About Southport in Merseyside
Southport is a large seaside town in Merseyside, England. The town is on the Irish Sea coast and is fringed to the north by the Ribble estuary. Southport lies 16 miles (26 km) north of Liverpool and 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Preston.
At the 2011 census, it had a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England. Historically part of Lancashire, the town was founded in 1792 when William Sutton, an innkeeper from Churchtown, built a bathing house at what is now the south end of Lord Street.
Southport quickly grew to become a fashionable seaside resort, with the construction of a pier, promenade, and extensive sand dunes. The town's growth was accelerated by the arrival of the railway in 1848. By the early 20th century, Southport had become known as a golfing centre with numerous courses and attracted many visitors from across the UK and Ireland.
The town is also home to the UK's oldest independent department store, Lord Street's Waygoods & Co., which was established in 1798. Lord Street is also home to many other independent shops as well as chain stores. The town's main shopping centre is Chapel Street.
Southport is well known for its Floral Hall and Southport Pier, both located on the seafront. The Floral Hall houses a ballroom and theatre, while the pier features a funfair, cafes, and an aquarium. The town is also home to two large parks: Victoria Park and Botanic Gardens.
Southport has been host to various events over the years including the Grand National, British Open Golf Championship, and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The town also hosts an annual air show on and over Southport Beach.
