Hotels Near Royal Birkdale
The Open Championship 2026 — every accommodation option ranked by distance from the course
Book immediately — accommodation is nearly gone
The Open Championship brings 250,000 spectators to Southport over seven days. Hotels and B&Bs in Birkdale and Southport town centre were heavily booked within weeks of the fixture confirmation. If you need accommodation for Open week, every day of delay reduces your options.
Hotels Ranked by Distance from Royal Birkdale
All distances measured from Royal Birkdale Golf Club main entrance on Waterloo Road. Sorted closest first.
| Hotel / Accommodation | Distance | Walk | Drive | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Birkdale Guesthouses & B&Bs Closest possible — book months ahead | 0.3–0.8 miles | 6–16 min | 2–4 min | £ | Check availability |
The Vincent Hotel Southport's finest — luxury boutique | 0.9 miles | 18 min | 4 min | £££ | Check availability |
Ramada Plaza Southport Large hotel, conference facilities, seafront | 1.1 miles | 22 min | 5 min | £££ | Check availability |
Holiday Inn Southport Reliable chain, good availability | 1.3 miles | 26 min | 6 min | ££ | Check availability |
Scarisbrick Hotel Historic Lord Street hotel, character property | 1.4 miles | 28 min | 6 min | ££ | Check availability |
Premier Inn Southport Best-value option, book early for Open week | 1.5 miles | 30 min | 7 min | £ | Check availability |
The Bold Hotel Boutique hotel on Lord Street, popular with golfers | 1.6 miles | 32 min | 7 min | ££ | Check availability |
The Metropole Hotel Victorian seafront hotel, traditional atmosphere | 1.7 miles | 34 min | 8 min | ££ | Check availability |
Travelodge Southport Budget-friendly, no frills, functional | 1.8 miles | 36 min | 8 min | £ | Check availability |
Royal Clifton Hotel Seafront location, sea views from upper floors | 2.0 miles | 40 min | 9 min | ££ | Check availability |
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Booking.com links open in a new tab. Distances verified via Google Maps from Royal Birkdale main entrance.
Area by Area Guide
Birkdale Village
Walking distance — 10–15 min on foot
Best for: Anyone who wants maximum convenience. Walk to and from the course every day without transport.
- Closest possible to the course — some options under 10 minutes
- Birkdale village has excellent restaurants and pubs for evenings
- Book 6–12 months ahead for future Opens
Southport Town Centre
2 miles — 10 min taxi or shuttle bus
Best for: Most visitors. Widest range of accommodation, restaurants, and evening entertainment.
- Lord Street, The Grand, and surrounding hotels
- Excellent evening options — restaurants, bars, live music
- Easy park and ride access from Victoria Park
Formby
20 min drive — best via A565
Best for: Those who've left it late or want a quieter base with good road access.
- Good independent B&Bs and holiday lets
- Beautiful beach and red squirrel reserve nearby
- Easy drive to park and ride sites
Ormskirk / Skelmersdale
25–30 min drive via A570
Best for: Last-resort option if coastal options are gone. Cheaper but less atmosphere.
- Good motorway access (M58)
- Less connected to the Open atmosphere
- Budget-friendly option for groups
Booking Tips
- →Book tonight — every day you wait, availability decreases and prices rise
- →Self-catering sleeps groups more cheaply than multiple hotel rooms
- →Check Booking.com and direct hotel websites — rates differ
- →Ask your accommodation about parking during Open week — on-site parking is worth its weight
- →Some hotels offer shuttle packages — worth asking when you call
- →If your first choice is full, call the hotel directly — some allocations aren't listed online
Southport Hotels in Our Directory
View all →The Palm Suite
Southport PR9 0UT, UK
View listing →The Seaside Suite - Apartment
Southport PR9 0UT, UK
View listing →The Seascape Suite - Apartment
Southport PR9 0UT, UK
View listing →Birkdale Holiday Homes
Southport PR9 0UF, UK
View listing →Norland Hotel
11 Bath St, Southport PR9 0DP, UK
View listing →The Seaside Suite
Southport PR9 0UT, UK
View listing →Accommodation FAQ — The Open 2026
How far is Southport from Royal Birkdale?
Royal Birkdale Golf Club is located in Birkdale, approximately 1–2 miles south of Southport town centre. Most Southport hotels are between a 15–40 minute walk from the course, or 5–10 minutes by taxi.
Can you walk from Southport town centre to Royal Birkdale?
Yes — it is walkable from most central hotels in 20–35 minutes along flat, straightforward roads. The walk along Waterloo Road and Liverpool Road is well-signed during Open week and many spectators prefer it to dealing with transport queues.
Which Southport hotels are closest to Royal Birkdale golf course?
The closest options are guesthouses and B&Bs in Birkdale itself, within 0.3–0.8 miles of the course. In Southport town centre, The Vincent Hotel and Ramada Plaza are the nearest major hotels at under 1.1 miles from the course entrance.
Is there accommodation available in Birkdale itself?
Yes — Birkdale village has several guesthouses and B&Bs within walking distance of the course. These book out very quickly for Open week. Check availability immediately — these are typically the first properties to sell out.
How do I get from my hotel to Royal Birkdale during Open week?
Walking is recommended for hotels within 2 miles. Merseyrail trains run to Birkdale station (approximately 10–15 minutes walk from the course entrance). Taxis from Southport town centre take around 10 minutes and cost £8–12 each way. The R&A also operates a park and ride shuttle service.
What is the closest train station to Royal Birkdale?
Birkdale railway station on the Merseyrail Southport line is the closest, approximately a 10–15 minute walk from the course entrance. Trains run frequently from Liverpool Central and Southport station throughout the day.