Esplanade Car Park Southport (Sefton Council)

Right, so you're heading to Southport and need to park the car? The Esplanade Car Park, run by Sefton Council, is usually my go-to if I'm pottering around the shops on Lord Street or fancy a walk along the sea front. It gets a decent 4.2 stars out of 5 from 137 reviews on Google, so most people seem happy enough.

It's open 7am to 7pm every day, which covers most trips, but if you're planning a late night, you'll need to find somewhere else. It's pretty central, right on the Esplanade, so you can't miss it. Give them a ring on 0345 140 0845 if you've got any specific questions – the council are usually alright to deal with.

Now, the catch? It can get busy, especially on weekends and during school holidays. It’s a big car park, don’t get me wrong, but Southport gets rammed in summer. You can find more info (and maybe pre-book if you’re organised) on the Visit Southport website.

Oh, and one last thing: make sure you have change or a card handy, as sometimes the machines can be a bit temperamental.