5 reasons to love Southport in Autumn
Explore everything Southport has to offer in the autumn season.
As the busy summer season winds down, Southport takes on a more relaxed pace. With the crowds easing, autumn colours and golden afternoons create the perfect backdrop for scenic walks and catch-ups.
There’s still plenty happening through, with a packed programme of events and festivals (both new and old), offering something exciting for everyone.
Here's your guide to falling in love in with Southport this autumn.
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Golden leaves and scenic walks
Southport is renowned for its green spaces and vibrant floral displays, with each changing season bringing something different to the town centre.
Walks along Lord Street become fell new once again as the mile-long, tree-lined boulevard changes colour in dramatic fashion.
Historic Kings Gardens is perfect for a late afternoon stroll and Victoria Park offers a revitalising setting for a misty morning. Both are just minutes from the centre of town.
Big bangs, books, and belly laughs!
The big summer shows may have rolled out of town, but Southport comes alive in again in autumn with another feast of spectacular events.
First up is Southport Heritage Open Days and the unique spectacle of the 24 Hour Boat Race on the Marine Lake, before September is capped off with the British Musical Fireworks Champions, when the skies above Southport light up with colourful, synchronised displays.
Southport Comedy Festival follows shortly afterwards in October with over two weeks of laughter and stand-up comedy. There's also a brand-new event in Books Alive, a children's literature festival that takes over the town centre October 24-31.
Storybook season and café culture
The autumnal atmosphere of Southport could easily come from the pages of a captivating novel. Many of the year's big hardbacks release in October, and leafy Southport is a great place to enjoy a long afternoon reading session.
Bookshop-café-wine bar hybrid, Wine and Words offers somewhere snug to both buy and read books. New shop The Hobby Post offers a selection of the latest fantasy and sci-fi novels to buy. Waterstones will, as ever, offer all the latest chart-topping novels.
If you're looking for a quaint café to enjoy your latest obsession, we might recommend Hoghton Lounge, Hideaway, or any of other of our great cafes.
To top it off, the new Books Alive festival runs through half-term, enchanting the town centre with storytelling activities, literature trails, workshops, and performances.
Take to the water
In summer, the Marine Lake is busy with family activity, swan pedalos, and jet boats. Boat hire is still available on weekend from Southport Watersports, but this time of year presents a calmer time to enjoy the scenic waters.
Kayakers and paddleboarders head out to enjoy the tranquillity of the Marine Lake during golden hour, with SUP North hosting regular meet-ups and lessons. West Lancashire Yacht Club continue their regular boating sessions (when they are not busy hosting the 24 hour boat race).
Warming drinks and pumpkin spice
Southport's café culture stands strong twelve months a year, but autumn is our favourite season to seek out a cosy corner to try some seasonal specials.
Our recommendations include a trip to busy café A Great Little Place to try their Pumpkin Latte, paired with their Spiced Ginger and Pumpkin Cake which is available at the bar every day.
There's also Roxy's Café, famous for their Italian coffees, which is worth a visit to try a pumpkin spice twist on your favourite warming drink.
New venue Coffee King on Lord Street has a host of autumn-themed drinks, including a Maple Pecan Twist Latte and the mouth-watering Almond Croissant Hot Chocolate.
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