Southport is a cheerful seaside town, just south along the coast from Blackpool, and offering a similar theme of Victorian charm, bucket-and-spade nostalgia, and colourfully friendly nightlife. Though many people argue that the architecture is prettier, especially around the centre of town and Lord Street, a wide, tree-lined boulevard, with Regency-era architecture and hidden shopping arcades. Fans also claim Southport’s beaches are more perfect, long and wide, with acres of soft, golden sand. Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Southport are a good collection of picks for a fun break, or a more peaceful family holiday, all centrally located for beach and nightlife.
Southport’s charms include a rather elegant iron pier — the UK’s oldest and second longest — with an arcade on its tip. It also has Model Railway Village, a water park, The British Lawnmower Museum and a fantastic history of dramatic shipwrecks and rescues. Miles of sand dunes roll out of town in each direction, which will be a paradise for anyone who loves a beach. Southport will also appeal to golfers — there are a number of excellent courses here and Royal Birkdale regularly hosts The Open — kitesurfers and surfers, and cyclists — Southport is the start of the spectacular Trans Pennine Route.
Liverpool is just 17 miles to the south, so the best places to stay in Southport can make a great base for exploring the charms of both Liverpool and Blackpool, while always having a long stretch of beach to come back to at the end of your day. But the town has plenty of its own events to shout about including an annual air show, a huge flower show and the British Musical Fireworks Championships.