Many people remember with fondness days out with their parents to British seaside resorts, and although many more people are travelling abroad during the summer, the North West has some of the most scenic and fun-filled resorts to ensure your kids grow up with nostalgia for eating ice cream on the pier, building sandcastles, and getting dizzy on fairground rides.
That is not to say Southport is only a beach destination. The town centre, and in particular its main thoroughfare, Lord Street, is a fine example of Victorian town planning. The shops are sheltered under ornate glass awnings, and it make shopping more refined and genteel, especially if you visit one of the town’s many afternoon tea cafés. Near the pier, the entertainment complex Ocean Plaza has plenty of activities for rainier days, with a bowling alley, cinema, and restaurants.
Any serious pub fan will also want to check out The Lakeside Inn. It claims to be the smallest pub in Britain (a hotly contested category, and not one I am going to get involved in confirming or denying!).
Southport is one of those destinations that can be as cheap or as expensive as you (or your children) make it but overall, Southport represents good value for money, as there is a lot to see and do without breaking the bank.
Southport, Merseyside, PR8/PR9
North West Day Trips 