landmark
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Iconic seaside amusement park on England's northwest coast operating since 1896 with historic and modern coasters.
16 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Southport
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Southport
Southport is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Banks, 46km from Trough of Bowland.
Southport is in England, United Kingdom, with about 92,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Banks, about 7 km away.
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. It lies on the West Lancashire coastal plain and the east coast of the Irish Sea, approximately 17 miles (27 km) north of Liverpool and 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Preston. At the 2021 census, Southport had a population ofRead more
94,421, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England and the third most populous settlement in the Liverpool City Region.
The town was founded in 1792 by William Sutton, an innkeeper from Churchtown, who built a bathing house at what is now the south end of Lord Street. The area was previously known as South Hawes, and was sparsely populated and dominated by dunes. The area became popular with tourists due to the easy access from the nearby Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and by 1848 had a railway connection. The resort increased during the Victorian era and contains examples of Victorian architecture and town planning. Lord Street was developed as a wide, tree-lined shopping street, and attractions such as Southport Pier, which is the second longest seaside pleasure pier in the British Isles, were constructed. A particular feature of the town is the extensive tree planting. This was one of the conditions required by the Hesketh family when they made land available for development in the 19th century. Hesketh Park at the northern end of the town is named after them, having been built on land donated by Rev. Charles Hesketh.
Where to Stay in Southport
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Southport?
Within an hour or so of Southport: Blackpool Pleasure Beach (16 km), Aintree Motor Racing Circuit (19 km), Trough of Bowland (46 km), Chester Zoo (47 km).
Are there any good drives near Southport?
The nearest famous roads are Trough of Bowland, Great Orme Marine Drive and Horseshoe Pass.
Where is Southport?
Southport is in England, United Kingdom, about 7 km from Banks.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 91,703
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 53.6458, -3.0101
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Southport
6 notable places within an hour's drive.
racetrack
Aintree Motor Racing Circuit
Historic circuit inside Aintree Racecourse that hosted five British Grands Prix in the 1950s-60s, where Stirling Moss took his first home GP win. Club sprints still run on the old track.
19 km · about 20 min drive
famous road
Trough of Bowland
Remote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
46 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Chester Zoo
The UK's most-visited zoo housing over 35,000 animals across 128 acres with award-winning conservation programs.
47 km · about 55 min drive
cafe
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
Manchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.
54 km · about 65 min drive
racetrack
Oulton Park
A picturesque Cheshire circuit winding through parkland with dramatic elevation changes, a favourite of British club and national racing.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Southport
27 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 46 kmTrough of BowlandRemote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
- 66 kmGreat Orme Marine DriveOne-way Victorian toll road looping 4 miles around the cliffs of the Great Orme headland at Llandudno, with sheer limestone drops, seabirds and views to Anglesey and the Irish Sea.
- 72 kmHorseshoe PassSweeping A542 mountain pass curling above Llangollen in a giant horseshoe, climbing to 417m past the Ponderosa Cafe with wide views over the Dee Valley. A classic North Wales driving and biking road.
- 72 kmHorseshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant)A sweeping 417m moorland pass on the A542 above Llangollen, with the Ponderosa cafe at the top and views to the Berwyns.
- 74 kmEvo TriangleLegendary 20-mile loop of the A5, A543 and B4501 across the empty Denbigh Moors, made famous as evo magazine's road-test circuit. Fast, open sightlines past Llyn Brenig make it a pilgrimage for keen drivers.
- 74 kmCorney Fell RoadA single-track fell road climbing from the Duddon valley to over 300 m with sweeping views across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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