• 1aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawinteropening.jpg
  • 2024bikernight16april.png
  • 2024delphcafe.png
  • 2024easteropening.png
  • 2024summerstarts15april.png

Southport

One of Southports biggest attractions is the Pleasureland amusement park, for family fun and white-knuckle rides.

The seafront provides a traditional family experience and has long been a focal point for visitors and the local community.

Southport has long been known as the UK's number one seaside resort for floral decorations, with the Flower Show (usually in August, but with a newly established Spring show) rivalling the one at Chelsea .

Southport and the Sefton Coast has 22 miles of stunning coastline, with miles of golden sands on offer, great for family fun.


The Pier & Waterfront

Southport Pier was the first iron pier built in 1860 and remains the second longest pier in the country. Restored at a cost of £7 million pounds through public donation, Heritage Lottery, Sefton Council and European financial support in recognition of its special historical and architectural interest

The Seafront annually hosts an extensive events programme including the Southport Air show, Radio One Dance Night, Southport Flower Show, Thunder Sprint classic motorbike racing, British Musical Firework Championship, Model Show Weekend and many other events.

The Blue Flag award winning beach has always proved a popular family attraction. The beach is accessible from Marine Drive and has ample parking space for visitors. Attractions include donkey rides, Southport Pier, funfair, Go-karts, New Seawall, ice cream and refreshments are available within a short walking distance. A lifeguard and beach patrol service ensures visitor safety


Shopping

Southport is a shopper's paradise, In the centre of town is the world famous Lord Street, a mile-long boulevard offering a high quality mix of both famous brands and specialist shops.

Adjacent to Lord Street is a number of elegant glass-vaulted shopping arcades including Wayfarers Arcade, Cambridge Arcade, Cambridge Walks and Marble Place. Other great shopping opportunities can be found on Chapel Street, Eastbank Street, Tulketh Street, Wesley Street and King Street - all offer something for every taste and pocket. A visit to Market Hall in King Street is also well worthwhile.


Bird Watching

The Sefton Coast is one of Britain's premier birdwatching locations and to date 300 bird species have been recorded within its boundaries.

Southport is very fortunate, not only to have the largest area of undeveloped dune systems in England, but also to have a tremendous variety of other important habitats, which includes sandy beaches, tidal estuaries, coastal marshes, pine woodlands, heathland and scrub, peat mosslands and man-made wetlands.

The coastal area is designated a Special Protection Area (SPA), a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and Ramsar Site. The Sefton Coast is part of the Natura 2000 network of important European wildlife sites.

Wigan Area

Wigan is a surprising mixture of character, history, heritage and transition. Situated approximately halfway between Manchester and Liverpool, the town has a vibrant mixture of fantastic amenities including great shopping facilities, a vast array of pubs, clubs and restaurants, accommodation, plus tranquil countryside and lakes, and award-winning attractions.

WIGAN PIER!

Wigan Pier Experience life at the world-famous Wigan Pier in the year 1900 in The Way We Were museum, and ride on the waterbus on the canal. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the world's largest working mill steam engine. Experience the Twentieth Century in a day in Opie's Museum of Memories.


Standish

This collery town stands on the line of a Roman road and features a good church that was rebuilt in the 16th century. Inside the building, particularly in the roof, are good examples of woodwork. The old village stocks are preserved on the steps of a modern town cross.


Parbold

Parbold Hall is a splendid stone-built Georgian house (not open) with a Ventian-style doorway. Excellent views of the stunning countryside can be enjoyed from the summit of Parbold Hill, which is crowned by the impressive 19th-century building of Christ Church.


Burscough

Slight remains of a priory lie to the south-west of Burscough, which has a Victorian church with four attractive buttresses.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a world city of international renown, with its instantly recognisable waterfront, unique accent and famous sons & daughters. Voted European Capital Of Culture for 2008, the parties and events have already begun.

Albert Dock ComplexBased in the heart of North-West England, Liverpool is also Britain's favourite day trip destination according to the national tourist board.

The waterfront area attracts millions of visitors each year to admire the rejuvenated Albert Dock.

The city centre is packed with magnificent buildings and splendid architecture with a wide choice of cafes, bars, pubs and clubs.

Mathew Street, the home of the Cavern Club, still attracts thousands of Beatles fans from all over the world.

 

 


Sport

Liverpool is also a serious sporting city. Liverpool and Everton football clubs are renowned the world over, check their fixture lists. There is a cricket ground occasionally used by Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Liverpool is also home to the world's most famous horse race, the Grand National at Aintree.


Knowsley Safari Park

Knowsley Safari ParkOpened to the public in July 1971 by the 18th Earl of Derby, the `safari park' concept of having visitors in cages (cars) and the animals roaming free based on the drive-through game reserves of East Africa was unique.

The estate being only 8 miles (13 km) from Liverpool city centre, Knowsley was the first safari park to be built close to a large city.

In spite of some understandable apprehension about the possible problems associated with large numbers of animals (including lions) roaming about close to the city, the then County and District councils approved the proposals.

In the first two years of opening, the route through Knowsley Safari Park consisted of a 3½-mile (5.6 km) drive, and the main attractions were lions, cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, zebra, elephants and various antelopes.

The park proved immensely popular, so in 1973 an extension, including a further 1½ miles (2.4km) of road, was built and opened. This allowed more animals to be added to the collection on display along the now 5-mile- (8 km) long route, including herds of camels, buffalo and white rhino as well as a group of tigers.

Manchester

Manchester United Stadium Tour & Museum

Take a look behind the scenes at Old Trafford. Retrace the steps taken by some of our greatest legends, relive the glorious history of the unique venue and marvel in the splendour of today's Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United Old Trafford StadiumSit in the heights of the North Stand for a birds eye view of the pitch, stand in Fergie's spot in the dug out, sit in the Home changing room at your favourite players peg and emerge from the players tunnel to the roar of the crowd.

Museum

Truly a match-winning hall of fame, a section of the Museum is dedicated to 'the greats'. Charlton, Law, Best and Cantona are all present to name just a few. Discover an exhilarating collection of priceless memories and personal mementos, made possible by the kind donations of those included.

The Munich Disaster

Stand still as the world did, and listen to the tragic news report that shocked everyone who heard it.
Through newspapers and photographs we are reminded of the people who died on that fateful day of February 6th 1958. Understand the club's determination to carry on, knowing that those who were lost would have wished it.

The Treble Exhibition

Travel down the 'tunnel' of our special exhibition. Relive the journey of our most glorious season, feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, as you approach the end of the 'journey' to our most recent celebrated moment. Reflect in the glory of the 98-99 season.


Culture

If you want museums and art galleries there's the award-winning Museum of Science and Industry, the Manchester Museum, the refurbished Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth Art Gallery and, new in 2002, the curving streamlined beauty of Urbis - a new kind of museum exploring people and cities.

Two buildings which typify Manchesters' culture are the Bridgewater Hall and the Royal Exchange. One is a striking modern building, home to three orchestras including the Hallé, the other is a spectacular chamber hosting one of the nation's most acclaimed theatres and companies.