There have been settlements in Southport since the Doomsday Book when it became a fashionable and wealthy seaside town with people visiting to bathe in the salt sea waters. 

The stories of people who lived and worked along our coast can be found in The Atkinson's museum exhibition 'Between Land and Sea'. The museum showcases the development of Sefton’s tourist towns of Southport and Birkdale, the outstanding natural habitats from Marshside to Formby Point, and the major industrial port of Bootle.

There are also many walking heritage trails you can take part in to learn more about the history of Southport and the wider Sefton area, including Waterloo & Crosby.

History & heritage trails

Places of historic interest

Lydiate Hall

The Ireland family that worshipped at St Catherine's Chapel (also in Lydiate) lived here after…

Old Christ Church

Christ Church was built in 1891-99 to replace a much humbler building by something more in keeping…

King's Gardens

King's Gardens is a 17 acre garden located in the centre of Southport Town Centre, on the…