Visit the British seaside at family friendly Southport.

Whether strolling along the historic pier, visiting the Splash-World water park, the New Pleasureland or shopping on the famous Lord Street there’s plenty to do here for all the family.

Southport has a miniature railway running around the public Marine Lake, and also boasts a Model Railway Village.

For those seeking something more off the wall, why not visit the unique British Lawnmower Museum?

Also nearby is Farmer Ted’s farm park, ideal for introducing young children to rural life.

Should rain strike there are also plenty of indoors amusements including a Cinema and Bowling alley on the waterfront along with plenty of restaurants, bars and traditional pubs.

Find out more details on the Visit Southport website.

Famous for “the Angel of the North”, Anthony Gormley is well known for his stunning sculptures on a grand scale. We are lucky to have one of his masterpieces only a few miles away, easily accessible by road, bus and train.

The piece “Another Place” on nearby Crosby beach consists of around one hundred cast-iron figures. These are spread along 3km of the waterfront from Crosby to Waterloo.

Find out more here.

Why not visit Formby Sand Dunes, on the North west coast between Liverpool and Southport, and explore the stunning coastline. With so much to see and do, make the most of what is on offer.

Red squirrel at Formby Nature Reserve

Stroll through the pine woods and look out for the red squirrels. Formby is well known as a special place to see them. The tiny feisty animals feed on the ripe pine cones, but recently their numbers have fallen due to squirrel pox virus. Luckily now the recovery is well on the way, and in this protected environment, it is hoped that their long term survival can be ensured.

Wander through the sand dunes. These dunes provide an excellent home for many rare and endangered species such as the Natterjack Toad and the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle.

Formby Beach

Spend time on the beach – walk, build sand castles, play ball games, fly your kite – whatever you want to do there is plenty of space for everyone. You might even see people horse riding or sailing, and occasionally kite surfing. Erosion of the sand has revealed 5,000-year-old red deer footprints on the beach, so you may be lucky enough to find them. You can even swim in the sea here because Formby’s water quality is “good to excellent” according to the EU. But beware the water will be very cold!

Walk along the Sefton Coastal Footpath or cycle along Cheshire Lines.

Asparagus has been grown at Formby for many years. An ‘asparagus trail’ will open shortly.

For further information please call the National Trust Formby office on 01704 878591 or e-mail formby@nationaltrust.org.uk

OK, so everyone knows about Royal Birkdale Golf Club, but what about Birkdale Village itself?

Did you know that our traditional village centre shops include a dedicated cheese centre, an award winning butchers, fresh fishmongers, a hairdresser and a day spa.

We also have several cafes and bars so after a little shopping you can have your hair or nails done then stop for a coffee!

Bistrot Verite

The Retreat Cafe

Michael's

By the centre of the village is the railway station which links us to Liverpool, Southport and Manchester and makes many of the region’s attractions easy to reach.

However, in the evening you won’t have to travel far because we have a good selection of wine bars, The Park Pub and some great restaurants for you to enjoy – including three rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trip Advisor!

Butcher's shop

Flower shop

Tea Rooms

So why not give Birkdale a visit and make our guesthouse your base whether you are in the area for business or pleasure.

England’s Golf Coast – “The Finest stretch of Championship Golf in the world”

Home to 19 of the most challenging and naturally beautiful golf courses in Britain, England’s Golf Coast boasts some of the country’s most vibrant cities, exciting tourist attractions, breathtaking coastline and picturesque countryside.

Royal Birkdale

Royal Birkdale

The stunning North-West resort of Southport has some of the finest links courses in England. This is the home of , one of the best of the great golf courses to have staged The Open Championship. Formed in 1889, this rugged, challenging links course was enhanced in preparation for hosting the 2008 Open Championship. Running through high, rough dunes, the fairways are mainly flat and most tees give a clear view of the task in hand. But be careful of the wind as it whistles down the fairways from the sea.

Royal Liverpool

This venerable links course in Hoylake is one of England’s oldest and most historic. The Hoylake links can be, by turns, beautiful, uplifting, awe inspiring and, on occasion, soul-destroying. The course was enhanced before staging its 11th Open in 2006, when Tiger Woods won the title by two shots from Chris DiMarco. The course is famous for its meticulously kept greens.  Formed 1869 (9 holes) extended to 18 in 1871.

Royal Lytham & St Annes

Described by Bernard Darwin as “a beast of a golf course, but a just beast” Royal Lytham & St Annes was formed in 1886. This rugged and challenging links course may not be the longest of courses but it is hard to scramble a good score, as careful thought and accurate shots are required to avoid the 206 bunkers peppering the Fairways and surrounding the Greens.

Royal Lytham & St Annes hosts the next Open on 15 – 22 July 2012.

Formby

Course of contrasts sited among the pinewoods surrounded by dunes designated as a conservation area. Par-3s among the most challenging anywhere. Within the boundaries lies the completely independent Formby Ladies Golf Club

Formby Hall

Opened in 1996 and one of the newst courses. Water can be found on 16 holes making it a very different to the majority of links courses nearby7 Home of the U&K’s first PGA Golf Academy

Formby Ladies’

A beautiful course, short but difficult with a premium on accuracy, spectacular views towards the Irish sea. Gentlemen are welcome to play.

Hesketh

Southport’s oldest club dating from 1885. boating exceptionally outstanding clubhouse. Course of contrasts with half its holes meandering through sand dunes and the rest overlooking the spectacular Ribble Estuary.

Hillside

Widely regarded as the finest course not to have staged an Open. This beautiful course with stunning views of the surrounding area from its elevated tees has a back nine second to none. The course is situated alongside Royal Birkdale.

Hurlston Hall

Well placed traps and the finely sculptured contours of the greens, present an inspiring challenge. Not best course to practice a hook or a slice. Enjoyable course blanded into the surrounding landscape.

Southport and Ainsdale

Southport & Ainsdale

Locally known as S & A, this classic links course has narrow fairways bordered by sand-dunes, heather and gorse, making it quite difficult to play well. The original 9 hole course built in 1906 is now gone, replaced in 1923 by the 18 holes still in use today. S & A has been designated a Site of Special Scientific interest due to natterjack toads and other rare wildlife found within its boundaries.

See more here.

West Lancashire

Founded in 1873 One of the 10 oldest clubs in England. Natural under-rated course with views over the Mersey. Home to the longest hole-in-one ever recorded – Peter Richard Parkinson in June 1972 aced the 393-yard par-4 7^th hole

Other Courses

As if that wasn’t enogh there are many more courses within reach, including:

• Caldy
• Carden Park
• Fairhaven
• Heswall
• Lytham Green Drive
• Silloth-on-Solway
• St. Annes Old Links
• Wallasey
• Windermere

For more details, see England’s Golf Coast.