{"id":672950,"date":"2026-07-04T06:12:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T06:12:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/672950\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T06:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T06:12:18","slug":"beyond-the-fairways-why-southport-should-be-your-next-uk-coastal-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/672950\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the fairways: Why Southport should be your next UK coastal escape"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the historic town of Southport may be in the spotlight as the host of this year\u2019s Open Championship \u2013 the world\u2019s oldest and most prestigious golf tournament \u2013 the diverse, year-round appeal of this hidden gem destination makes it a must-visit long after the winner is crowned.<\/p>\n

The Open itself takes place at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club, widely regarded as the best links course in England. It\u2019s just one of several championship venues within easy reach of Southport, helping cement the town\u2019s reputation as England\u2019s golfing capital. Throughout the year, players travel from across the UK and beyond to experience its scenic coastal courses, renowned for their rolling dunes, challenging layouts and spectacular sea views.<\/p>\n

However, Southport has much to offer beyond the fairways, with 22 miles of nature-rich coastline, sweeping golden sand beaches and breathtaking nature reserves made for exploring. While away from the water, a historic town centre and charming villages are home to historic architecture and an abundance of independent boutiques and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Why Liverpool is the ideal base for a Southport city-and-coast break<\/p>\n

\"INNSiDEINNSiDE by Melia – 360 Sky Bar, The Halyard Hotel, The Titanic Hotel, The Municipal Hotel & Spa, Hope Street Hotel, all 30 minutes by train to Southport (Visit Southport)<\/p>\n

Located just a stone\u2019s throw from Liverpool, Southport makes an ideal city-and-coast break during The Open, with Merseyrail services departing every 10-15 minutes. This means visitors can bunker down in the city and enjoy Liverpool\u2019s vibrant cultural scene \u2013 from touring world-class football stadiums and learning the story of The Beatles, to visiting museums and galleries or exploring the iconic Royal Albert Dock \u2013 before being at Royal Birkdale, strolling along Southport\u2019s beaches, playing a round of golf, or attending the flower or air show in under an hour. <\/p>\n

Thanks to Liverpool\u2019s extensive accommodation offer, visitors also have an exceptional choice of places to stay, from stylish boutique hotels such as Hope Street Hotel and The Resident Liverpool, to internationally recognised brands including Maldron, Novotel and INNSiDE by Meli\u00e1, through to luxury stays at The Municipal Hotel & Spa, Titanic Hotel Liverpool and The Halyard, with an option for every style of traveller.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re planning a summer staycation, a long weekend or an extended coastal escape, Southport combines easy accessibility with an impressive mix of outdoor adventures, rich history and a thriving culinary scene. Here are some of the best ways to make the most of your visit.<\/p>\n

Delve into Southport\u2019s best beaches and watersports<\/p>\n

\"FromFrom paddleboarding to kitesurfing and windsurfing there are plenty of watersports to try (Visit Southport)<\/p>\n

Whether you prefer to dip your toes in the sea or you\u2019re a watersports enthusiast, Southport\u2019s lengthy coastline has something for every water baby. For a traditional seaside visit, grab your bucket and spade and head to Southport Beach for family fun and all the facilities, or opt for the dog-friendly Formby Beach with its picturesque dunes, whilst adventurous types will love the kitesurfing, windsurfing and the more chilled out atmosphere at Ainsdale Beach.<\/p>\n

Adjacent to Southport Beach is the 140-acre Marine Lake, one of England\u2019s largest man-made leisure lakes. Its calm, sheltered waters are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, alongside swan pedalos, rowing boats and self-drive motorboats, while the Southport Jet boat ride offers thrill seekers a high-speed, white-knuckle ride. <\/p>\n

For something more relaxing, the 17-acre King\u2019s Gardens is located alongside Marine Lake, where peaceful strolls amongst the colourful flower beds and ornate bridges await \u2013 or give your legs a rest and enjoy the Lakeside Miniature Railway.<\/p>\n

Explore the walkways, cycleways, and nature trails of the Sefton Coast<\/p>\n

\"AA coastal cycle is a perfect way to explore Southport\u2019s scenic surroundings (Visit Southport)<\/p>\n

Nature and wildlife are at the heart of Southport\u2019s offering and they couldn\u2019t be easier to access. Walk the length of the Sefton Coastal Path \u2013 many parts can be cycled too<\/a> \u2013 a haven for biodiversity that stretches 21-miles across sandy beaches, dunes, pine woodlands and estuaries that offer panoramas across the Irish Sea and views of North Wales and Snowdonia.<\/p>\n

