What to do and see in Southport, England: The Best Free Things to do

April 22, 2022 Diedre Savory

Southport (/ˈsaʊθpɔːrt/) is a large seaside town in Merseyside, England. At the 2001 census, it had a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England.
Restaurants in Southport

1. Rotten Row

Rotten Row, Southport England
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 126 reviews

Rotten Row

Reviewed By 2mercury - Formby, United Kingdom

Running for almost a mile along the border of Victoria Park (home to the Southport Flower Show) this delightful floral border is kept in all it’s glory by an enthusiastic group of volunteers who must be commended. Drive, or better still walk, down to appreciate this magnificent free show.

2. Mind Games Southport

Somerset Buildings Hill Street 2a Somerset Buildings, Southport PR9 0PF England +44 1704 536200 [email protected] http://www.mindgamessouthport.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Mind Games Southport

We are a small independent local business that sell Jigsaw Puzzles and games. We have the Best choice in the area at the best value from the best suppliers. We also offer a unique Used Jigsaw Exchange Scheme - we also stock Airfix and Revell Model Kits. Our Website includes a Free Click n Collect service or Delivery to the whole of the United Kingdom

Reviewed By helenpI9898RT - Orpington, United Kingdom

I just received my order of secondhand and new jigsaw puzzles from this shop. They were amazing delivering to me in the current situation. Hermes were late delivering and they rang me to check on this. Love the personal touch and friendly staff. Excellent service.

3. Mezzanine

122 Lord Street, Southport PR8 1AA England +44 1704 532315 https://www.facebook.com/Mezzaninesouthport/
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 36 reviews

Mezzanine

Dog friendly Bistro Bar serving a full range of quality soft and alcohol beverages. Chilli, curry, freshly prepared jackets potatoes with various fillings and baguettes to die for!! A range of cakes are available and there are vegetarian, gluten free and vegan items on the menu. Additionally, we are dog friendly on the ground floor!!! We have a fabulous upper level which is available for patrons private functions.

4. The Royal Arcade

127-131 Lord Street, Southport PR8 1PU England +44 1704 542087 https://www.facebook.com/TheRoyalArcadeSouthport/
Excellent
92%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

The Royal Arcade

Reviewed By helenw649 - Chesterfield, United Kingdom

if you are visiting southport the royal arcade on lord street is a gem on this wonderful once great shopping street...it's not so great today i'm sorry to say with it's closed shops and the usual beggars etc but the royal is an unmissable shopping experience if you like collectables and interesting stufff ........wonderful couple of hours ....thats how much is in there.

5. Ainsdale Fine Choclate

44 Station Road, Ainsdale, Southport England +44 1704 807540 https://www.rsfinechocolate.com/index.php
Excellent
87%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Ainsdale Fine Choclate

Reviewed By missghjones - Formby, United Kingdom

This is a must-visit little gem! Coffees, cakes & chocolates are all super tasty & if you can refrain from eating everything you buy - their produce are the perfect gift too! The chocolate brownie comes highly recommended!

6. Southport Marine Lake

The Promenade, Southport PR9 0EA England http://www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do/southport-marine-lake-p57002
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 741 reviews

Southport Marine Lake

Reviewed By adyval - Long Eaton, United Kingdom

Been around the lakes many times over the years and it is large with lots of activities on it like power boats, speed boat etc. Lots of seats around also.

7. Sefton Coastal Path

Marshside RSPB Bird Watching, Southport PR9 9PJ England https://www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do/the-sefton-coastal-path-p239801
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Sefton Coastal Path

