The Best B&Bs and Guest Houses in Southport

I'll be honest — I'm a B&B man at heart. When I travel, I'd rather have a proper breakfast made by someone who cares than a buffet of lukewarm scrambled eggs in a Premier Inn. Southport has some genuinely good B&Bs and guest houses. They don't get the press the hotels do, but they should.

What Southport B&Bs do well

The best Southport guest houses tend to be Victorian townhouses — substantial buildings with high ceilings, proper rooms, and often a breakfast room that feels like it belongs to somebody's life rather than a hotel business. That's the experience worth seeking out.

• →Proper cooked breakfasts, often with local produce
• →Hosts who actually know the town and give genuine recommendations
• →More character per pound than chain hotels
• →Often in quieter residential areas, away from weekend noise

Birkdale and the south end

Birkdale village has a cluster of guest houses that attract golfers visiting Royal Birkdale. They're used to early checkouts, kit storage, and guests who want a hearty breakfast before 8am. Good value, and the village itself is lovely to wander the night before.

Town centre and Lord Street area

Guest houses close to Lord Street put you within walking distance of most restaurants, bars, and the train station. Handy if you're visiting without a car. Check reviews carefully — the good ones have genuinely enthusiastic hosts, the less good ones have let standards slip a bit.

What to ask before booking

• →Is breakfast included, and what does it include?
• →Is there secure parking (particularly relevant for Open week)?
• →What's the check-in/check-out window?
• →Are there any access restrictions (stairs, weight limits for period buildings)?

My take

For a weekend break, a well-run Southport B&B beats a chain hotel at the same price point every time. You get a better breakfast, someone who'll point you toward the best pub for Sunday lunch, and the satisfaction of supporting an independent local business. That last bit matters to me.