Between Liverpool And Blackpool Is A Scenic Coastal Town With Beach Beauty, Shops, And A Walkable Main Street

Sandy stretches of beach with undulating dunes plus a strollable, shop-filled main street that may have inspired Parisian promenades are unexpectedly tucked along the U.K.'s northwestern shores. The historic town of Southport has been a destination for sea-seekers since 1792. Around 1820, it's main thoroughfare, Lord Street, was laid out and began welcoming businesses. It soon became one of the world's first boulevards with wide, tree-lined sidewalks dotted with shops that France's Emperor Napoleon III, who was once exiled to Southport, is said to have mimicked when redesigning Paris. 

Today, Victorian facades and iron-framed glass canopies still line mile-long Lord Street, a popular shopping destination. Find fashion, antique, gift, and a multitude of other shops along this pedestrian-friendly promenade along with al fresco cafés and restaurants. Galleries, second-hand stores, and independent boutiques also add appeal for Lord Street browsers. 

When seeking nature, head to the 22 miles of coastline that surrounds Southport, extending south to the town of Crosby. Two beaches are found in the town's immediate vicinity: Southport and Ainsdale. Each has its own distinctions and draws for visitors and locals alike. 

Before hitting the beach, plan your outdoor adventures while perusing items along Lord Street. Well over a century old, the indoor Wayfarers Shopping Arcade is centrally located on Lord, and populated by art exhibitions, jewelers, antique shops, boutiques, and more. A dramatic, Victorian-style entrance greets shoppers upon arrival, with its lofty, rounded glass and iron ceiling extending the length of the arcade and offering protection from the elements. 

Much like Liverpool just 20 miles away, Southport is an ideal place to avoid the chaos of London and set about shopping with fewer crowds. Lord Street, Southport's main thoroughfare, runs north-to-south between Chapel and Nevill Streets. Overhead along the street's east side are eye-catching wrought-iron-framed glass canopies keeping shoppers dry during drizzly days. 

Lord Street was designed during the 19th century when Southport was establishing itself as a high-end seaside resort destination for the U.K.'s upper class. Architecture was functional and visually appealing, and the street was laid out with elegance and walkability in mind. Trees and flowers guide pedestrians along the spacious sidewalks. It's said to be one of the first boulevards on the planet.

Located between Liverpool and Blackpool like nearby Formby, the coastal town of Southport was established as a destination for sea bathing in 1792, a chic and trendy activity of the day for Britain's upper class. Building of a bathing house that year was followed by the construction of the Southport Hotel in 1798.

Southport Beach's vast expanses of golden sand invites shell hunters and beach baskers. At the end of each summer, find thousands of birds here returning from their summer breeding grounds. One of the best places to spot birds any time of the year at Southport Beach is Marshside RSPB, which stands for Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Hides and viewing platforms allow birdwatchers of all skill levels to scope out flittering flocks playing in the seaside. Five miles from Southport is Ainsdale Beach. While Spain boasts the world's largest number of sparkling clean Blue Flag beaches, Ainsdale Beach is among the U.K.'s most pristine, having been awarded an international Blue Flag multiple times for its cleanliness, sustainability, and diligent environmental management. Extreme kiting activities such as kitesurfing on the water and kite buggying in designated areas along the rolling dunes draw adventurers to Ainsdale Beach. For a less adrenaline-filled beach experience, meander the Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Nature Reserve where rare and lovely flora and fauna can be found. 

Get to Southport from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) by driving an hour or less north. From Manchester Airport (MAN), take a train to Southport, or travel by car northwest about an hour as well. Or road trip from London and explore more of the U.K. on the 4.5-hour journey by car.