The route passes through the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve and Formby National Trust Reserve, home to protected sand lizards, rare Natterjack toads, and native red squirrels. For culture vultures, it also takes you to artist Antony Gormley\u2019s Another Place installation of 100 cast-iron figures spread out across Crosby Beach \u2013 which can also be directly accessed via a scenic cycling trail. The mostly flat terrain of the Sefton Coastal Path can be walked from start to finish over a weekend or broken down into sections, which are easily accessible from Southport\u2019s neighbouring villages of Birkdale, Ainsdale and leafy Hillside.<\/p>\n

Other cycling routes include the squirrel spotting path from Southport to Formby via Ainsdale Sand Dunes Nature Reserve, The Shrimp and Swan Routes \u2013 both starting at Marine Lake \u2013 the traffic-free section of the Trans-Pennine Trail, which runs from Southport to Yorkshire, and numerous shorter rides through woodlands and meadows near the coast. <\/p>\n

Find the pathways to local cuisine and culture in Southport’s historic neighbouring villages<\/p>\n

\"ForFor a dose of history, head to Lord Street, a mile-long Victorian boulevard inspired by the tree-lined avenues of Paris (Visit Southport)<\/p>\n

Southport and the surrounding villages are part of the ancient parish of North Meols, which is listed in the Domesday Book and dates back to early Anglo-Saxon times. Much of this history is captured in the Between Land and Sea permanent museum exhibition at The Atkinson arts, heritage, and cultural centre. It\u2019s located on the famous Lord Street, a mile-long Victorian shopping boulevard, believed to be the inspiration behind the iconic wide, tree-lined avenues of Paris, after Napol\u00e9on Bonaparte stayed near here during his UK exile in the 1840s. Wander along walkways with cast-iron and glass canopies, peruse the boutiques, gardens and War Memorial Fountains before choosing from an array of atmospheric dining spots \u2013 the award-winning, family-run Volare caters for fans of Italian home cooking, while JT Akshaya serves award-winning Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine.<\/p>\n

For village vibes away from Southport town centre, head to Churchtown, where thatched-roof cottages, chocolate-box charm and a designated conservation area await. Explore the Victorian fernery, floral gardens, boating lake, aviary and caf\u00e9 at the Botanic Gardens, then take the few steps to Botanic Road, where you can taste homemade chocolates and Churchtown Cheddar and visit whisky and cigar specialist The Dram. Shop at antique, artisan and craft stores before settling at one of Churchtown\u2019s many caf\u00e9s, restaurants or bubs \u2013 unique caf\u00e9 bar Remedy is a must.<\/p>\n

While Ainsdale is well known for its beach, nature reserves and golf course, the village is also well worth a visit for fashion boutiques and a bite to eat or drink. The Farmhouse Kitchen \u2013 owned by \u2018Southport\u2019s first family of pies\u2019 and winners of best small producer and dessert pie categories at the 2026 British Pie Awards \u2013 is the top place to grab lunch. <\/p>\n

Experience nature, fine dining and culture in Birkdale<\/p>\n

\"FromFrom golden beaches to gastronomic delights, Birkdale is a must-visit during your stay (Visit Southport)<\/p>\n

Beyond its world-class golf heritage, the village of Birkdale offers nature, culture and gastronomic delights. Explore the woodlands, dunes and shoreline of Birkdale and Ainsdale Sandhills Nature Reserve, visit the family-friendly Model Boating Lake, then wander through the village centre, where elegant Victorian and Edwardian architecture creates a timeless backdrop.<\/p>\n

Birkdale is also a hotspot for fine dining and nightlife, catering for foodies of all tastes and budgets. Highlights include Samuels and Co, which serves coffee and delicious baked treats by day and is a vibing wine bar by night, the Michelin guide\u2019s Bistrot V\u00e9rit\u00e9 \u2013 offering delicious, home-cooked French dishes using seasonal ingredients \u2013 or head to the stunning outdoor terrace at Coast Birkdale for cocktails and fish curry.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re visiting for The Open or planning a relaxing UK getaway, Southport is a destination that rewards repeat discovery. From golden beaches and wildlife-rich landscapes to historic villages, independent eateries and vibrant culture, it offers an experience-rich coastal escape for every kind of traveller.<\/p>\n

Start planning your trip now with Visit Southport<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While the historic town of Southport may be in the spotlight as the host of this year\u2019s Open…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":672951,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[5904,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-672950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-golf","tag-golf","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=672950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672950\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/672951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=672950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=672950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=672950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}