Readers have been busy helping us to compile the ultimate Southport “bucket list” – a series of things to do in Southport before you die.

Some will take a bit more effort than others and some you might be able to tick off already, but all should be good fun and leave you feeling like a true Sandgrounder.

From seeing Southport Air Show, to taking in the Flower Show, to watching the sun set over Ainsdale Beach – it seems there is no shortage of things to experience in our great town.

How many have you ticked off?

Let us know what you think should be included – either email us at: visiter news@southportvisiter.co.uk or leave comments under this article

1. Discover the secrets of the forgotten underground street below Nevill Street
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This was by far the most popular suggestion on our list. People are fascinated by Southport’s greatest mystery.

Exactly what remains of the old shopping street which used to run between Lord Street and the beach, before a new road was built above it?

Rod Bleackley, who runs the popular Southport Yesteryear page on Facebook, said: “Finally lay to rest the ghost of the shops under Nevill Street. A one-off guided tour, take photos of whatever’s left and stop everyone, me included, wondering ‘what if?’.”

Rachel Evans said: “I would love to see what is hidden underneath Nevill Street, it’s one of our town’s many mysteries.”

And Jo Mills said: “I’d love to see the hidden shops under Nevill Street.”

 

2. Take a stroll down to the end of Southport Pier

 

So say Del Watkins and Adam Fowler, among others.

The Grade II-listed structure is the second longest in Britain after Southend Pier, stretching more than a kilometre out towards the sea (1,112 metres/1,216yds/3,648ft).

Southport Pier was officially opened on Monday, August 2, 1860, with a lavish ceremony.

A committee had been formed in the spring of 1852 to promote a pier and a design from James Brunlees was approved at a cost of £8,700 in 1859.

Using Brunlees’s pile “jetting” system, construction was swift, and the full length was completed almost exactly 12 months later.

At the grand opening, guests enjoyed processions, banquets, illuminations and fireworks.

Jo Mills said: “To stand at the end of the pier and watch a thunderstorm sweep the bay, hit the Welsh mountains and circle across Blackpool before coming around again.”

Gary Thomason said: “Enjoy the views from Southport Pier, followed by a pint in the Guelder Rose, then fish and chips from the Sandgrounder, followed by a pink and white ice cream from ­Rossi’s.”

 

3. Southport, like any seaside town, is famous for our  ice cream parlours.

 

Adam Fowler suggested: “Eat the famous Rossi knickerbocker glory ice cream.”

Libby Howells said: “Have an ice cream from Rossi’s, on Lord Street!”

And Rachel Evans said: “Enjoy a proper knickerbocker glory in Rich’s Ice Cream Parlour,”

 

4. Watch Southport Air Show.

 

This has become one of the best events in Britain, with record numbers of people attending last year to see aircraft including The Red Arrows, two Lancasters, and a Typhoon. This year’s show will be September 19-20.

 

5. Visit The Atkinson.

 

The landmark building on Lord Street opened last year following a £20m transformation.

The new museum will officially open next month with a special exhibition, Between Land and Sea – 10,000 years of Sefton’s Coast, while a stunning art exhibition featuring works by LS Lowry and Theodore Major opened last Saturday.

Michelle Suzanne said: “Afternoon out at our new museum!”

Louise Heys suggested: “A visit to The Atkinson, library, shop, cafe, two theatres, Egyptian gallery, art galleries and in a few weeks the Museum all under one roof!”

 

6. Cheer on Southport FC at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

 

The Sandgrounders won national acclaim for their superb FA Cup third round performance away at Derby County recently.

And now Gary Brabin’s side are keen to generate a great atmosphere at the ground as they bid to cement their league place.
As for the future – who knows?

Southport’s Ramada Plaza hotel manager Enda Rylands said: “Watch Southport FC in the Premier League!”

 

7. Enjoy Southport’s wildlife.

 

Our area is a haven for thousands of birds, with the marshland north of the pier dedicated as a site of Special Scientific Interest.

Simon Glinn said: “Watch and hear the first skeins of pink-footed geese overhead as they arrive back in the autumn, and see avocets and both black and bar-tailed godwits in the spring. There are probably 32 bird-related events you could witness in Southport that other parts of the country don’t get to enjoy.

“Oh, and reinstate the very special ornithological taxidermy exhibits that used to be at the Botanic Gardens Museum: that had some unique value, too.”

John Bannon said: “Experience 20,000 pink-footed geese gaggling their way out to the Ribble sandbanks at dusk from the Coastal Road, near Marshside, in late October to March.”

