Dukes Folly Hotel

If you're after a hotel in the centre of Southport with a bit of character, Dukes Folly is worth a look. It gets a solid 4.4 stars from over 400 Google reviews, which is a good sign. It's a Victorian place, so expect some period features and individually decorated rooms – none of that identikit hotel chain stuff here. They also do a free cooked breakfast. Can't go wrong with that, can you?

It's got a relaxed bar too, open till 9:30 most nights, later on Saturdays. They list golf as one of their things, so it could be handy if you're in town for a round or two. Royal Birkdale, where The Open is in 2026, isn't far. I'd say it's more suited to couples or smaller groups rather than big families with loads of kids. Give them a ring on 01704 533355 to check what rooms they have.

It's right in the middle of things, so you're close to the shops and the Promenade. The downside of that is parking can be a pain. You might need to use a public car park. Check their website – dukesfolly.co.uk – for more pictures and info.