Food & Drink
Open Weds through to Sunday, the market is jam packed with great eateries. Many of our amazing local restaurants have pop ups in here: Sushi from The Vincent, Burgers from Allotment, Greek from Pitamu, Pizza from 600 Degrees, Mexican from Hectors, Canadian from Down and Oot! Relax with friends and enjoy cocktails from the Carousel Bar.
More InformationA hop and a skip from the Stamford is Auberge, great for a sunday roast. Located on Seabank Rd
Just a 2 min walk from The Stamfor, the Bistrot is always a delight. From great breakfasts, to long lunches and delicious dinners. Take the card from reception to get a free drink.
More InformationPopular food pub in Birkdale, make sure you book ahead
A 5 min walk along Bath St and into Seabank Rd and The Windmill. A firm favourite with The Stamford, the food is big, good and great value. A traditional pub with all the charm, play some pool, throw some darts, listen to live music.
Belash opposite and Taj Mahaul a couple of doors down are excellent. As is Great Himalayas Nepalese on Lord St.
This tiny hidden secret couldn't be more cute. A traditional drinking only pub oozing character, great in the winter with its roaring fire and amazing in the summer with its terrace garden.
Trattoria 51, incredible Italian a 5 min walk away on Victoria Rd
Mamma Mia, perfect Italian, 5 min walk on Lord St
Lansdowne Bistrot, top notch dining at the back of Sainsbury
Thai Rice Southport, 2 min walk
The Jasmine Tree , 5 min walk
Plus all the wonderful cafes that are too numerous to mention
Southport history
& now
Southport is a beautiful and typically British seaside town in Merseyside, anchored to the coastline of the Irish Sea. With stunning architecture and arguably the best collection of golf courses around, it’s a must see destination.
The Mad Duke of Southport
Southport was founded in 1792 when an innkeeper named William Sutton (also known as The Mad Duke or The Old Duke) took advantage of the fashionable new trend of ‘sea bathing’ and built a bathing house on the beach near the village of North Meols. Realising the importance of the newly created canal systems, he gambled with the idea of a hotel by the seaside just 4 miles away from the newly constructed Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
He constructed his “Original Hotel” at the southern end of what is now the mile-long and much-admired Lord Street, but was nothing of the sort at the time. Rather, the project became a source of disbelief and amusement to the folk of Churchtown and Meols, who referred to William Sutton as “The Mad Duke” and the hotel as “Duke’s Folly”. The hotel was described as being ‘in the southern hawes of nowhere’ at that time, “hawes” (or “meols”) being the local word for sand dunes.
However the Mad Duke proved himself to be otherwise! Lord Street grew, with the hotel anchoring the southern end, helping to create its own more respectable address. Nowadays, the town of 93,000 still pays tribute to its founder with a notable plaque set in a cornerstone at Duke Street/Lord Street, along with a hotel just off the corner which bears the name Dukes Folly Hotel.
Lord Street dates from the 1820s when the joint Lords of the Manor, the Bold-Houghton and Fleetwood-Hesketh families, laid out a spacious street and began the policy of granting building leases which stipulated that development should not be of an industrial or offensive nature. It was first called Lords’ Street after the founding families.
The character of Lord Street and the resort however was established during and after the 1840’s with the policy of the new landlords, especially Charles Scarisbrick, of encouraging planned residential development. This policy, continued by the town’s leading citizens, was accompanied by a deliberate attempt to develop the town as a seaside resort for the ‘refined’ and ‘well to do’.
The first boulevard in the world!
Lord Street is famously believed to be one of the first boulevards in the world. The young exiled Prince Louis Napoleon took lodgings just off Lord Street for a season in 1838. Much later, when he had become Emperor Napoleon III of France, he ordered his architect to rebuild the capital.
The inspiration for Paris, perhaps…
The great boulevards which traverse Paris today are believed to have originated from the Emperor’s memories of Lord Street – tree-lined boulevards, wide pavements and shops on the west side.
By the end of the nineteenth century Southport was well established in its dual role of select residential town and high-class resort. Nowhere was this more evident than in Lord Street with its substantial hotels and public buildings, its exclusive shops and dignified public gardens.
