~A Look at Southport~
17th April 2011
Southport is a seaside town on the West Lancashire Coast. Built on sand, the residents are known as Sandgrounders. It is a popluar resort town, prospering during and after the Industrial Revolution with the canal and rail links. Karen and I decided to return to Southport for the first time in about 20 years.
Southport Town Hall
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Southport Marina
Marine Way Bridge
This bridge was completed in May 2004 and provides access to the developments on the front, none of this was here last time.
Southport Pier
Southport Pier is the 2nd longest seaside pier in the UK, do you know which is the longest?
Pier View
Tram lines extend along the length of the pier. I quite enjoy people watching and sometimes wonder if there are no mirrors in some houses.
Pier Train
This "train" isn't actually on the rails, nor is it steam-powered.
Blackpool Tower from Southport Pier
The pier is about 10 miles away and the buildings closer to the camera are in Lytham St.Annes. A road journey between the two would cover 33 miles, via Preston.
Southport Pier
The tide is on its way out. We've had a bite to eat and are walking along the promenade to make our way back to the town centre.
Gadget Shop
The Gadget Shop sells ice cream. This is Lord Street, the main street in Southport.
Greenwoods
Seaside towns seem to attract mature people and Greenwoods is well placed in Southport.
It Could Be You
If it's you encircled in the photo, contact me and claim your £20 prize. Our photographer will be visiting other popular towns in the weeks to come and you could be in line for a prize.
Broadbent and Boothroyds, Southport
Spies
I sat on a bench whilst Karen shopped and observed suspicious characters on the pavement.
Fletchers Solicitors, Southport
Our son, Gary works here. It is not him in the photo.
The War Memorial
After our visit to Southport, we went south to another place for a look at some men on a beach.
Anthony Gormley's "Another Place" on Crosby Beach
Karen and The Iron Man
Bootle Docks
The 100 men on Crosby Beach are drowned each time the tide comes in. They weigh 650kg each and are made of cast iron. Bootle Docks are further away at the north end of Liverpool.
Visitors: Karen & Me.
Conclusion: We enjoyed our visit to Southport, parking is free at the marine retail and leisure park, otherwise £2.40 for up to 4 hours and £6 for longer stays. There's lots of shops and good walking on the beach; many of the avenues are tree-lined and the Victorian houses are quite special. There is no Northport, so don't go looking for it.
Southend Pier is the longest in the UK. Southport Pier was "Pier of the Year" in 2003 as awarded by The National Piers Society!
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2011 ©
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