Days out in Southport and Sefton don't need to cost the earth!

With fantastic beaches, incredible attractions, history and heritage, you won't be short of things to see and do which are completely FREE!

We’ve drawn up our own list of the ten best free days out in Southport which are great for budget-friendly days out for the whole family.

 

Discover Ancient Egypt

The Atkinson can take you back on a journey to ancient Egypt with a collection not seen for over 40 years. Explore what life was like for the Pharaohs in ancient egypt.

This is a great free day out, and combined with the at gallery, exhibitions and museum the kids have plenty to entertain them!

 

Queen's Jubilee Nature Trail

The Queens Jubilee Nature Trail is a wildlife haven in Southport. The site lies close to the town centre, and has a series of well laid out trails, information boards and picnicking areas.

There is plenty of wildlife and a great way for the kids to get their notebooks, magnifying glass and go exploring!

 

'Another Place' by Antony Gormley

Another Place is an art installation on the coast. 100 spectacular cast-iron, life-size figures by Anthony Gormley spread across three kilometres of the foreshore and stretch almost 1 kilometre out to sea.

You will often see the statues dressed up by locals - Everton and Liverpool kits and even Santa!

 

Botanic Gardens

Just a few minutes out of the Southport centre in the medieval village of Churchtown these Victorian gardens are bursting with floral splendour and colourful displays. Let the kids run wild, winding through the many pathways and enjoy the Victorian Fernery, open all year round.

 

Formby Red Squirrel Reserve

Red squirrels, natter jacks, prehistoric footprints and miles of coastal walks are just waiting to be discovered .

Enjoy breath-taking sea views after winding through the pine woods and spotting red squirrels. It is a full day out, with fresh air, nature and a stunning changing coastline.

 

Southport Pier

Not only does Southport have 22 miles of coast it also boasts a Grade II listed pier on Southport Beach - walk to the end, or take the train and enjoy the expansive views. Have an ice cream or coffee at the newly refurbished Southport Pier Pavilion.

 

King's Gardens

King's Gardens is a 17 acre garden located in the centre of Southport Town Centre, on the Promenade. The gardens are a hive of activity all year round and are a busy tourist attraction on the Southport seafront.

 

Ainsdale Beach

Ainsdale Beach is now recognised as one of the premier beaches in the UK for extreme kite activities, with zones set aside for kite buggy and landboard use and kitesurfing taking place on the sea.

 

Hesketh Park

Hesketh Park is one of the largest parks in Southport. The Victorian Park has plenty to offer visitors, a short mile walk away and with plenty of on street parking, this picturesque park is a perfect place to loose track of time.

There are numerous nature trails, varied wildlife, a large lake, a children's play area.

 

Southport Beach

Take a picnic and build sandcastles on the beach - a perfect seaside day out!

 

 

Explore the different free places to visit

Queen's Jubilee Nature Trail

The Queens Jubilee Nature Trail is a wildlife haven in Southport. The site lies close to the town centre, and has a series of well laid out trails, information boards and picnicking areas. The site has changed greatly over the years. One hundred years ago it was no more than a few tufts of grass growing on the beach in front of the Victorian Esplanade. As more sand collected the sand dunes grew upwards and out towards the sea. The oldest dunes next to the Esplanade are now covered in willow scrub, whilst the low lying areas formerly used for sand quarrying are now low lying wet areas, rich in…

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'Another Place' by Antony Gormley at Crosby Beach

Please ensure that when visiting 'Another Place' that you do not leave litter on the beach. If bins are full, please take your litter home with you.  These spectacular sculptures by Antony Gormley are on Crosby beach. Another Place consists of 100 cast-iron, life-size figures spread out along three kilometres of the foreshore, stretching almost one kilometre out to sea. The Another Place figures - each one weighing 650 kilos - are made from casts of the artist's own body standing on the beach, all of them looking out to sea, staring at the horizon in silent expectation…

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Botanic Gardens

Just a few minutes out of the Southport centre in Churchtown is Southport's Botanic Gardens. Originally opened in 1874, these Victorian gardens are bursting with floral splendour and colourful displays. Winding through the park is the garden’s lake and a multitude of pathways. Don't miss the Victorian Fernery, open year round, it houses a wonderful display of ferns of all shapes and sizes. There is an aviary, gift shop and café too, so there’s plenty to see and explore. The Café Situated in the beautiful Botanic Gardens in Churchtown…

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Formby Red Squirrel Reserve

Red squirrels, natterjacks, prehistoric footprints and miles of coastal walks are just waiting to be discovered - part of National Trust Formby's amazing and ever changing landscape. Enjoy breathtaking sea views; head out on a bracing coastal walk or find out about Formby's fascinating coastal history with links to asparagus growing and the early days of aviation. Whether you want to walk, run or ride there's something for everyone at Formby, the perfect place to get outdoors and active.

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Southport Pier

The second longest pier in Britain, Southport Pier was first opened in 1860 with an original length of 3,600 ft.

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King's Gardens

King's Gardens is a 17 acre garden located in the centre of Southport Town Centre, on the Promenade. The gardens are a hive of activity all year round and are a busy tourist attraction on the Southport seafront. In 2012, the gardens were awarded £5.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sefton Council as part of the 'Parks for People Programme.' This prestigious scheme is the largest single investment in parks by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North West. Over the past 5 years Sefton Council has been working closely with the community and visitors to develop this…

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Ainsdale Beach

Ainsdale Beach is now recognised as one of the premier beaches in the UK for extreme kite activities, with zones set aside for kite buggy and landboard use and kitesurfing taking place on the sea. It has been awarded International Blue Flag on a number of occasions. The QCA award tells visitors that the standards of beach management are of the highest quality in the UK. A permit is required before you use a power kite in the kite zone. The Ainsdale Discovery Centre, situated adjacent to the beach and Ainsdale & Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve, provides local information, a…

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Hesketh Park

Hesketh Park is one of the largest parks in Southport. The Victorian Park has plenty to offer visitors, a short mile walk away and with plenty of on street parking, this picturesque park is a perfect place to lose track of time. The gardens and ornate fountains have been restored and reconstructed, to bring the park back to its former glory. There are numerous nature trails, varied wildlife, a large lake, a children's play area. Hesketh Park is also home to a historic astronomical observatory which is opened on a regular basis for visitors thanks to the efforts of volunteers from the…

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Southport Beach

Stunning coastline and amazing views! Southport beach really does boast some of the most amazing views of the coast. With long sandy beaches and a coast-line that stretches 22 miles across Sefton, you can soak up the panoramic view of golden sands and admire the beauty of the coast! Southport beach has one of the most unique natural environments in the country. The resort’s beach is home to many thousands of wading birds returning from their northern breeding grounds at the end of the summer It’s the gateway to the coast and the Ribble Estuary and a place where the coast…

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