Happy games – and when you’re peckish you Halloween (family-friendly) themed can treat yourself to some traditional experience. The park is also the venue fish & chips followed by a delicious for a new adult scare attraction which, ice-cream. You will be sure to spot when families have gone home, flips fun the beautifully restored, bright and to fear. colourful 100-year old carousel right outside Funland, something that all the For even more big-screen action, Ocean family will find hard to resist. Plaza is home to The Vue multi-screen cinema, which sits alongside Playtown Dunes Splash World all-weather children’s play area and Premier Bowl water park is open all year round and & Laser; play tenpin bowling and enjoy maintained at a constant temperature of a fun game of Laser Quest – all on 84 degrees Fahrenheit.