About this Event
A circular walking tour exploring:
- Southport’s origins, from rural sea bathing retreat to a seaside resort of style and importance
- Its reputation as THE place for shopping, leisure, and health and wellbeing in the 19th century
- The mix of French Classical, Italianate, and Art Nouveau styles that feature in its buildings and monuments
- Associations with royalty as well as national sporting heritage
- The decline in its seaside identity and transition to commuter town, and
- Recent and planned projects to modernise infrastructure, attract year-round visitors, combat climate change, and manage natural coastal change.
In celebration of the town’s first ever Year of Culture in 2026 ‘Elegantly Eccentric’ and The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July, the world’s oldest and most prestigious golf tournament.
The tour will primarily focus on the mile-long Victorian boulevard Lord Street, also known as "The Paris of the North", and The Promenade, originally built as a form of coastal defence around which the town and resort subsequently developed. As well as buildings, parks and gardens and public and street art will feature.
*Nicola Watkinson and Katherine Lynch are accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG). Nicola holds an ITG accredited Green Badge for Chester and a Blue Badge for the Liverpool City Region. Katherine holds an ITG accredited Blue Badge for the Liverpool City Region
Please arrive outside The Atkinson by10:45am to check in with your Blue Badge Guide.
Accessibility
The route is flat and on public walkways. When crossing main roads, pedestrian crossings will be used for group safety.
Getting There
Information on how to travel to The Atkinson can be found on their website https://theatkinson.co.uk/visit-us/ including by rail, bus, and car.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, United Kingdom
GBP 7.21 to GBP 9.38
