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Don’t be fooled into thinking
that Southport is merely a seaside resort; while
it possesses a genuine charm this is in stark
contrast to some of its main attractions, which
include a top-rated casino and a white-knuckle
amusement park.
A place for eclectic tastes, it has been described
as the 'Paris of the North' and each year hosts a
series of international events ranging from the
famous Southport Flower Show to an air show and an
annual jazz festival.
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Pleasure Land and Miniature Railway -
Photo:
Sue Adair
CCL
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Southport Pier - Photo:
Alan Kenwright
CCL |
It is also home to several
world-class golf courses - including Royal
Birkdale - and is one of the country’s leading
conference centres.
Thanks to ever-retreating seas, this placid
seaside town not only boasts one of Britain’s
widest beaches but also possesses the country’s
second longest pier – refurbished at a cost of £7
million – and a new pavilion.
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Lord Street, with its arcades,
fountains and gardens offers a continental-style
shopping experience and reputedly Elysee.
The town came to the fore in the late 18th century
when an innkeeper built the first bathing house on
the sands and started a tourist boom.
When a railway from Liverpool was built in the
early 19th century sand dunes were reclaimed for
housing and modern-day Southport began to take
shape. |
Lord Street - Photo:
Doug Elliot
CCL |
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Southport - Photo:
Alan Halfpenny
CCL |
Southport has a huge Victorian
boating lake and a number of sumptuous gardens -
its Botanic Gardens are world-famous.
Nearby places of interest include the National
Trust’s red squirrel reserve, the West Lancashire
Light Railway, the Southport model railway and,
curiously, the British Lawnmower Museum; one of
its exhibits is Prince Charles and Princess
Diana's old mower!
A key centre for golfers, the town boasts a number
of 18-hole courses including Royal Birkdale.
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