southport conferences - stay & play
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STAY & PLAY 2015A GUIDE TO CONFERENCING AFTER
HOURS IN SOUTHPORT
Southport is a cosmopolitan seaside resort
that really has stood the test of time.
It has all of the traditional elements that
visitors still expect to see, combined with
areas of outstanding natural beauty,
boutique hotels, high quality restaurants,
first class attractions and some of the best
golf courses in the world.
All this, combined with the warm welcome
you are sure to receive and the resort of
Southport is the perfect place to transform
your business visit into a short leisurely
break.
For further advice on your trip to Southport
as well as access to all of the latest offers
available to you as a visiting delegate,
please visit
www.SouthportConferences/delegate-zone
or follow Southport Conferences on
Facebook or Twitter @SouthportConf.
CULTURAL DELIGHTS 2
EVENTS A PLENTY 4
THE GREAT OUTDOORS 6
SPORTING PURSUITS 8
SHOP AND PAMPER 10
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY 12
WELCOME TO SOUTHPORT…ENGLAND’S CLASSIC RESORT
CULTURALDELIGHTS
With a wide range of theatres, art galleries,
museums, parks and gardens, it is easy to
see why Southport has a great reputation
for culture.
Set in a beautifully restored grade II listed
building in the centre of the resort, The
Atkinson is one of Southport’s newest
attractions. This multi-art form venue offers
a cultural pick n’ mix of dance, drama, fine
art, history and music, perfect for adding
some variety to your trip.
The Atkinson is also home to a unique and
hugely popular bakery, serving all sorts of
great and fresh treats for visitors.
Just a short walk away is the Waterfront Arts
Project on Southport’s Promenade. This
large fine art gallery space is well worth a
visit, having lead the way in Southport’s
artistic and cultural revival in recent years. It
showcases art and photography created by
several local, national and international
artists.
However, for something that’s truly unique,
pay a visit to Southport’s British Lawnmower
Museum on Shakespeare Street. This one of
a kind attraction features over 300 exhibits,
including some of the fastest, oldest and
quirkiest models in the world, plus you can
even see the lawnmowers of the rich and
famous including Prince Charles and
Princess Diana’s.
EVENTS A PLENTY
If you are lucky, your visit to Southport
might coincide with one of the many events
that the resort plays host to each year. It is
in fact one of the most diverse event
programmes in the whole of the North
West, with everything from flowers to food,
planes to pyrotechnics on show.
The season kicks off in May with the
Southport Jazz Festival, featuring a host of
free concerts around the town centre,
followed at the end of the month by the
gastronomic delight that is the Southport
Food & Drink Festival.
In June, the Woodvale Rally brings all sorts
of classic cars and vehicles to the beautiful
Victoria Park, followed later in August by
the world famous Southport Flower Show, a
mix of exquisite floral displays, stunning
gardens and other entertainment, showing
off the resort in all its blooming glory.
Look up to the skies in September for the
famous Southport Air Show and later the
three night British Musical Fireworks
Championship, when the air is filled with
light and sound.
For fans of comedy, it is the turn of the
Southport Comedy Festival in October and
finishing off the year in festive style, is the
Christmas Festival in December.
Visit www.visitsouthport.com/whats-on for
full details of all events taking place in
Southport.
THE GREATOUTDOORS
Located on a 22 mile stretch of beautiful
coastline, Southport beach is the perfect
place to unwind after the working day is
done.
There are miles of coastal paths and trails
that are great to explore whether on foot or
by bike or take in the sea air on the Grade II
listed Pier – the oldest iron pier and second
longest in the country at over 1000m long.
Enjoy the views out to Blackpool and the
North Wales coastline at the end and if you
don’t fancy the walk back, just hop on board
the pier tram.
Nearby award-winning Ainsdale Beach is
well known for its beautiful golden sand
dunes and has been recognised with the
International Blue Flag on a number of
occasions. It is here that you are likely to
see some of the many species of flora and
fauna that call the Sefton coast home.
Away from the coast, Southport is often
dubbed the floral capital of the North West,
due to the many stunning parks and
gardens it is home to. There is something
for everyone to enjoy from the historic
King’s Gardens with its cast iron shelters
and Venetian bridge to the vast Hesketh
Park, full of stunning greenery, a beautiful
lake, observatory and one of the UK’s oldest
floral clocks.