Reviewed By Snazzycracker - Southport, United Kingdom

I will be honest I was a bit confused looking at the description of the Sefton Coastal Path review here, and the indication at one point that it is at Marshside Southport. It's not Marshside and the bird watching is at the far North end of the Sefton coast. I notice a lot of people have done this path at Crosby too, which is the Southern end of the coastal paths. I have honestly never noticed the signage of an official Sefton Coastal Path but I know there are some splattered around. It's roughly 16 miles from Crosby to Southport beach going through and along the Sefton coast as I have ran it many times and cycled it too. There are many sections, Crosby to Hightown is a coastal path along the promenade and goes past the Gormley statues on the beach, and then passes the Coastguard station. Crosby beach has parking for cars near the Coast guard so is worth a park or stop there for the views. If you are walking or cycling the coastal path next goes along a fairly newly resurfaced cycling path in parts to Hightown and along residential streets which eventually takes you too Hightown train station. To progress towards Formby pinewoods and beach etc from here you have to follow the path alongside the railway to Altcar army training barracks etc and the path continues alongside the M.O.D. property and the railway. Once at the end of the Altcar path which is also a cycling route you come out on the outskirts of Formby and in a residential area. I don't know officially which direction or route any official coastal path points you from here, but I turn left and follow the residential roads and with a one time use of a map or Google maps on your phone, you can find you way to the entrance to the next part of the coastal area Lifeboat Road, Formby. This is the start of the pinewood area and Lifeboat road will take you down to adequate parking again and access to the beach and it's dunes range. You can carry on from here either along the beach or via paths towards the pinewoods at Freshfield and the National Trust squirrel reserve. This in itself is worth a visit to a vast selection of paths around the pinewoods there. You can also access Freshfield railway station from here too as it is a one road route straight to it from the entrance to the reserve. From the squirrel reserve you can take the beach again or follow routes through the pinewoods and dunes to the Fishermans Path which runs from the beach back towards the railway and you can double back to Freshfield station from there too. If carry on beyond the Fishermans path you will end up at the Ainsdale sand dunes reserve, assuming you haven't wandered off toward the rest of the pinewoods and ended up alongside Woodvale airfield. Ainsdale is a vast dunes range and leads to Ainsdale beach you pretty much choose your own path through the dunes from Freshfield to Ainsdale although at some points there are wooden posts with white markers on top. Once at Ainsdale beach it joins the Birldale dunes and again you can follow the beach or go through the dunes, there is a lowland path between the reclaimed salt marsh and the edge of the dunes. If you go through the dunes you will be rewarding with great views of the coastline North or South, and on a good day you can see the mountains of North Wales and also the mountains of the Lake District. This is usually more visible later in the day in the hours before sunset. If you carry on through Birkdale dunes you will come out at their end at the Weld Road roundabout and the Southern tip of Victoria Park and also the Coast Road. You can cross the roundabout and head inland to Birkdale railway station from here if you wish as that is the end of the sand dunes. If you continue on North along the coast from here you will end up at Southport pier within 1 mile or so, and if you continue on even further you will end up at the Marshside RSPB Bird Reserve. There are various viewing stations here for bird watching and I would recommend visiting their website for full details. That is officially the end of the path, unless you walk alongside the coast road to Crossens roundabout and officially the outskirts of Southport, but be aware you will have to turn back or get a bus back to Southport town centre from there.

8. RSPB Marshside

Marine Drive, Southport England +44 1704 226190 http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/marshside/
Excellent
55%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 98 reviews

RSPB Marshside

Reviewed By kelimages - Birkenhead, United Kingdom

This is one of the best places to see and Photograph Avocets & Godwits in the spring. You can get really close to them, I love the place. Best wishes Kel

9. Hesketh Park

Queens Lodge Hesketh Park Queens Lodge Park Road, Southport PR9 9NN England +44 1704 540070 http://www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4871
Excellent
51%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 354 reviews

Hesketh Park

Reviewed By kazlip62 - Newark-on-Trent, United Kingdom

Whilst on a break in southport went for a walk round this park. Although the weather was not brilliant thoroughly enjoyed it. Great park for children and dog walkers alike. Well kept and tidy

10. The Atkinson

Cambridge Hall Lord Street, Southport PR8 1DB England +44 1704 533333 [email protected] http://theatkinson.co.uk
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 800 reviews

The Atkinson

Love theatre, film, music, comedy and exhibitions? Then you'll love The Atkinson. The museum Between Land and Sea: 10,000 years of Sefton's Coast with the permanent exhibition Discover Ancient Egypt featuring The Goodison Collection means Sefton finally has a place to share its history. With Children's theatre, some of the biggest names in comedy, music and art The Atkinson really is a cultural pick 'n' mix for all the family. The Atkinson is a focal point for the town centre. Set in a grade II listed building in the centre of Lord Street in Southport. The Atkinson is managed and run by Sefton Council. Please check our website for full opening hours. The Museum & Exhibitions are open 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday. We are closed on Bank Holidays

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