Date spot in Southport and the Sefton Coast
WWT Martin Mere
Head inland to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's reserve near Burscough, to watch the birds on the mere from the hides and meet the flamingos.
Fish Lane, Burscough, half an hour's drive from Southport
Address: WWT Martin Mere, Fish Lane, Burscough L40 0TA- Trip
- Mid-price
- Best in Autumn, Winter
- Outdoors
- Out of town
Why it's a good date: Best from autumn into winter, when tens of thousands of pink-footed geese come in and the swans arrive for the winter. Wrap up, take binoculars, and book online. It's not one for the dog: only assistance dogs are allowed.
Photo: Chris Denny, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
More from our Southport and the Sefton Coast guide
Lord Street and Wayfarers Arcade
Lord Street, town centre
Address: Wayfarers Arcade, Lord Street, Southport PR8 1NTStroll Southport's grand Victorian boulevard under its long glass-and-iron verandas, then duck into Wayfarers Arcade, a glass-roofed shopping arcade from the 1890s.
Why it's a good date: The canopies were built to keep shoppers dry, so it's a walk that works in any weather. Look up as you go: the buildings above the shops are the best part, and the gardens across the road are made for a sit-down.
Photo: Steven Haslington, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The Atkinson
Lord Street, town centre
Address: The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport PR8 1DB- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Wander the free museum and art gallery in the Atkinson, from Southport's own history to its Ancient Egypt collection, and check what's on in its theatre.
Why it's a good date: The town's arts centre packs a lot under one clock tower, and the galleries cost nothing. Make a day of it with a show in the evening. It's closed on Sundays, so go on a weekday or a Saturday.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
King's Gardens and Marine Lake
The Promenade, by the pier
Address: King's Gardens, Promenade, Southport PR8 1QX- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Walk the restored seafront gardens between the promenade and Marine Lake, across the Venetian-style bridge and round the water.
Why it's a good date: Old-fashioned seaside at its best: flower beds, shelters to sit in, a café, and the lake glittering in the evening. Dogs can come off the lead on most of the lawns, but not in the playground or on the bowling green.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
From our guide to date ideas in Southport and the Sefton Coast