LIFE IN SOUTHPORT
This superb town in perfect for foodies, culture vultures, nature watchers and fans of traditional seaside pursuits.
This handsome seaside town in the North West has everything you could ask for for retirement living, with 22 miles of beautiful coast to explore, the most independent restaurants and cafes outside London, a European style food market, thriving boutique shops, a botanic garden, a historic pier and the amazingly versatile arts centre the Atkinson.
Retirement living in Southport
Things to do in Southport
Whether you like bracing coastal walks or building sandcastles with grandchildren, the Sefton Coast has something for everyone. Southport beach is perfect for bucket and spades, and also boasts a beautiful 150+ year old pier, while Southport Pleasureland is fun for all the family. Formby beach offers breath-taking natural beauty and sand dunes, while further up the coast at Crosby Beach you’ll find Anthony Gormley’s 'Another Place' – 100 iron figures staring wistfully at the sea.
If all this fresh air leaves you hungry, then you are in luck, from the flourishing food market to high-end restaurants there’s plenty of choice of cuisines from around the globe. Try the charmingly vintage Kings Gardens Tea Rooms set in 17 acres, traditional fish and chips at the Swan or Bistro Verite, which offers French style food made with local produce.
Community
Southport is a friendly, vibrant town that’s packed with community events and festivals. Even the independent shopping area, Wesley Street, has won awards for community spirit. Their Wesley Street Festival is just one of the many events that will fill your calendar. Other highlights include the Southport Air Show, the Southport Food and Drink Festival and Southport Flower show. There’s even a spectacular annual British Musical Fireworks Championships.
As part of England’s Golf coast, unsurprisingly Southport boasts one of the country’s best golf courses, the Southport and Ainsdale – or S&A, as it is known and several more world class golf clubs nearby. A true golfer’s paradise.
Searching for retirement homes to rent Southport, or to buy? 83% of McCarthy Stone homeowners experience a sense of community in their new retirement home.
Transport and connections
From Southport it is easy to reach the rest of the North West region and the town is close to both Preston and Liverpool, which are both around half an hour away by car. Northern Rail runs trains services to Southport Train Station with regular services to Manchester, and beyond, while Merseyside Rail provides frequent routes to Liverpool.
Merseytravel has an online planner to help you with bus and rail timetables around Southport and the region, as well as ferry cruises and trips across the Mersey.
If you’re dreaming of holidays overseas, there are international airports less than an hour away, all with regular train, bus and coach services from Southport. Choose from Liverpool John Lennon Airport or Manchester International Airport - the latter has around 200 global destinations.
Looking for retirement apartments, Southport? Or retirement homes to rent, Southport? All McCarthy Stone retirement developments are carefully located to provide easy access to amenities and attractions.
Surrounding Areas
On the immediate outskirts of Southport, you’ll find the pretty village of Churchtown, which as well as thatched cottages and boutique shops and cafes, has a beautiful Victorian Botanic garden, ideal for a stroll at any time of year.
To the north of Southport, you’ll find RSPB Marshside, this wetland is a haven for wildlife and perfect for birdwatchers, nature lovers and walkers.
For more natural beauty, visit stunning Formby, which has a National Trust protected coastline and Formby Red Squirrel Reserve, as well as a thriving village.
A little further afield you’ll find the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Peak District National Park can be reached in an hour and a half.
If you’re craving a bit of glitz and glamour, Blackpool and its famous Pleasure Beach and ballroom can be reached in under an hour, and from famous football teams to brilliant bands, the cultural attractions of Liverpool and Manchester are also close by.
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Retirement living in Southport. Frequently asked questions
Where is Southport, UK?
Wondering what to do in Southport?
Southport is an attractive seaside town offering all the traditional trappings of a British seas side holiday spot, like fish and chips and a beautiful Victorian pier. It is also a hot spot for independent restaurants, market stalls, boutique shops and cafes and its annual events calendar is packed with festivals from flower shows to fireworks.
How much money do you need to retire?
There are lots of variables that make this a difficult question to answer, but one simple tip is to multiple the amount you’d like to live on every year (say £24,000) by 25 (in this case the answer is £600,000). That is the amount you’d need to save. However this figure doesn’t consider things like your annual state pension, benefits, tax, or the equity you might hold in your home.