10 Southport attractions you’ll love to end the 2022 summer holidays in style

It’s the final week of the school summer holidays, with millions of children due back at school soon – so it’s time to end it in style!

Through Bank Holiday Monday today and throughout the week, there are so many reasons for families to visit Southport and to enjoy the many attractions on offer.

Here are some of the things that end the summer holidays in style – please let us know what you love the most!

1 – Silcock’s Funland and Carousel 

Silcock’s Carousel in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Creating a grand entrance to Southport Pier is Silcock’s Funland, Southport’s largest family amusement centre. The historic Silcock’s Carousel is directly in front, with Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant to the side.

This all-weather centre is open every day, all year round, whatever the weather.

Funland offers more fun for all the family with children’s games, rides and Southport’s best Ticket Game Zone where the games are fun to play and easy to win.

Inside Funland you will find the £1 Snack Bar offering toasties, paninis, sandwiches, fries, jacket potatoes, snacks and hot & cold drinks from just £1.

On TripAdvisor, Lynne1153 posted: “Our family visited here whilst on holiday. The venue was really clean with lots of staff on hand to help if required.

“I particularly liked the excellent choice of prizes for children to exchange their tokens for.

“There was something for everyone. Thank you!”

2 – Southport Pleasureland 

With lots to see and do, rides to suit everyone Southport Pleasureland is a fantastic day out for the whole family. Clean, bright and bursting with activities for the whole family, Southport’s premier leisure attraction is sure to bring fun and laughter to every visitor.

The park has been expanded with new rides to experience, a new coffee area serving beautiful Illy coffee, fun and games on the stalls, gift shop, food and drink outlets. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

Harry posted: “Very great place to go with family! Plenty of rides all with different levels of thrill. Went with my husband and four kids. Came from London and it was worth the journey. My favourite ride was the roller coaster with the loop, I’m not sure of the name. My family loved it!!!”

3 – Model Railway Village 

Southport Model Railway Village is a Model Village with a difference. The attraction is designed with the rail enthusiast in mind. If you or your children enjoy watching trains then this is the place for you. Set in a peaceful and tranquil miniature landscape the attraction allows for total relaxation.

Quinnydan17 posted: “The model railway village was a lovely place to visit. A lot of love and attention to detail has been put into this. The houses, castle and cars were all painted well and the trains were running around the village with steam sounds. The signal boxes worked stopping the trains when needed. We were welcomed by a lady in the kiosk who gave us a quiz to do. A great idea as it makes you really look at the exhibits properly. A great place to visit in Southport.”

4 – Marine Lake 

The Southport Jet on the Marine Lake in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

At Marine Lake you’ll find a choice of water based activities to keep the whole family entertained. Marine Lake also has pedalos and motor boats for hire as well as offering high speed rides on a power boat.

Tracy R posted: “Fantastic place when the weather is fine. There’s a cafe, pub, daytime outside entertainment, swans paddle boats, motor boats, jet boats, crazy golf, model railway, a children’s play area and plenty of nice areas to walk. We visited as a family of 9 and tried everything on separate days. Plenty to do.”

5 – Viking Adventure Golf and Big Wheel Southport at Southport Pleasureland 

The new Viking Adventure Golf at Southport Pleasureland is a great place for families to enjoy. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The brand new 18-hole Viking adventure golf course at Southport Pleasureland has opened this summer!

It joins the spectacular 35 metre high Big Wheel Southport, an impressive new observation wheel that provides stunning views across the coast on one side, and out towards the Marine Lake and Southport town centre on the other.

The new Viking Golf attraction provides multi-sensory entertainment and pure escapism for families “on a different scale” to what they have seen before thanks to a £1million transformation.

The site is filled with: over 100 trees; hundreds of plants of different colours, shapes and scents; hundreds of gallons of water flowing throughout the course; a new ‘longhouse’ themed eatery and bar; plus lots of specially created Viking themed props, including hundreds of custom made wooden Viking warrior shields.

The adventure golf course is environmentally sensitive too with wood used for construction reclaimed from the former zoo which stood nearby several years ago and from trees which were blown down during the fierce storms which struck the coastline earlier this year.

Take a ride too on the historic Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway.

6 – Southport Pier 

Enjoy the traditional Victorian pier containing many refreshment concessions, a road train and a lovely cafe bar at the end with scenic views and an old penny arcade!

At the entrance to the Pier are a number of fun attractions too including: Silcock’s Carousel, Silcock’s Funland, Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant, and the Hall of Mirrors!

Markmassey88 posted: “Perfect for a nice walk. The pier is long enough that many will find the distance to the end and back a suitable walk. There are enough little ice cream and refreshment stops along the pier for those that don’t fancy going the full way. Partners that have been dragged along, rest assured, you can have a beer at the end whilst you sit and enjoy the views. If you are really lucky, you might see the fabled sea!”

7 – The Atkinson 

The exhibition Built on Sand 200 years of Southport’s changing street scene is at The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport from Saturday, June 18th 2022 to September 2022. An early painting of Lord Street in Southport

The Atkinson, on Lord Street, is Southport’s home for music, theatre, art, literature and history.

The venue offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer.

Current exhibitions include: Built on Sand: 200 Years of Southport’s Changing Street Scene; Barnum in the Blood: Six Generations, One Passion; Southport’s Victorian Visitors; D.U.K.W.s to Water; and others.

On display on the ground floor created through the World Reimagined initiative.

Tayyheads posted: “Love the history Of. Southport and interesting facts on the area lots to see in a well laid area. The staff are knowledgeable and it is to get round the museum and exhibitions. Lovely coffee shop, good food and friendly staff.”

8 – Botanic Gardens, Churchtown

Just a few minutes out of the Southport centre in Churchtown is Southport’s Botanic Gardens.

Originally opened in 1874, these Victorian gardens are bursting with floral splendour and colourful displays.

Winding through the park is the garden’s lake and a multitude of pathways. Don’t miss the Victorian Fernery, open year round, it houses a wonderful display of ferns of all shapes and sizes.

There is an aviary, gift shop and café too, so there’s plenty to see and explore.

Solo posted: “The fernery is absolutely magical. I would recommend everybody to visit it. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. Congratulations to all the volunteers for their hard work. It was well worth a visit.”

9 – Ocean Plaza 

Playtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Enjoy a day of bowling at TenPin Bowling; take your children for a fun session at Playtown; or see the latest movies at Vue Cinema.

Ocean Plaza also boasts local restaurants including Roberto’s, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and others, and a number of shops such as Dunelm, Matalan and Pets at Home.

The leisure and retail park is next to Southport Pier, Southport Beach and Marine Lake, with lots of nearby attractions to explore.

10 – British Lawnmower Museum 

The world’s largest lawnmower, one of the many exhibits at the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport

The nation’s foremost garden machinery collection, a multi-award winning unique museum of over 250 restored machines on Shakespeare Street in Southport.

See lawnmowers of the rich and famous including Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

See the fastest, the most expensive, to the first robots, extensive archive, audio and guided tours.

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