Southport, a place where the beach is so long that you never see the sea.
It is rather strange writing about Southport. It is place that I have been to many a time. There are so many memories. Walking the dog along the beach. Spotting red squirrels in Formby national park. The Blackpool illuminations. Visiting farm shops to buy potatoes (they’re better in the North). Walking the pier. Helping my sister to find a man at Gormley’s Another Place. And, of course, visiting my Granny and Grandpa on Brocklebank Road.
Whilst I can no longer go to theirs for tea (and the obligatory biscuit), my parents do still own a house in Birkdale. As they were back in the country (they live in Qatar for most of the year), Ivan and I decided to hire a car and set northwards.
Southport
Southport is a large town on the Irish Sea, with Liverpool lying to the South and Manchester to the South West. It must have been beautiful during its heyday, as a seaside resort. With grand building, a beautiful beach and a long pier. The town although now dilapidated in parts, continues to have some of its former glamour and charm. As the home of the annual Flower Show, it also does have some very good hanging baskets, botanical gardens and parks.
There is also plenty to do. If you’re into rollercoasters, there is a theme park on the beach. The rollercoasters aren’t massive but it still managed to scare me! There is also lots of transport related activities: a model railway, a lawnmower museum and an annual Air Show.
The Beaches
The beaches are beautiful, especially if you have some warm weather. In addition to Southport beach (which has a long pier and occasionally some donkeys), there are big sand dunes between Birkdale and Woodvale. My favourite is Formby, which is National Trust. Once you finally make it through the forest (watch out for red squirrels) and clambered up the dunes, the beach is extensive. It is great for a run (Red Rum, the race horse was even trained here), some beach combing or a paddle. You can also see big ferries coming in across the Irish Sea.
Further afield
Whilst beaches are the main pull of the area, it is perfect for exploring further afield:
- Birkdale has a very famous golf course, where you can hit some balls.
- You can go and hunt yellow submarines in Liverpool.
- Wander around many a National Trust… Tatton Park is nice.
- Watch football in Manchester.
- Visit the Blackpool illuminations.