Today Southport is a flourishing seaside and golf destination hosting many events, conferences and just generally a really good time.
Local Attractions
Boasting a beautiful and expansive coastline, Southport is surrounded by natural beauty, making it a great place to escape. Starting your journey along the coast, at Crosby beach you can experience the Anthony Gormley ‘Another Place’ art installation, 100 iron men standing proudly looking out to sea, which at various points throughout the day can be seen in very different ways, giving you a different experience every time.
Heading to Formby beach, you climb through the natural dunes until you come to the most beautiful and expansive view of the coast before your eyes. Moving towards Southport, Ainsdale beach is a haven of things to do where you can kite surf, para cart and enjoy other beach attractions and activities – perfect for active families.
Once in Southport you can leave the town behind and head to Southport beach, build sandcastles or wander down the pier and enjoy the beautiful coastal views, we are sure you won’t be disappointed!
Adding to the floral character of the town, the parks and gardens are a valuable cultural asset for the visitors and residents of Southport.
Hesketh Park is one of the largest Victorian parks in Southport. The gardens and ornate fountains have been restored and reconstructed, to bring the park back to its former glory. There are numerous nature trails, varied wildlife, a large lake and a children’s play area.
Southport’s Botanical Gardens are just a few minutes out of the Southport centre in Churchtown. 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. There is an aviary, gift shop and café too, so there’s plenty to see and explore.
King’s Gardens is a 17 acre garden located in the centre of Southport Town Centre, on the Promenade. The gardens are a hive of activity all year round and are a busy tourist attraction on the Southport seafront. Following a £5.5million award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the gardens have been restored to their former glory with Victorian shelters and the Venetian Bridge showcasing the beauty of the park. If you have little ones a visit to the play area is not to be missed, plus throughout the year King’s Gardens is host to some brilliant events, including an outdoor cinema.
With fast flumes and river rides, a relaxing bubble spa and a brand new, recently refurbished toddler area and water play area including tipping buckets and fountains. As well as the leisure pool there is another 25 metre main pool, a toddler pool, a sauna cabin and steam suite and large sports hall.
There is also a fantastic fitness suite with a massive range of state-of-the-art equipment and an activity studio with a wide and varied class programme.
Loved by all ages since 1996, Southport Model Railway Village has attracted hundreds of thousands of families and model train enthusiasts from all over the world. This spectacular attraction consists of beautiful vistas and fabulous panoramic views of the miniature landscape and railway layout.
Based upon typical southwest Lancashire architecture the site consists of a country scene, village and town. Movement is generated by one of the largest 45mm garden railway systems in the UK.
Pleasureland is Southport’s premier attraction for families looking for a wonderful place to go. There’s a fun mix of rides and amusements set around a park that’s family friendly, clean as a whistle and blooming with hanging baskets and flower beds.
It offers families a mix of thrilling roller coasters, flumes and waltzers plus loads of rides designed for younger visitors. The park also has an indoor amusement area with a coffee bar and food offering and free shows throughout the season.
Heading to Formby beach, you climb through the natural dunes until you come to the most beautiful and expansive view of the coast before your eyes. Moving towards Southport, Ainsdale beach is a haven of things to do where you can kite surf, para cart and enjoy other beach attractions and activities – perfect for active families.
Once in Southport you can leave the town behind and head to Southport beach, build sandcastles or wander down the pier and enjoy the beautiful coastal views, we are sure you won’t be disappointed!
By train, Liverpool is less than one hour away and Southport train station is in the Town Centre. With most places accessible by foot you will never be too far away from where you are staying in Southport. You can spend the day sightseeing in Liverpool and hop back on the train to Southport.
Along the way you could also stop and see the art installation by Antony Gormley ‘Another Place’ at Crosby or top off at Formby Pine Woods to see the Red Squirrels and go for a walk through the pine woods.
And if you’re feeling energetic why don’t you take one of our walking or cycling routes which explore Southport and beyond by bike or foot. You can even hire bikes at the train station so you can take the train there and cycle back.
On a sunny day you can jump the train to Formby beach with breath-taking views and Dunes to be explored.
