You’ll find plenty of things to do in Southport, whatever the weather. Visit Southport activities like Splash World water park and the Southport Air Festival or experience its top-rated attractions like enjoying the rides and amusements at Southport Pleasureland. Bargain hunters won’t want to miss shopping in Southport while couples and families alike can enjoy Southport's culture. Check out the best places to eat in Southport and get a taste of the local food in Merseyside, before experiencing some exciting Southport nightlife. Getting around Southport couldn't be easier, either, thanks to the town’s nearby train stations. In the evenings, you can rest easy knowing you've enjoyed all of Southport's entertainment before heading back to your hotel in Southport for a great night’s sleep on a super comfy bed.
Entertainment in Southport
Theatre
The largest event and theatre space in town is the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre a short walk along Southport pier from our Southport Central Hotel. Located on The Promenade in the heart of Southport, the convention centre recently underwent a £40 million renovation and has welcomed a diverse range of acts to its stage over the years including Diana Ross, The Beatles, The Four Tops, The League of Gentleman, The Mighty Boosh and more. The centre has an impressively diverse range of programming covering musicals, tribute acts, comedy, live music and family theatre with events lined up over a year in advance making it easy to plan ahead.
Another popular arts and entertainment hub is The Atkinson next to the train station and just off Lord Street. Opened in 2013, it’s a multi-purpose space encompassing a theatre, studio, library, museum, café, shop and exhibition space. As such, they have a wide range of events and shows during the year spanning live orchestral shows, stand up, lego-building workshops, tribute nights, kids plays and lots more. If you have time, grab a coffee, sandwich or snack from A Great Little Place, their in-house café open 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday which as well as providing great food and drinks is also a social charity raising money for Autism Initiatives UK.
Lastly, the Southport Little Theatre is a brilliant, homegrown success story that’s been at the heart of culture in the community for over a century. As well as a range of in-house amateur productions including their notorious Christmas Pantomime, they also sublet the venue to travelling productions ensuring they have several shows and plays each month. And thanks to recent renovations, the theatre now has its own bar and lounge, a new ticket office and disabled toilets.
The Atkinson
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Sport
Just a few miles south of the town centre, Royal Birkdale Golf Club is unquestionably one of the leading courses in the UK, having hosted the Open Championship 10 times since 1954 as well as two Ryder Cup meets. Founded in 1889, the links course is next to the coast and challenges you with sand dunes and a lot of tricky rough. You should also be wary of distraction, courtesy of some stunning windswept views. As befits a course of this stature, getting a tee time can be tricky – you’ll either need to be introduced as a guest of a member, or get in touch via email, letter or telephone to make a reservation and you’ll need an official handicap score before you’re considered. Visitors are welcome to explore the shop and The Bistro open for drinks, snacks and full meals.
If football is your game, Southport FC are a semi-professional team who play in The National League North, effectively the sixth tier of English football. The club’s main claim to fame is winning the Fourth Division Championship in 1973 but they’ve since skirted around non-league. Founded in 1881, the team play their home games the 6,000-capacity Haig Avenue ground on the edge of Southport with the season running from August until the end of April.