Century Bikes

If you're thinking of doing the Coastal Road down to Formby, or even just popping to the shops, Century Bikes in town is your best bet for renting a decent set of wheels. It's run by proper bike enthusiasts, not some fly-by-night tourist trap. They're right in the centre of Southport, so dead easy to find.

I've not rented from them myself, but I know a few who have and they rate it. Plus, they've got a perfect 5.0 stars from 5 reviews on Google, which is a good sign. It's not a massive sample size, mind you, but still, everyone seems happy. They do repairs and servicing too, if you've got your own bike that needs a bit of TLC.

Opening hours are pretty good, especially during the week – 10 'til 6 most days. Just remember they’re shut Tuesdays and Sundays, and Saturday they close early at 2pm. Give them a bell on 07726 190589 if you want to check availability, especially in the summer hols. They have a website too if you want a look – centurybikes.co.uk.

If you're heading down that way, take a bike lock – it's always better to be safe than sorry, even in Southport!