 

8. Support Southport Rugby Football Club.

 

Del Watkins said: “Watch a quality game of rugby at one of the world’s oldest clubs – Southport Rugby Club.”

The club, based at Waterloo Road, is one of the world’s oldest, and celebrated its 140th anniversary.

And if you’re feeling really fit – you can sign up for their attempt to break the world record for the world’s longest ever rugby match on  July 31!

 

9. Visit Southport Flower Show.

 

The event has become one of the biggest in Britain’s gardening calendar, with thousands of people flocking to Victoria Park to visit the famous show grounds and floral marquees.

This year’s event takes place August 20-23.

 

10. Sample Southport’s superb food.

 

Southport potted shrimps are the best in the world and the town’s shrimping heritage goes back centuries.

Celebrity chef Marcus Wareing is among fans of the delicacy.

Simon Glinn said: “Marsh samphire, razor clams, cockles and shrimps.”

Within a stone’s throw of Southport, you can also enjoy salt marsh lamb from Hesketh Bank, Formby asparagus, tomatoes and other salads grown in Banks, which also boasts one of Britain’s biggest chilli growing farms.

 

11. Enjoy a day out at Botanic Gardens, Hesketh Park or Victoria Park.

 

Liza Rowland said: “Feed the ducks in Botanic Gardens.”

Adam Yaffe said: “I’d suggest a walk round our beautiful Hesketh Park and Botanic Gardens.”

Marion Hynes said: “Keeping Botanic Gardens for everyone to see its beauty.”

Gareth Lang said: “Botanic gardens is a must, possibly when a brass band is on.”

 

12. Visit the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport.

 

The museum on Shakespeare Street is currently under expansion. There are around 200 items of British mechanical history on display, but curator Brian Radam has more than 1,000 mowers in storage.

Brian May, Jean Alexander, Vanesa Feltz, Nicholas Parsons, Alan Titchmarsh, Paul O’Grady and Eric Morecambe have all donated mowers and gardening equipment to the museum over the years.

 

13. Dress as a ghoul at Hallowe’en.

 

Southport Business Improvement District last year started the Spookport festival, with the aim of making Southport the Hallowe’en capital of the UK.

Why not dress up and take part in this year’s Southport Hallowe’en Festival along Lord Street, sign up for the Zombie Run in King’s Gardens, or enjoy Happy Hallowe’en at Southport Pleasurerland.

 

14. Enjoy a tour of Meols Hall, in Churchtown.

 

Meols Hall dates back to the late 12th century, when the manor was granted to Robert de Coudray of Penwortham. The manor has since passed down through marriage and inheritance, and in the 16th century became part of the property of a branch of the Heskeths of Rufford.

The historical manor house occasionally invites visitors inside.

And while there why not go on to see the picturesque village of Churchtown, with the whitewashed cottages, antique shops, and St Cuthbert’s Church, before enjoying a delicious afternoon tea in one of the various local pubs, cafes or restaurants.

 

15. Take a trip to Southport and Ainsdale beaches.

 

Southport once brought thousands of tourists flocking to our resort to enjoy the “seven miles of golden sands”.

And while much of that is now grassed over, Ainsdale Beach is still stunning, and home to outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy sports such as kite surfing.

Michelle Suzanne said: “Watch the sunset from Ainsdale Beach.”

 

16. Enjoy fish chips from one of our superb chippies.

 

What’s better than enjoying a trip to the seaside and sitting down with a tasty tray of freshly cooked fish, chips and mushy peas?

Southport boasts some of the best chippies in Britain.

Adam Fowler and Sheila Brookfield suggested The Swan, on Stanley Street; Lesley Jackson went for Jackson’s, on Nevill Street. Fylde Fish Bar, in Marshside, was recently shortlisted for the UK’s Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year.

Where’s your favourite?

 

17. Promenade along Lord Street.

 

Britain’s most elegant shopping thoroughfare was laid out in the early 19th century.

In 1846, future Emperor of the French, Napoleon III, lived for a brief period in lodgings just off Lord Street. It is claimed the street is the inspiration behind the tree-lined boulevards of Paris and is home to some great shops, cafes and restaurants.

 

18. Watch the sea come all the way up Southport Beach.

 

This one may be a challenge . . .

People can wait a long time to see the sea come all the way up Southport Beach

 

19. Do the Southport Mad Dog 10k run.

 

This year’s event takes place on Sunday, February 8, and has been voted the best 10k run in Britain by Runners World magazine.

