Welcome to Southport’s Journey Magazine.
The following article originally appeared in the latest edition of Southport’s Journey Magazine and has been adapted for our website to help more readers discover the stories that matter. Download Southport’s Journey Magazine here.
24 Hours in Southport
Visiting for The Open or discovering Southport for the first time? Here’s how to make the most of a day by the coast.
Whether you’ve travelled across the country or across the world, one day is enough to discover why so many people return to Southport long after they’ve left.
Start your morning in Birkdale Village, just a short walk from Royal Birkdale or one stop on the train from Southport town centre. Enjoy breakfast at Croziers or The Tea Rooms, or grab a fresh coffee and smoothie from Cove before taking a stroll through the independent shops that give the village its character.
From Birkdale Station, hop on the train into Southport. Within minutes you’ll arrive in the heart of the town, where the famous Victorian boulevard of Lord Street stretches before you. Browse the independent shops, explore the beautiful Wayfarers Arcade and step inside The Atkinson, home to Southport’s theatre, museum, gallery and library all under one roof.
No visit is complete without a walk to Marine Lake. Pick up an ice cream, enjoy the views across the water and, if time allows, continue towards the beach where the coastline opens up into miles of sand and dunes.
During the summer months, the restored Bandstand in the town centre once again comes alive with free live music, creating the perfect excuse to slow the pace for a while.
As evening arrives, Southport’s food scene offers something for every taste. Volare on Lord Street has earned a national reputation for its Italian cuisine, while Bistro Verité in Birkdale Village remains one of the area’s best-loved dining destinations. The Kalash serves award-winning Indian food, Different offers contemporary British dishes in stylish surroundings, and Mamma Mia is perfect for relaxed family dining.
Finish the day with a drink as the sun begins to set. Coast in Birkdale offers a laid-back coastal feel, Wine and Words on Lord Street is perfect for a quieter evening over a glass of wine, while The Grand’s rooftop bar provides one of the best views in town.
Twenty-four hours only scratches the surface, but it is enough to discover what locals have always known. Southport isn’t simply somewhere to visit. It’s somewhere that keeps drawing people back.
Southport’s Journey is an independent monthly magazine celebrating the people, places, businesses and community projects that make Southport special. Read the latest edition online and discover more stories from across Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby and the wider Sefton borough.
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