Out and About in Southport

Southport not only boasts superb golf courses, non-stop entertainment and the opening up of new attractions all the time, but it is also right next to miles of beautiful sandy beaches and top class shopping facilities.

The Ramada Plaza Southport is in the centre of all of these local attractions, making it the ideal place to make your base. All of the sight-seeing will make you hungry after a while. But you can satisfy your cravings by eating at one of the mouth-watering Southport restaurants.

There really is an enormous amount to do in regards to entertainment in Southport, and you can find it all on the hotel’s doorstop. You can find out more about bookings for these Southport events at the hotel. For example, Southport offers one of the best programme of events in the country, including:

- The Southport Flower Show
- Southport Summer Classics 
- The Southport Airshow
- The British Musical Fireworks Championships
- Southport Comedy Week 
- The Southport International Jazz Festival

The classic resort also has many events for all the family to enjoy, including:

Southport Pier

Britain's second longest pier has been completely refurbished at a cost of £7 million. This fabulous pier has recently won the 'Pier of the year' award.

Southport pier has had several setbacks in its history, but none were as close to destroying the pier as in 1990, when Sefton Council applied to have it demolished, only to be defeated by a single vote.

Now a Grade II listed structure, Southport Pier, under the Southport Pier Trust, has gained sufficient funding to totally redevelop the pier with financing from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Merseyside Objective.

Marine Lake

This is one of the largest man-made leisure pursuit lakes in England. It is home to various watersport clubs in Southport, including sailing, water-skiing and rowing. Marine Lake is also home to The Southport Belle - a Mississippi style paddle steamer that will take you on a scenic tour along Southport's Victorian seafront.

Botanic Gardens

Originally opened in 1874, these classic Victorian gardens are rich in history and beauty. The gardens are packed full of floral displays and wildlife. It also boasts a winding lake, which is the length of the park. Take a boat trip or enjoy some of the best walks in Merseyside.

The National Trust, Formby

Formby has a wonderful stretch of unspoilt coastline set between the sea and Formby town, offering miles of walks through the woods and dunes. You can also find plenty of interesting plants and birds in this area and this is one of the last places in England where visitors may catch a glimpse of the rare red squirrel.

The Sefton Coast

The Sefton Coast lies between the estuaries of the Mersey and Ribble in North-West England. The sand dunes, beaches and marshes of the Sefton Coast are one of the most important areas for nature conservation in Europe. The Sefton Coast is also an important visitor destination, with popular bathing beaches, open countryside and the seaside resort of Southport.

Windmill Animal Farm

Opened in 1992, this children's farming attraction offers visitors the chance to experience the every day running of an actual working farm, while still having the chance to watch, feed, touch and play with animals.

As well as having these beautiful and unusual animals to see, the farm has three marvelous children's play areas: The indoor play barn, which is one of the largest in the North West, the new outdoor play area by the main farm complex and the second new outdoor play area by Lake View, which can be reached by a beautiful miniature train that crosses the farm.

Pedal tractors can also be ridden around the farm by the children, who are welcome to step into the "Children's Pet Area" to feed and play with the animals.

Splash World!

This is Southport's newest indoor water park, providing plenty of fun for kids and the rest of the family to really go crazy on all the slides and water attractions.

Knowsley Safari Park

Knowsley Safari Park was opened to the public in July 1971 by the 18th Earl of Derby. Back then, 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. In 1994, Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl, succeeded to the title. The estate, being only eight miles from Liverpool city centre, was the first safari park to be built close to a large city.

Southport Model Railway Village

Since 1996, Southport Model Railway Village has been attracting families and model train enthusiasts from all over the world. This spectacular Model Village consists of beautiful vistas and fabulous panoramic views of the miniature landscape and Model Trains.

If you are interested in more information about trips to any of these attractions during your stay at the Ramada Plaza Southport Hotel, please contact us.

Other Useful links:

http://www.visitsouthport.com
http://www.visitliverpool.com