It is organised by volunteers from Southport Hesketh Round Table and money raised goes to local charities.

 

20. Have a laugh at Southport Comedy Festival.

 

This amazing event, organised by local comedian Brendan Riley, gets bigger every year, with comedy gigs for people of all ages.

Last year’s acts enjoyed seven sell-out shows, and included the likes of Sean Hughes, Paul Sinha, Jason Cook, Paul Tonkinson, Zoe Lyons, Jason Byrne, Adam Staunton, Steve Royle, John Harding and Tony Law.

Look out for details of this year’s event, to take place in October.

 

21. Enjoy a pint in Britain’s smallest pub

 

Southport Comedy festival organiser Brendan Riley said: “Have a pint in the Lakeside!”

The diminutive hostelry has hosted a wide variety of stars over the years, whose pictures adorn its walls.

But Southport also has lots of superb pubs: The Bold and the Hesketh Arms in Churchtown; the Fisherman’s Rest and The Park in Birkdale; and in Southport the likes of The Guest House, The Sandgrounder, The Phoenix, The Wellington, The Imperial, and many more besides. Why not make up your own pub crawl!

 

22. Play a round of golf.

 

Southport boasts “Britain’s golf coast” with a stunning variety of courses to choose from; Royal Birkdale, Southport Ainsdale, Hesketh Golf Club, Southport Old Links and more.

Or, for golf with a bit more fun, Jo Mills suggested: “Crazy golf by the lakeside cafe.”

 

23. Enjoy Southport Arts Festival.

 

Tony Wynne organised Southport’s first Arts Festival last year, with attractions including a cartoon festival, a street art festival, art exhibitions, and a poetry night.

A committee has now been set up to put together this year’s event.

Tony said: “Attend a cracking Southport Arts Festival – see great art, see great bands, hear some amazing poetry and dance until your feet give in!”

 

24. Visit the British Musical Fireworks Championship.

 

A fantastic event organised by Sefton Council, which sees pyrotechnic companies from across the UK battle it out to produce the most spectacular fireworks display, set to music.

Having a splashing time at Splash World.

Enjoy a wide range of flumes and river rides, a relaxing bubble spa and a brand new, recently refurbished toddler pool and water play area including tipping buckets and fountains, so there’s gallons of watery fun for everyone.

 

25. Run the Southport Race For Life.

 

One of the town’s most emotional events, this year’s Cancer Research UK Race for Life takes place at Princes Park, in Southport, on Sunday, June 7.

 

26. Get into the festive spirit with the Southport Christmas Lights switch-on.

 

We have some amazing Christmas lights along Lord Street thanks to Southport BID.

And the annual Southport Christmas Lights Switch On, which takes place in November, was taken to new heights last year with The Drifters, and stars from Coronation Street, among those entertaining the crowds.

 

27. Enjoy all the fun of the fair.

 

People have been coming to enjoy fairground rides in Southport for generations.

Today, Norman Wallis is the proud owner of Southport Pleasureland, adding new attractions to the park every year.

 

28.  Become a fashionista at Southport Fashion Show

 

Southport Fashion Show has become a popular annual event with fashionistas from across the North West.

The event takes place at Southport Theatre Convention Centre, with the 2015 show being held on Sunday, March 29.

Numerous fashion and beauty companies from the area display their latest goodss, with models taking to the catwalk.

Event organiser Lisa Hames said: “This show is all about Southport. There are a lot of fantastic clothes shops in the local area, not just on Lord Street but on the surrounding streets, and in places like Ormskirk and Formby. There are some great fashion websites which are operating locally as well.”

 

29. Visit the Marine Lake.

 

Southport’s Marine Lake is an amazing attraction, with so many things to do.

Rachel Evans said: “I would love to have a go on the Southport Belle.”

Or you could walk around the lake, in the King’s Gardens, recently restored in a £5.5m scheme.

You could enjoy the bumper boats, zorb on the lake in a giant inflatable plastic ball or pedalo across it.

Southport Scouts have their headquarters, Waterside Lodge, at the lake and run a number of activities.

And enjoy the lake’s highlight of the year, the 24 Hour Yacht Race.

Just try not to swim in it . . .

 

30. Subscribe to the Southport Visiter.

 

One of Britain’s oldest newspapers celebrated our 170th birthday last year!

Follow in the footsteps of generations of Sandgrounders by catching up on all the latest news in the Midweek Visiter and the Southport Visiter newspapers, or visit www.southportvisiter.co.uk

 

31. Visit Wayfarers Arcade.

 

The jewel in the crown on Lord Street is always worth a visit.

