Napoleon always said yes in Southport
It’s easy to see why, in the mid-1800s, Napoleon III spent several happy years in this north-west UK seaside resort. Southport overlooks the Irish Sea and has always retained a distinctive sense of wellbeing and style. Famously, this is in evidence on the town’s Lord Street; a wide shopping area where visitors can wander around and enjoy top-end shops and fine restaurants and bars. Every night, there’s a definite cosmopolitan vibe to Southport. The beach is gloriously extensive and a wonderful place for family days out. Josephine would have loved Southport.
Not seeing the sea
VIP and royal visits are run of the mill to Southport. They are drawn to the resort’s space, taste, style, golf, shops and restaurants. Bumping around the bottom of Southport’s list of attractions is the sea itself. It makes occasional visits as the result of phases of the moon and tidal bores on the nearby River Mersey. Yes, the town’s numerous visitors flock here for many reasons, but not the sea. The beach, though, is vast and it seems that you could walk diagonally and ultimately reach Blackpool Tower in the distance. This is an illusion and the expedition shouldn’t be contemplated. The lack of sea in this seaside resort has been the endless source of jokes for many UK comedians. The late music hall star, Sandy Powell, for example, told about how he went to Southport to see the sea; but the man who knew where it was hadn’t turned up for work. These stories and jokes are grist to the mill and just serve to promote the resort’s name. Southport’s ever increasing popularity is focused on another, far more impressive sea of visitor attractions.
At the top of its class
It all began in 1792 when William Sutton dipped his commercial toe in the Southport sea and built a bathing house in nearby North Meols. A hotel followed and by the 1800s, Southport’s reputation as a classy, fashionable watering hole was founded. The introduction of electrified trams and lighting also served to lure visitors like moths to a flame. The mid-19th century saw the introduction of railways and easy visitor access from industrial centres such as Manchester, Liverpool and Preston. This swift journey time ensured Southport’s appeal as a home base for commuting industrialists and business people. Luxurious and spacious homes were built to house these affluent residents and of course, they are still in evidence. In this part of the world, Southport’s Lord Street establishments have more impact than those on London’s Mayfair. Internationally recognised recreational facilities and golf courses also began to appear. Quality reigns in Southport; a resort which remains in an enviable class of its own.
It’s all about the 19th tee in Southport
Royal Birkdale, Ainsdale and the Ryder Cup, are known throughout the golfing fraternity. The enthusiastic golfer combines all these into one word; Southport. Typically, Royal Birkdale’s Dynasty styled course and club house nestle in Southport’s vast sand dunes. The club hosts Women’s’ Open, Walker, Curtis Cup and Senior championships and is one of the premier courses in the world. Naturally, clubs felt the need to cater for the fine dining requirements of visiting players, celebrities and VIPs. So, too, did the resort as a whole. Whilst Lord Street is the prime example; there is an eclectic selection of fine quality restaurants and bars, to be found throughout the town. The Swan, Brewers Fayre Ocean Plaza and Le Boulevard are among the area’s many great value, family-friendly restaurants. Top-end dining is at a number of inviting establishments including Volare and The Hungry Monk. The latter; from its south UK base, introduced Banoffee Pie to the country. The UK nation remains eternally grateful for this.
Southport is the place to stay
Many Southport hotels are within the relaxing and sought-after areas around Marine Lake and Princes Park. Naturally, in this traditional resort of Southport, the great value, family run bed and breakfast guesthouse continues to thrive. There are self-catering apartment options too and some of these enjoy a much sought after Lord Street setting. At the other end of the scale and a little detached from the resort centre, there is good value, more basic hotel accommodation that is designed for visitors who are on a strict budget. Generally, wherever you stay, you are within easy reach of the beach, restaurants and entertainment centres. The ever-burgeoning city of Liverpool is a short road or rail journey away. You’ll be hard-pressed, though, to find anything to tempt you away from Southport’s very special charms for any real length of time.