I have read some reviews about my favourite town, Southport, recently that have been less than enthusiastic. As Southport won an award the other day for having the most improved beach in the country, I thought I would add my view of the other things it excels at.
Southport is a seaside resort in the North-West of England. It is not your ‘kiss-me-quick’ hat type of resort, like Blackpool, it is more refined that than. But neither is it a kill-me-slowly, pensioners-only kind of place like Eastbourne. Southport is unique.
The main shopping centre (and main it is, there are a good variety of shops from the bargain-basement to top quality) is Lord Street. It is away from the beach area (a bit on the lines of Llandudno) but runs parallel to it. The beach area for many years was neglected and barren. Now it is being transformed into an elegant walkway, barriered by an increasingly good fairground.
PLEASURELAND Pleasureland is Southport’s fairground. Much smaller than Blackpool, it has a cosy, family feel to it. It’s main claim to fame is the £5m massive, record-breaking ‘Traumatizer’ ride. The Traumatizer is very popular with rollercoaster addicts – people come from all over the world to ride it. It even has it’s own shop! Traumatizer is the UK’s tallest, fastest suspended looping coaster. I have seen lots of people lose their shoes on this ride – it’s best to wear trainers!
Another very popular ride is Chaos. This was the first Chaos in British (brought over from America). It’s weird – it flips and spins you about. I hate it but most people seem to like it!
The toilets at Pleasureland recently won an award – they got the Cannon Hygiene Loo Of The Year award. That probably won’t interest most men, but you can bet your wife will be impressed! The toilets are good, plentiful and clean.
Pleasureland doesn’t really come into it’s own until the Easter holidays, when it flings open it’s doors full-time. Parts of it are open all year, though. The new Casablanca Entertainment Centre is one of the year-round venues – it is sort of an up-market arcade, with bars, restaurant, simulators, etc.
There is now a ‘Southport Eye’ at Pleasureland to revival the London one. It’s a bit smaller (100 feet), but still impressive and gives an excellent view not only of the town, but even over the water to Blackpool and beyond.
Pleasureland puts in new rides every season but some of the smaller, older ones remain popular with children. There are even some historical rides – from the 1960’s 1001 Troubles and the Haunted Swing, and from the 1970’s the Wild Cat steel rollercoaster and the Sky Ride cable cars. The Log Flume is good and was bought from am American part in the early 1990’s. There is a specialist childrens area called Sultan Towers, which has special small rides.
There is a wrist-band scheme in operation (where you pay for a wrist-band and then get unlimited rides), but some of the rides also take cash (the Traumatizer does). Pleasureland hosts circuses during the Summer months and there are always special offers and deals on tickets and refreshments. They offer groups of 12 or more very good discounts, so it is worth getting together with people on the way in and behaving like long-lost cousins. You can make good friends this way!
The beach is indeed much-improved, but it isn't the sort of beach you would take your toddler to dig sandcastles. They allow parking on the beach, so it gets oily. It's great for an invigorating walk, to exercise the dog, or watch the annual Air Show, but that's about it. Formby, a little futher down the coast, is better. You can park at the Squirrel Reserve (lovely) and wander down to the sands. ==== PARKS & GARDENS Away from the noise of the fair, there are a lot of elegant parks in and around Southport. The largest is Hesketh Park, closely followed by the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Both of these parks have aviaries and small animals, good children’s play areas, good cafes and seating areas. The Botanic Gardens have a lovely lake, where you can hire boats. We got stuck last time and had to be rescued – the children loved it but we were very embarrassed. The Botanic Gardens also have a Museum, which is free and well worth a look. The other main Southport park is Victoria. This is the site of the famous Southport Flower Show. It is also the home of the Southport model railway society, where train rides are available at weekends.
Talking of trains, there is a small training running around the Marine Lake, which is fun and loved by train enthusiasts.
The Marine Lake is worth a visit – for sitting watching irritable swans bite people, to having a thrilling ride in a super-fast speedboat. *****************************==== I can’t talk about Southport without mentioning the shops. They really are something else. You can spot the true locals (known as Sandgrounders – those who were born in the town) by their high-class clothes. These are people with money. (One of them is the actress Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street and Auntie Wainwright in Last of the Summer Wine. I seem to see her every time I shop, she is often around town as she lives there.) There are quite a few shops catering for them – exclusive boutiques and department stores. There are also all the chain stores you could want – Boots, Woolies, Dixons, Marks & Spencer (remember them?!), Mothercare, Superdrug, etc., etc. What I really like are the independents, the small, different shops – an old-fashioned toy shop that doesn’t sell guns and mass-produced plastic junk; proper sweet shops with huge jars of coloured candies; gift shops (real gifts, not fairground junk); all sorts of cafes and restaurants (French, Italian, even an English one!); a waterbed shop; a swimming pool shop (“Now where’s my shopping list : butter, flour, swimming pool …”) and much, much more. There are some supermarkets in right in the town centre – Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Kwik Save, Safeway – and a huge Tescos just outside. But Southport is also a College town and the shops reflect this too. There is a large B&M (a bargain store), numerous charity shops and second-hand furniture sellers. The charity shops are excellent – I have picked up quite a few designer bargains there.
