The trail of colourful bears throughout Southport have been “a huge success” during the February Half Term holiday.
Families are being encouraged to enjoy their final weekend before children go back to school by trying out the fun trail, discovering 10 colourful bear sculptures all inspired by the popular children’s book ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’. The trail has been created by Southport BID and Sefton Council.
Visitors from across the region have been coming into Southport town centre to see the popular new attraction, including one of the most colourful – ‘Jester’ – standing proudly outside Silcock’s Funland and Carousel on the Promenade.
Silcock’s Carousel, which was voted the 4th Best UK Seaside Attraction in the 2023 Coast Magazine Bucket And Spade Awards, has been spinning round non-stop after reopening for February Half Term after its annual programme of maintenance and cleaning during winter.
Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant and the Balcony Bar has been serving up fish and chips.
Southport’s largest family amusement centre, Silcock’s Funland, has also been open each day.
Silcock Leisure Group Operations Head Of Operations Serena Silcock-Prince said:
“The bears in Southport have been a huge success! They have been so popular, including the ‘Jester’ bear that we have outside Silcock’s Funland and the Carousel.
“During Half Term week there have been families queuing up to have their pictures taken with our bear.
“We have spoken with families who have come to enjoy the bear hunt trail from Liverpool; from Manchester; from Lancashire.
“People have been travelling from all over to come and visit Southport to see them, it’s been a really fun new attraction.
“We have some bear trail maps in Funland with lots of visitors calling in to collect them.
“It has been a brilliant February Half Term already, and we can’t wait to see everyone coming to see us during this final weekend before the schools go back.
“Over the past few days it has been fantastic to see so many families back out enjoying themselves again in Southport town centre.
“There has been so much for people to do, and we’ve loved seeing everyone with big smiles on their faces.”
Herbert Silcock’s Golden Gallopers, an iconic 124-year-old attraction, was built in the Victorian era and features a beautiful Gavioli organ. It has delighted generations of visitors to Southport.
‘Jester’ is one of 10 bear sculptures inspired by the ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’ children’s books which have been placed in locations around Southport town centre by Southport BID and Sefton Council.
You can download a trail map from the Southport BID website, with the chance to win prizes if you find all 10.
The Bear Hunt Trail is in Southport until 27th April 2025.
Serena Silcock-Prince said:
“The Bear Hunt Trail has become a wonderful attraction for Southport and it’s a great thing for families to enjoy during Half Term, as well as a lovely way of encouraging people to explore Southport and discover all our town has to offer.
“There are lots of events and things to do throughout Southport this February.”
- For more details please visit: www.silcock-leisure.co.uk
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