Hope in the car to nearby Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands and next door to Windmill Animal Farm, only 20 minutes away from enjoying the outdoors of a working farm, wildlife and birds.
The Parker Brewery is a small, independent craft brewery based in Banks, Lancashire on the outskirts of Southport. The owner, Richard Parker, is from Preston and after seventeen years in wine sales working for Oddbins and House of Townend Wine Merchants, he took the plunge by opening his own microbrewery.
The brewery is a complete family orientated business, with one full time employee, Richards brother–in-law Stuart and has plans to bring on board his sister-in-law over the next 12 months. Richard has a passion for beer and intends to build a stylish brand synonymous with quality, to gather a loyal local following. The brewery opened in April 2014. It increased in size and moved to the current 5bbl plant in September 2014. The Parker Brewery supplies pubs, bars, restaurants and small independent retailers
It’s clear the British Lawnmower Museum, located in Southport since 1987, has a rather niche interest, yet this is far from limiting in terms of the exhibition experience it offers. The museum covers the continuing history of the lawnmower and even brandishes a collection of mowers donated by celebrities, perhaps none more eye catching than Prince Charles and Diana’s ride on mower. A fascination with the art of grass cutting is not essential, simply an interest in a quintessential British past time that is fading with the inimitable character of the seaside.
The theatre and studio offer the very best in live entertainment with comedians, bands, lunchtime classical music concerts and more. We host two music Festivals including Love Folk in February and the Blues Fest in October.
Visit Southport and take in a Liverpool F.C. home game or enjoy a stadium tour , see the trophy room and get a guided tour around the whole ground. Anfeild is just a short train or car journey from the Stamford.
Southport is home to the oldest Iron Pier in the country and second longest. Completed in 1860, the pier measures at 1108 metres in length and stretches from the promenade, across the town’s marina before reaching out into the Irish Sea. In the Victorian era, the pier was the stage for numerous performers including the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Now, the pier’s entertainment comes in the familiar form of arcades at its furthest tip with Funland arcade, located at the opposite end, situated at its beginning on the marina promenade.
Cut away from the hustle and bustle of the main street and you can find yourself in awe of a number of grand shopping arcades. The largest of which is Wayfarers arcade, opened in 1898, complete with towering balconies and independent shops scattered around its structure. Also located on Lord Street, just by Town Hall Gardens, is Cambridge Arcade which houses multiple restaurants and bars.
The two hour tour takes place on-board the colourful Magical Mystery Tour Bus and takes passengers on a two hour tour of all the places associated with the Fab Four! Passengers will see where John, Paul, George and Ringo grew up, met and formed the band that took the world by storm.
The tour will drive to the childhood homes of The Beatles, their birthplaces and to the places that inspired some of their most well-known songs. You guessed it, Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. Passengers of the tour will also see one of the most important places in rock and roll history – where John and Paul met for the first time.
Heading to Formby beach, you climb through the natural dunes until you come to the most beautiful and expansive view of the coast before your eyes. Moving towards Southport, Ainsdale beach is a haven of things to do where you can kite surf, para cart and enjoy other beach attractions and activities – perfect for active families.
Once in Southport you can leave the town behind and head to Southport beach, build sandcastles or wander down the pier and enjoy the beautiful coastal views, we are sure you won’t be disappointed!
Places of Interest
Pleasureland is Southport’s premier attraction for families looking for a wonderful place to go. There’s a fun mix of rides and amusements set around a park that’s family friendly, clean as a whistle and blooming with hanging baskets and flower beds.
It offers families a mix of thrilling roller coasters, flumes and waltzers plus loads of rides designed for younger visitors. The park also has an indoor amusement area with a coffee bar and food offering and free shows throughout the season.
Heading to Formby beach, you climb through the natural dunes until you come to the most beautiful and expansive view of the coast before your eyes. Moving towards Southport, Ainsdale beach is a haven of things to do where you can kite surf, para cart and enjoy other beach attractions and activities – perfect for active families.
Once in Southport you can leave the town behind and head to Southport beach, build sandcastles or wander down the pier and enjoy the beautiful coastal views, we are sure you won’t be disappointed!
