The phrase ‘spoilt for choice’ is overused but it will certainly ring true for the millions of people who flock to our gem of a destination.
I am blessed to live and work in one of the most beautiful and expansive coastlines in the country, with so much natural beauty to soak up.
Southport is not only a place to enjoy fish n' chips and build sandcastles, it is one of the largest dune systems in the UK, so many people who come here spend the day walking or cycling through it and seeing what they can spot.
Popular experiences include the Squirrel Cycle Route which links Southport to Formby - a coastal nature haven offering breath-taking sea views in the company of natterjack toads, great crested newts, lizards, wading and sea birds.
You can also breathe in the sea air walking from the pier and through Southport's parks and gardens including the stunning Hesketh Park and Botanic Gardens.
The Sefton Coastal Path is a mixture of wildlife, sandy beaches and coastal marshes meaning you can be sure to find something different every time. And you can breakdown into smaller walks to suit little legs.
Aside from the natural beauty there are fabulous diverse attractions too including Pleasureland and the elegant Atkinson Arts Centre – we even have the British Lawnmower Museum – proof we are a cut above.
We have a packed events calendar with something going on all year round and of course, there are brilliant hotels, restaurants and other sensational food venues including the refurbished Southport Market.
But don’t take my word for it – just look at the stats. The most recent data shows day visitors shot up 56.7% between 2020 and 2021 from 3.3m to 5.2m. And over the same period visitors enjoying an overnight stay rocketed by 60.4% from 350,000 to 561,000.
Steve Christian, destination development manager. visitsouthport.com
