Southport is well-positioned. Most visitors don't realise how much is within easy reach — Liverpool is 45 minutes, the Lake District edge is an hour, the Ribble Valley is 40 minutes. If you're staying for more than a day or two, a day trip is worth building into the plan. Here's what's genuinely worth the journey.
Liverpool — 45 minutes by train
The obvious one, and also the best one. Liverpool is a brilliant day out from Southport — Merseyrail from Southport station to Liverpool Central takes about 45 minutes and runs frequently. The Albert Dock, the museums (Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool, Museum of Liverpool — all free), the cathedral, the independent shops on Bold Street, and an evening meal before the train back. That's a full, excellent day. Book the return train for the evening rather than assuming you'll get one easily.
Formby and the Squirrel Reserve — 20 minutes
Formby is the closest proper day trip and the one I take my kids to most often. The National Trust manages the site — vast sand dunes, pine woods, and the Formby Squirrel Reserve where you can see red squirrels in the wild. My youngest thinks this is the best place in England. She's not entirely wrong. Parking fills up fast in summer — get there before 10am.
Chester — 1 hour by car / 1h30 by train
Chester is a proper full-day destination. The city walls (you can walk the entire perimeter), the Roman amphitheatre, the black-and-white Victorian-era rows (covered shopping galleries on two levels), and a very good independent food scene. It's more of a commitment than Liverpool, but for a genuinely different day out it's excellent.
Lytham St Annes — 30 minutes
Along the coast north of Southport, Lytham St Annes is the quieter, more refined version of a Lancashire seaside town. Good restaurants, a pleasant town centre, and its own historic windmill. Worth a half-day if you want to see more of the Lancashire coast without a long drive.
Rivington Pike and the moors — 45 minutes
If you want something completely different, Rivington Pike near Chorley is a 45-minute drive east into proper Lancashire moorland. A walk up to the Pike gives views across to the Welsh hills on a clear day and across Greater Manchester in the other direction. Lord Leverhulme's terraced gardens are at the base — unusual, historically interesting, and free to access. Good option for a half-day escape from the coast.
- →Liverpool: best city day trip, 45 min by Merseyrail, free museums
- →Formby: best nature day trip, 20 min, National Trust squirrels and dunes
- →Chester: best heritage day trip, 1 hour, city walls and Roman history
- →Lytham: best easy coast option, 30 min, quieter and more refined
- →Rivington: best active/nature option, 45 min, moorland walks and views
🚂Southport's Merseyrail connection makes Liverpool an exceptionally easy day trip. The train is frequent, the journey is comfortable, and you avoid all Liverpool city centre parking issues. It's the obvious one for a reason — it really is that good.
Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
