Beyond Southport

Southport forms part of the borough of Sefton, and the whole area offers a variety of interesting things to see and do. This is all highlighted on the Sefton Trail – a fun map which you can download here or email to request a copy.

The Trail begins in Southport with the famous tree-lined boulevard Lord Street, the picturesque Botanic Gardens, in Churchtown, stunning Southport Pier, and the fun-filled water park Splash World, For a truly quintessentially English attraction, visit the British Lawnmower Museum, too.

Head south to Formby, where there’s a National Trust site  - an extremely popular part of Sefton’s Natural Coast. To the south-east of here is Thornton, home to an historic set of stocks and sundial. Further east of Thornton is Aintree – home to the famous Grand National racecourse, and Maghull. In Maghull and nearby Lydiate there’s a plethora of interesting and historic places to visit; the Scotch Piper pub, St Catherine’s Chapel, Lydiate Hall, Jubilee Woods, St Andrew’s Church, and Frank Hornby’s house. Just minutes from here is the village of Sefton where the borough’s only Grade I listed building - St Helen’s Church, is. 

Back towards the coast in Crosby and Waterloo is Antony Gormley’s famous iron men statues ‘Another Place’, The ideal place to sit and soak up these stunning coastal views is at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, which has its own Bistro & Bar as well as being a premier venue for watersports. Crosby is also home to the much-loved Plaza Cinema, a community picture house which still retains its quaint art deco features. A little further up Crosby Road North from the cinema is the Merseyside Fire Service Museum, where you can see a number of fire service exhibits with a pre booked appointment. Derby Park in nearby Bootle is a classic Victorian park and a beautiful place to spend time relaxing. 

Sefton is also great for village shopping, with Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, and Crosby, all offering independent stores plus well known brands.

Parts of the Leeds Liverpool Canal, and Trans Pennine Trail, also run through Sefton and are great place to walk, jog and cycle.

Just out of Sefton in Lancashire is WWT Martin Mere, - home to a number of wintering birds and the award winning ‘downy duckling experience’. Right next door is Windmill Animal Farm, where you can experience the everyday running of a working farm. For children up to 12 years old, the fun barn at Farmer Ted’s, is a must visit. Another spot well worth visiting in Lancashire is nearby market town Ormskirk. Just 20 minutes from Southport, this lively town is a real combination of history and character with a street market every Thursday and Saturday. 

Liverpool is less than an hour’s drive from Southport. Known as a European Cultural Capital, the city has a strong maritime history with a passion for music, the arts, culture and sport, all reflected in the city’s many attractions.