If you haven't sorted accommodation for The Open yet, the hotel picture is not good. Most of what was walking distance from Royal Birkdale went months ago. The town centre filled up shortly after. You already know this if you've tried searching.
Self-catering is a different story. Cottages and holiday lets in Southport, Formby and Ainsdale are still available for Open week and they're actually a better option than a hotel room for most visitors. Here's why and where to look.
Why Self-Catering Works Better for Open Week
The Open Championship runs for a week. Most visitors are there for two or three days, some for the full thing. A cottage gives you a kitchen, a base, somewhere to come back to after a long day on the course without needing to book a restaurant.
Open week restaurants in Southport are fully booked for the duration. I am not exaggerating. If you're relying on eating out every night, you'll either have queued for a table at 5pm or you're eating somewhere you didn't plan to. A cottage with a kitchen removes that problem entirely.
Groups work out well. Four golfers splitting a four-bedroom cottage in Formby is cheaper per head than four hotel rooms and you get a proper base for the week rather than a corridor to sleep in.
Where to Look: The Best Areas
Formby (L37 postcodes)
Formby is the sweet spot. It's 15 minutes south of Royal Birkdale by car, the pinewoods and beach are right there, and the village has decent independent restaurants for the nights you do want to eat out. It's genuinely nice to stay in. Properties here tend to be a bit more character than a Southport town centre flat.
Ainsdale (PR8 postcodes)
Ainsdale sits between Southport and Formby. 10 minutes from the course. Good beach access. Quieter than town. If a Formby property isn't available, Ainsdale is the next best option for golf visitors.
Birkdale (PR8 2)
Birkdale village is the closest residential area to Royal Birkdale Golf Club. If you can find a self-catering property here for Open week, take it. You're walking distance from the course and the village has enough independent restaurants to keep you fed.
Southport Town Centre (PR8 1, PR9 0)
More options, slightly further from the course. Good for visitors who want to mix golf with a bit of town. Lord Street is there, pubs and restaurants are there, the seafront is there. Probably a 20-minute drive to Royal Birkdale.
How Far Is It from Royal Birkdale?
- →Birkdale village: 5 minutes on foot or by car
- →Ainsdale: 10 minutes by car
- →Southport town centre: 15-20 minutes by car
- →Formby: 15-20 minutes by car
Driving during Open week is fine for early morning rounds. The shuttle buses from Southport and nearby car parks handle the peak traffic well. Check the official Open Championship transport page for the latest shuttle details.
What to Search For
When searching, put in your exact dates: arrival 12 July, departure 19 July (or whatever your specific days are). Filter by the number of guests. Anything in the L37 postcode (Formby) or PR8 postcode (Southport, Ainsdale, Birkdale) is in the right geography.
If you're travelling as a group, a property that sleeps more than your party means extra flexibility. An extra bedroom as a gear room or hangout space makes a long week more comfortable.
Search self-catering cottages near Southport for Open week:
Search Sykes Cottages for Open Week →What About Hotels?
If you're set on a hotel, there are still options but you need to look now. Ormskirk, Skelmersdale and Wigan all have availability and are within 30-40 minutes of Royal Birkdale. Not as convenient as staying in Southport but they work if you plan the journey in advance.
For golf-specific packages that include travel and hospitality, specialist operators sometimes have options that standard searches miss. Worth checking if the individual booking route is drawing blanks.
Check remaining hotel availability near Royal Birkdale:
Check Open Week Hotels on LateRooms →The Honest Summary
Stop looking at hotels. Most of the good ones are gone. Self-catering in Formby or Ainsdale is genuinely the better option anyway for a multi-day Open visit. You have a base, a kitchen, and a garage to keep your clubs in. Search now — availability is limited but it's there if you move quickly.
Full guide to The Open 2026 at Royal Birkdale:
The Open 2026 Visitor Guide →Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk. Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
