The Lakeside (on tour)

The Lakeside, right on Southport's beach, is a solid shout if you're after somewhere with a bit of atmosphere. It gets a good 4.5 stars on Google from nearly a thousand reviews, so it's clearly doing something right. It's not a posh cocktail place, more of a proper pub, but it's got that lively buzz, especially on weekends when they often have live music, or when the footy's on.

They've got a decent selection of beers, nothing too fancy, but all the usual suspects. Plus, the outdoor seating is a real winner when the sun's out – you can't beat a pint with a view of the sea. Dogs are welcome too, which is always a bonus if you're out for a walk along the coast. It's a good spot to wind down after a long day.

Price-wise, it's not the cheapest, but it's not going to break the bank either. Expect to pay standard town centre prices. Open from midday most days, except Mondays and Tuesdays when they're closed. Wednesdays and Thursdays they open at 2 so don't head down early.

Give them a ring on 01704 544735 if you're heading down with a big group, especially on a weekend, just to make sure they can squeeze you in. It can get pretty busy.