In 2008, Southport was granted Cycling
Town status and ‘by bike’ remains the best
way to get about in the resort. Many of the
hotels can arrange cycle hire and there are
ample secure bike parking spots around.
There is even a special delegate bike loan
service that is available to groups visiting for
their conferences or events.
SPORTING PURSUITS
Southport has a lot to offer sports fans with
its world-class golf courses, superb sailing
facilities and Aintree, one of the world’s
most famous racecourses and home of The
Crabbies Grand National.
With the UK's highest concentration of
championship links courses, golf in
Southport is of the highest standard. Royal
Birkdale, just a few minutes’ drive from the
town centre, has been ranked as England’s
top golf course and having hosted The
Open Championship on nine occasions will
do so again in 2017.
Hillside, Hesketh, Southport & Ainsdale,
Formby and West Lancashire are all superb
courses which are used as Open qualifying
courses as well as hosting tournaments in
their own right and providing a challenge to
even the most accomplished golfer.
Just outside of the resort centre, Formby
Hall Golf Resort & Spa is also home to The
PGA Golf Academy, where golfers can use
its cutting edge analysis technology to
understand and improve each aspect of
their game.
For those that are a little more adventurous,
Southport is a haven for watersports
enthusiasts. The Crosby Lakeside Adventure
Centre is just 25 minutes’ drive from the
town centre where you can try out a variety
of sports, meanwhile The Marine Lake in
Southport plays host to the annual 24 Hour
Yacht Race every September.
World famous racecourse Aintree is just a
short drive from the centre of Southport
and if your trip coincides, you can visit on
one of its six race meets held throughout
the year or perhaps even the main event
itself, the Crabbie’s Grand National held
annually in April.
SHOP & PAMPER
Shopping in Southport has something for
everyone with many hidden gems too.
For specialist shops and designer
boutiques, nestled amongst cafes and
restaurants, head to one of Southport’s
most famous landmarks, Lord Street. Its
stunning architecture is said to have given
Napoleon III, the future Emperor of France
the inspiration for the boulevards of Paris
you see today, following his visit to the
resort in 1846.
Lord Street is also home to Wayfarers
Arcade with its stunning glass domed roof
and period décor and over 30 more unique
shops and eateries to explore.
Also worth a visit are the quaint, individual,
pastel painted shops that can be found on
Wesley Street affectionately known as the
‘Village in the Town’ or for antiques and
collectables, pay a visit the Royal Arcade.
For a treat of a different kind, Southport is
also home to many spas and beauty rooms.
Visit the contemporary V-Spa located in the
Vincent Hotel to enjoy a range of holistic
therapies using the luxurious ESPA range or
the boutique Lavender House Day Spa, Hair
Salon & Tea Rooms for a unique experience
set right at the head of Lord Street.
Alternatively escape to Formby Hall Golf
Resort & Spa, a haven away from the rigours
of daily life.
EAT, DRINK& BE MERRY
You can soon work up an appetite after a
busy day at a conference and from
traditional British favourites, Mediterranean
tastes, American cuisine and Asian fusions -
the choice of restaurants in Southport is
outstanding.
Choose from over 100 restaurants, cafes
and tea rooms within the resort, offering
everything from fine dining to tasty snacks,
plus many small independent restaurants
too.
For a full guide to the eatery options in the
town, download the Southport Eating Out
Guide from visitsouthport.com created by
The Southport Restaurateurs Association
who represents many of the town’s best
restaurants and tea rooms.
By night, there’s a great choice of places for
you to while away the evening.
Southport’s promenade offers much in the
way of entertainment with The Southport
Theatre and Convention Centre, not just a
great venue for conferences, exhibitions
and events but with a year-round
programme of concerts and shows too -
from music, comedy and exhibitions to a
traditional Christmas pantomime, the
theatre caters for all tastes.
For a touch of glitz and glamour, visit the
Genting Club Casino situated on the
promenade. Try your hand at the many
casino games including American Roulette,
Blackjack, Three Card Poker and Electronic
Roulette and then enjoy dinner at the bar
and grill restaurant whilst taking in the views
over the Marine Lake from the outdoor
terrace.
For more information on Southport go to vis itsouthport.com
FOR CONFERENCE ENQUIRIES CONTACT SAMMI ON 0151 934 2436