Catherine McVicar suggested: “Enjoy coffee and cake in Pudding and Pie and wander round Wayfarers Arcade buying some vintage homewares and old fashioned sweets.”

 

32. See a show in Southport.

 

Our town boasts Southport Little Theatre, Southport Theatre, and The Atkinson, with numerous superb local groups such as All Souls Dramatic Club, Birkdale Orpheus SoHairspray at the Little Theatre in May.”

 

33. Discover a great bookshop.

 

We’re lucky with our bookshops in Southport. We have some superb independent bookshops such as the Aladdin’s Cave that is Broadhurst’s on Market Street and Parkinson’s on Lord Street, Waterstone’s on Lord Street, and a number of charity bookshops, such as Freshfields Animal Rescue on Wesley Street.

Fiormby Books owner Tony Higginson said: “Broadhurst’s is pretty special – seriously is!”

 

34. Dodge the chuggers

 

Mark Appleton said: “Walk the length of Chapel Street without being challenged by a chugger!”

The street is often lined with collectors or ‘charity muggers’ (chuggers) eager to grab passers-by and persuade them to sign for for donating to a wide range of charities and organisations.

Can you walk the length of Chapel Street without being stopped by a chugger…?

Easier said than done.

 

35. See the shipwrecks on our coast

 

Vicky McConnochie suggested: “See the shipwreck on Ainsdale Beach.”

Southport’s coastline is littered with the remains of vessels which have fallen foul of bad weather and a difficult environment.

Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership Scheme occasionally organises shipwreck walks, which give a reminder of the dangers of a coastline not to be taken lightly.

 

36. Visit Victoria Leisure Centre

 

Southport businessman Wally Birch did an incredible job in rescuing the old Turkish Baths on The Promenade.

The building was popular among visitors to Southport during the Victorian era, when the sea water baths, and the Turkish, Russian and swimming baths, were deemed to be excellent at improving people’s health and wellbeing.

Mr Birch has transformed the landmark building into a thriving leisure club, but you can see the heritage of the old baths preserved inside.

 

37. Sign up and have a go in Southport’s Got Talent

 

Why not have a go? This growingly popular annual talent contest invites performers of all talents – singers, dancers, comedians, clowns, jugglers, fire eaters, break dancers, you name it.

If you can entertain a crowd, then you’re in with a chance of winning the £1,000 first prize.

Heats for the 2015 Southport’s Got Talent content take place on Friday nights at The Phoenix pub on Coronation Walk in Southport, starting on Friday, February 20.

Admission is free. The fun of taking part, or being in the audience, is priceless.

 

38. Reminisce about ‘the good old days’ in Southport

 

This is what Southport people love to do best!

And why not – our town has such an incredible history, it is worth remembering and celebrating it.

Share memories with friends about how our town used to be – enjoy local historian Geoff Wright’s superb two-page Nostalgia feature in the Southport Visiter every Thursday – discover Rod Bleackley’s brilliant Southport Yesteryear page on Facebook – or step back in time with Southport’s new museum at The Atkinson, which will be completed in February 2015.

When someone does invent a time machine – which Southport attraction would you like to see first?

Doris Pennington said: “I could have given a long list – but most of the things that made me happy when I was a child, have gone.

“The beach that is now hidden under Matalan, the cafe on stilts, the Open Air Bathing Pool, the Floral Hall Gardens, the Pier train (when it WAS a proper train), the paddling pool on Princes Park, Peter Pan’s playground, dancing in the Floral Hall when it looked spectacular. Open air dancing around the Town Hall Gardens with my Mum and my Nan, to the live band, walking down Lord Street on a Sunday evening checking out the ‘talent’ (after Sunday service at Christ Church)!”

Stuart Isenberg said: “Go back in time to when the town centre was a bustling, thriving environment and you could drive in, and park free anywhere in the area.”

 

39. Toboggan down ‘the round hill’ in Birkdale.

 

Southport rarely seems to get any snow. And the town’s so flat there aren’t many hills!

But as soon as it does snow, head for ‘the round hill’ and enjoy some wintery fun.

 

40. Travel on The Lakeside Miniature Railway.

 

This has been a favourite in Southport for generations, with trains carrying visitors between Southport Pleasureland and Ocean Plaza. Take your children as an excuse  to relive those childhood memories….

 

WHAT would you like to add to Southport’s Bucket List?

Please leave your comments below!