Bill Bryson, the travel writer says the sign of a good town is whether or not it can support a book shop. Southport has too many to count – from a huge Waterstones down to discount publishers’ outlets. *****************************==== EVENTS There is a thriving theatre complex, which has many top acts and is a lot cheaper than city theatres, and an arts centre. There is even a small, old-fashioned cinema, which is still very popular. Tuesday night is the time to go – seats are just £2.50 each.
I'm not into clubs, so I don't know first-hand, but I'm told there are some good clubs. There are lots of "Stars in their eyes"-type acts on at the big hotels, plus caberets, karaokes, quizzes, etc., at pubs.
The Air Show, held on the beach each September, is truly excellent. It is one of the few air shows I have been to where the Red Arrows always turn up. It is getting bigger and better each year. There are numerous stalls and events on the beach for the show – but watch your sons, they will probably try to enlist for the RAF!
The Flower Show has to be seen to be believed. I started going as a gardening virgin and complete cynic, but it really got me interested in the green stuff. If you have been to the Chelsea or Harrogate Shows you will have some idea what to expect at Southport. Even children and non garden-lovers enjoy it as there are all-day events such as falconry, dog agility (look out for Trampus!), circus tricks, etc. It runs for 3 days each August and is well worth a visit, even if it is a bit expensive. Lots of the local churches offer parking in return for a small donation – and they even give you a refreshing cup of tea on your return!
As there is a thriving Christian community, there are quite a few excellent churches which host regular events. Worship Together 99 was held in Southport and will be again. Christian celebrities such as Canon & Ball, Helen Shapiro, Chris Bowater, etc., are regulars at events put on by the churches. The Community Church in Ash Street is one of the active churches, with lively services and events. Christ Church on Lord Street is also a hip place, as is Elim on Manchester Road.
Southport College attracts students from all over the world, having a wide range of courses. So the atmosphere in Southport is quite cosmopolitan. The College trains chefs and waiters/tresses and has an excellent dining room for members of the public. This is one of Southport’s best-kept secrets. You can get a 5star meal with silver service at a bargain basement price. But don’t get too upset if they spill your coffee, they’re only learning! *****************************==== PLACES TO STAY There are two huge, very impressive hotels – the Prince of Wales and the Royal Clifton. Both are expensive, but have great offers out-of-season, so it is worth checking them out. If you can get an offer than includes food it is well worth taking. A light lunch at the Prince of Wales will set you back £25 just walking in off the street, but as part of a room deal it is a lovely treat.
Another large hotel is the Scarisbrick. This has a wonderful new health complex and also has good offers. There are lots of smaller hotels that are much cheaper. Check out the website for details and offers. Some of the smaller ones even have swimming pools. *****************************==== OUTSIDE SOUTHPORT There are some charming villages just on the outskirts. Churchtown is historical and gorgeous – it is also where the Botanic Gardens are. Birkdale is also close by – with it’s famous, world-class golf course and good variety of shops. A little further afield is the market town of Ormskirk (famous for having a church with both a tower and a steeple), a National Trust house (Rufford Old Hall), a bird sanctuary (Martin Mere) and various craft and childrens’ attractions. *****************************==== Some useful info : PARKING – the cheapest and most convenient place to park is the park & ride. Buses from every 15 mins most days, every 10 mins at busy times. It is just 50p to park all day and the car park is watched over by a REAL PERSON! It is well signposted around the town. The buses drop off and pick up at several points around town, the main one being outside Woolworths, which is a good meeting point as it is next to a gorgeous church (Christ Church) which has lovely gardens and a tranquil tea room (selling good tea and cakes quite cheaply). It is not too difficult to park around town as there are several car parks, but there can be quite a wait for these in the height of Summer. Parking meters line most streets, which are useful if you only need to dash into a couple of shops.
Most of the shops are open on Sundays (and always have been, this being a holiday resort).
FOOD – the main shopping street, Lord Street, is lined with cafes, restaurants and bars. You can get a decent lunch for about £5. McDonalds isn’t on this main road, you will have to ask, everyone will know where it is (it has a good childrens’ play area). Stay away from the touristy eateries if you don’t like your food swimming in grease.
THE FLOWER SHOW – it is much cheaper to buy your tickets in advance. We tend to go for just the last hour each day – not only is it inexpensive, but you can pick up some bargains as the stallholders are packing up.
THE AIR SHOW – Don’t park on the beach, it is very expensive. They close the park & ride but locals are in the know – the other park & ride is kept open for them. You can find it at the far end of the prom, towards Blackpool, and it is still cheap. Other alternatives are local churches - some of them let you park there on weekdays and Saturdays in return for a small donation. You can walk onto the beach for the Air Show free. It is well worth going.
THE ZOO – animal lovers don’t go. It is small and cramped. However, I am told it is improving but as it is right next to the fairground, I don’t think the animals will ever be completely happy there. If you are in the area, Chester Zoo isn’t too far and neither is Knowsley Safari Park.
There is an excellent Internet site - http://www.virtualsouthport.co.uk. This not only lists all the usual stuff like hotels, events, shopping, etc., but even goes into historical detail.
I haven’t done Southport justice here, I couldn’t possibly include everything. I love the place and find something new there every time I go (which is at least twice a week, my gym is in the town). If you do visit, look out for me, I will be one of the ones following Hilda Ogden!
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