With fast flumes and river rides, a relaxing bubble spa and a brand new, recently refurbished toddler area and water play area including tipping buckets and fountains. As well as the leisure pool there is another 25 metre main pool, a toddler pool, a sauna cabin and steam suite and large sports hall.
There is also a fantastic fitness suite with a massive range of state-of-the-art equipment and an activity studio with a wide and varied class programme.
Loved by all ages since 1996, Southport Model Railway Village has attracted hundreds of thousands of families and model train enthusiasts from all over the world. This spectacular attraction consists of beautiful vistas and fabulous panoramic views of the miniature landscape and railway layout.
Based upon typical southwest Lancashire architecture the site consists of a country scene, village and town. Movement is generated by one of the largest 45mm garden railway systems in the UK.
By train, Liverpool is less than one hour away and Southport train station is in the Town Centre. With most places accessible by foot you will never be too far away from where you are staying in Southport. You can spend the day sightseeing in Liverpool and hop back on the train to Southport.
Along the way you could also stop and see the art installation by Antony Gormley ‘Another Place’ at Crosby or top off at Formby Pine Woods to see the Red Squirrels and go for a walk through the pine woods.
And if you’re feeling energetic why don’t you take one of our walking or cycling routes which explore Southport and beyond by bike or foot. You can even hire bikes at the train station so you can take the train there and cycle back.
On a sunny day you can jump the train to Formby beach with breath-taking views and Dunes to be explored.
Hope in the car to nearby Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands and next door to Windmill Animal Farm, only 20 minutes away from enjoying the outdoors of a working farm, wildlife and birds.
The Parker Brewery is a small, independent craft brewery based in Banks, Lancashire on the outskirts of Southport. The owner, Richard Parker, is from Preston and after seventeen years in wine sales working for Oddbins and House of Townend Wine Merchants, he took the plunge by opening his own microbrewery.
The brewery is a complete family orientated business, with one full time employee, Richards brother–in-law Stuart and has plans to bring on board his sister-in-law over the next 12 months. Richard has a passion for beer and intends to build a stylish brand synonymous with quality, to gather a loyal local following. The brewery opened in April 2014. It increased in size and moved to the current 5bbl plant in September 2014. The Parker Brewery supplies pubs, bars, restaurants and small independent retailers
It’s clear the British Lawnmower Museum, located in Southport since 1987, has a rather niche interest, yet this is far from limiting in terms of the exhibition experience it offers. The museum covers the continuing history of the lawnmower and even brandishes a collection of mowers donated by celebrities, perhaps none more eye catching than Prince Charles and Diana’s ride on mower. A fascination with the art of grass cutting is not essential, simply an interest in a quintessential British past time that is fading with the inimitable character of the seaside.
The theatre and studio offer the very best in live entertainment with comedians, bands, lunchtime classical music concerts and more. We host two music Festivals including Love Folk in February and the Blues Fest in October.
Cut away from the hustle and bustle of the main street and you can find yourself in awe of a number of grand shopping arcades. The largest of which is Wayfarers arcade, opened in 1898, complete with towering balconies and independent shops scattered around its structure. Also located on Lord Street, just by Town Hall Gardens, is Cambridge Arcade which houses multiple restaurants and bars.
The two hour tour takes place on-board the colourful Magical Mystery Tour Bus and takes passengers on a two hour tour of all the places associated with the Fab Four! Passengers will see where John, Paul, George and Ringo grew up, met and formed the band that took the world by storm.
The tour will drive to the childhood homes of The Beatles, their birthplaces and to the places that inspired some of their most well-known songs. You guessed it, Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. Passengers of the tour will also see one of the most important places in rock and roll history – where John and Paul met for the first time.
Heading to Formby beach, you climb through the natural dunes until you come to the most beautiful and expansive view of the coast before your eyes. Moving towards Southport, Ainsdale beach is a haven of things to do where you can kite surf, para cart and enjoy other beach attractions and activities – perfect for active families.
Once in Southport you can leave the town behind and head to Southport beach, build sandcastles or wander down the pier and enjoy the beautiful coastal views, we are sure you won’t be disappointed!
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The Stamford Southport 17 Bath Street, Southport PR9 0DP
