Southport

Southport resort was founded in the late 18th century when an entrepreneurial innkeeper named William Sutton established a sea-bathing house amongst the sand dunes.

Southport is the complete antithesis of Blackpool, which is only fifteen miles up the coast. Instead of bright lights and kiss me quick hats you will find award winning parks and gardens, elegant shops on tree lined boulevards and six championship golf courses, including Royal Birkdale. Southport’s fascination for gardening is celebrated at the annual flower show held in Victoria Park.

The Botanic Gardens Museum has a good collection of Victoriana as well as information on local history. The Atkinson Art Collection has a good collection of 19th and 20th century paintings and sculpture and for something a little out of the ordinary head to the Lawn Mower Museum in Shakespeare Street.