Advantages: Something for everyone
Disadvantages: Unless you are a big Blackpool fan!

...is held here - mainly remembered from my younger days as the only source of 24 hour drinking! From time to time other events are held here, for example power boat racing. Come nightfall and Southport takes on a different air. The centre of town has plenty of pubs and clubs. Although its many years since I last counted, there used to be thirty odd pubs and bars within five minutes' walk. There are at least half a dozen clubs offering scope for dance and drink into the later hours. There are hotels and guesthouses to cater for just about every pocket from the 4* Prince of Wales down. Virtually all are within a few minutes of the town centre. Restaurants offer cuisine from all corners of the globe with some particularly good Chinese restaurants. Overall, whether you are spending time with children on the funfair and beach, shopping... Read review

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Advantages: Clean, comfortable, hot food,
Disadvantages: Steps at front of hotel

...I'm still not quite sure why we picked Southport as our holiday resort for this year (2006), but the decision having been made we needed to chose a hotel. Now I'm not sure about anyone else, but I like to do a bit of research prior to booking my UK breaks at least, nothing in depth - maybe reviewing it on line or sending an email to the hotel to see the response - that sort of thing. In this case I happen to have some genuine questions and sent an email to inquire. I was very happy with the response from the owner Tracy which I received within hours (if not minutes) of clicking the send button. A decision was made following some telephone conversations where Tracy told us about the area and what it had to offer etc, and we booked. Months later it was time to make our way via train to sunny Southport and enjoy a week of luxury - or so... Read review

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Advantages: Central location, refurbished rooms
Disadvantages: Limited car parking and poor access for disabled

...This two star family owned hotel lies in a central position on Lord Street (the main shopping street in Southport). It has recently undergone some refurbishment and I have coincidentally had the opportunity to stay. The Bold Hotel lies towards the northern end of Lord Street, close to the Grand Casino, for those who know the area. It is easily spotted having a prominent white façade. The hotel has an area to the front which is used in the summer months as a terrace from which one can sit with a drink and watch the world pass by. In winter months it adds a few, much needed, parking spaces. The ground floor of the hotel houses the bar and restaurant. The only access to reception and the guestrooms is through the bar. The bar is busy with non-residents on Friday and Saturday evenings and it can be a bit of a struggle to fight your way... Read review

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Advantages: Good shopping, and good things to do
Disadvantages: Beach wasn't too good

...Ainsdale. It’s around 10-15 minutes from Southport city centre, and you probably won’t be able to find it, so I recommend you go to the travel centre in the town. In the Carvery, you will be able to have a Sunday dinner – any day of the week – at a reasonable price. At first you are allowed to pick from meat – chicken, beef or turkey – and then help yourself to veg. You can eat as much as veg as you want, and can go back for as much as you want. But, you can’t go back for more meat, but you probably won’t want to, because you’re totally full! Even though the meal is a reasonable price, the drinks at the bar are extremely expensive, so if you’re planning to have a drink after your meal, head somewhere else! **HOTELS AND B&B’s** The main Hotel in Southport... Read review

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Advantages: The great planes!, army, activities!
Disadvantages: No red arrows :-(

...I have always loved planes all my life the power, thrust, speed everything about them and I especially love unique planes and air shows are the best places to go for the unique planes and today on the 10th of September was the Southport air show and was the perfect opportunity for me to go and watch a few of the best unique planes in the world. I have literally just got back in from the air show and I am on my computer writing a review on it because I think it was so stunning. -*-*- A little history about the place -*-*- Southport has been a great location for all the family since the Victorian times and I don't know how long the air show has been going but my Nan says when she was a child it was going and that was about 70 years ago, as I just mentioned Southport is a great place to go for all the family and Southport has a beach I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Clean, Excellent Service, Good Location, Well Equipped Rooms, True Value For Money
Disadvantages: Small Car Park (but well managed by the owners)

...The Ambassador Hotel has undergone a huge refurbishment and is now called The Ambassador Townhouse. I stayed here in August 2008 for 5 days and had one of the most wonderful breaks I've ever had. The hotel is located on Bath Street, directly behind the stylish and upmarket shopping haven, Lord Street. This puts it in a great location to access all the main parts of Southport, with many key places only a few minutes walk away (including the train station). Internally, the hotel is spotlessly clean and has its own unique and very fashionable style. Great thought and planning has obviously gone into the refurbishment as all corridors and the public areas were extremely modern and well decorated. The whole place had a warm and friendly feel about it, from the comfortable bedroom to the corridors leading to them. Sometimes though... Read review

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Advantages: Lord Street
Disadvantages: Run Down

...I used to live in Southport, I can tell you about the real Southport. You will not find a lot of sand on Southport's beach the reason why is there is a sandworks situated in Marshside, this sandworks takes all the sand off the beach. You can park on the beach for a couple of quid, the reason why is it's not very often you see the tide come in. The beach is completely disgusting; it's full of rubbish in my opinion it's a health hazard it's not unusual to see used syringes, condoms and sanitary towels. Southport has a pier with a train running along it, there is a pub at the end. Southport has a fair it's a bit run down, some of the rides could do with a lick of paint. You would be lucky to see a souvenir shop, although there are plenty of pubs and take away establishments. But Lord Street the main shopping area... Read review

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Advantages: Something for everyone
Disadvantages: None, it's great!

.... 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... Read review

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Advantages: Great day out
Disadvantages: Crowds

...Southport is a great day out for all the family, especially if you get the weather! We all went to Southport a couple of weeks ago, the weather was cracking the pavements the beaches were packed and everyone just looked like they were having a really good day. We only took a walk around the Pleasure Land Complex, looking at all the rides and all the kids enjoying themselves. Unfortunately we were unable to let Jessica go on anything as she is only 8months old. We did however go into Southport Zoo. It cost us £** for 2 adults and under 2 year old go free. It was fantastic, it's only small but you need at least two hours to walk around and see everything. They had everything from Goats to Crocodiles. They were doing a bit of refurbishment when we went and some of the enclosures were being worked on but apart from... Read review

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Advantages: YOU DON'T NEED A PASSPORT.
Disadvantages: LET'S JUST SAY THERE'S AN 'INTEREST' DEFICIT.

...… they are not to enter the tide because it is too heavily polluted. Events ~ Every year there’s a huge horticultural event here: ‘The Southport Flower Show’, which lasts for 3days in August. Specially designed feature gardens are constructed each year by [quote] “landscape architects and designers” (presumably that means ‘gardeners’). And apparently Southport is “England’s Golfing Capital”. There are six championship courses, including ‘Royal Birkdale’ which is a key venue for ‘The Open’ ... and a good place for stalking very wealthy men. Accommodation ~ Lodgings are plentiful, and range from run-down B&Bs to 3* Hotels. And if you’re really determined to rough-it, there’s a Pontins Holiday Camp. Attractions ~ This definition is open to interpretation (and ridicule) … some of the things listed in the brochure are not attractive at all, and one... Read review

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