On the Sefton coast near Liverpool and Manchester, Southport a large Merseyside seaside town. On the Irish Sea coast, it’s a popular day trip destination and a popular place for holidaymakers. Spa breaks here have lots to offer, from outdoor adventure to shopping, historic sites and more.
Its annual air show, the largest independent flower show in the UK, and the British Musical Fireworks Championship have all played their part in putting Southport on the map, but this seaside resort has a historic reputation for leisure and enjoyment. In many ways it’s the quintessential spa escape, having grown up around a bathing house by the beach in 1792. It became a fashionable seaside retreat towards the end of the 18th century.
Southport Beach is naturally one of its top attractions. Its reluctant tide has led to an enduring myth that the sea never comes in here, which isn’t strictly true but makes for a good story. The beach is perfect for flying kites, building sandcastles or strolling along the sand. The unusually flat stretch is flanked by flora and fauna and is a wonderful place to watch the gulls fly by. A trip on the Pier Tram to the Pavilion with antique penny slot machines is deliciously nostalgic and perfect as part of family trips, romantic getaways or holidays with friends.
There’s also a strong golfing tradition in the area with multiple championship golf courses close by. Other popular attractions and activities include a trip to The Atkinson art gallery, the marine lake, the Model Railway Village, Botanical Gardens and the Southport Pleasureland amusement park.
Spas in and around Southport add an additional layer of leisure to your getaway. The Vincent is a contemporary spa hotel with a hint of 1920s Hollywood glamour. A little further away, the aptly named Chill Out Spa in Knowsley is a day spa in restored Victorian farm buildings, and the luxurious Ribby Hall Village in Preston is a five-star retreat including a dedicated, adult-only spa that’s perfect for special occasions.
