Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Southport has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Southport.
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Sights in Southport
Southport is a large seaside town in Merseyside, England. The town is famed for its long, sandy beaches which make it a popular tourist destination for visitors from both within the UK and from overseas. The town is also home to a number of wellknown attractions, including the Southport Pier, the Southport Air Show and the Lord Street shopping area.
The town of Southport first developed as a small fishing village in the 12th century. However, its popularity as a tourist destination began to grow in the 18th century when a number of wealthy families from Liverpool began to build holiday homes in the town. This trend continued throughout the 19th century and by the early 20th century, Southport had established itself as one of the most popular seaside towns in the UK.
The popularity of Southport as a tourist destination has led to a wide range of attractions being developed in the town. These include the Southport Pier, the second longest pier in the UK, and the Southport Air Show, one of the biggest air shows in the country.
The town is also home to a number of wellknown shopping areas, such as Lord Street, which is often referred to as the ‘Bond Street of the North’. Lord Street is home to a number of highend retailers, as well as a number of cafes and restaurants.
Southport is wellconnected to the rest of the UK, with regular train and bus services running to and from the town. The nearest airport is Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which is around 30 minutes drive from Southport.
History of Southport
Southport is a seaside town in Merseyside, England. The town is located on the Irish Sea coast and approximately 34 miles (55 km) north of Liverpool. It is a constituent town of Sefton, in the metropolitan borough of the same name.
The history of Southport dates back to the Roman era. A small fort was built at Dunehead, now crossreferenced as DungeonbySouthport, by the Romans in around 80 AD. The fort was located on a raised beach close to theheadland now known as Hesketh Bank. It was used as a base for the soldiers who were stationed at the nearby naval base at Meols.
In the centuries after the Roman departure from Britain, Southport was occupied by the AngloSaxons. The area around presentday Southport has been settled since the early Middle Ages and by the end of the 12th century, it was held by the extensive Lord of the Manor, William le Norreys.
Southport first appears in records in 1297 as Kirkby in Waleton when theNorreys ceded the land “to be held in free burgage” to the sheriff of Lancaster. By 1334, the township had become known asSouthport.
Although there are references to a market at Southport as early as 1428, the market town only began to grow when it was granted a Royal Charter to hold a threeday fair in June 1498 by King Henry VII. The fair attracted visitors from all over Lancashire and even further afield.
By 1750, the population of Southport had reached 1,410. The town continued to grow steadily throughout the Industrial Revolution, although its status as a seaside resort increased when the Southport Pier was built in 1835 and the Promenade opened in 1837.
In 1855, the Southport Visitor reported that:
“There is now an air of comfort and prosperity about the place which it never wore before.”
The opening of the Liverpool, Preston and Southport Railway in 1862 further boosted the town’s fortunes as it became more easily accessible to daytrippers from Liverpool and Manchester.
Southport quickly established itself as a fashionable seaside resort, with highclass hotels, large public parks and treelined streets.
The notion of Southport as a retirement destination for the wealthy began in the 1870s when the town started to attract wealthy Liverpool merchants who built substantial villas along the Promenade.
As Southport became increasingly popular as a holiday destination, several large pleasure piers were built, including the Victoria Pier (1885), the Scarisbrick Pier (1887) and the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge (1911).
The 20th century saw a further decline in Southport’s fortunes as competition from other seaside resorts, such as Blackpool and Morecambe, intensified. The outbreak of the Second World War also dealt a blow to the town as tourism came to a standstill.
However, Southport recovered rapidly after the war and by the 1950s, it was once again a thriving seaside resort. Today, Southport is a popular tourist destination, with over 3 million visitors annually.
Vacation in Southport
Southport is situated on the Irish Sea coast and is the most popular seaside resort in the northwest of England. The town has a number of interesting features including its Victorian architecture, awardwinning gardens and a wide range of shops.
Southport is a great place to come on vacation if you are looking for a traditional seaside resort. The town has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, as well as a variety of bars and restaurants.
There are a number of things to do in Southport, including taking a walk along the seafront, visiting the Botanic Gardens, or taking a boat trip out to sea. The town also has a number of museums and art galleries, making it a great place to spend a day or two.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Southport, there are a number of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and selfcatering accommodation options available. There is also a wide range of camping and caravan sites in and around the town.
So, whether you are looking for a traditional seaside holiday or a more active break, Southport is a great place to come on vacation.
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