FOOD FOR THOUGHT – VISIT SOUTHPORT
A true jewel in the crown of North West tourism, Southport is made for groups!
This past weekend, WeWantGroups.com once again teamed up with the titan of travel industry that is Steve Reed Tourism, to take part in the Southport Showcase & Groups Exhibition. A fact-finding mission arranged for tour operators, GTOs and coach operators to get a true flavour of a destination which is keen to welcome more groups – Southport & Merseyside.
And it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Our first port of call on the Sunday evening was the delectable Farington Lodge Hotel, part of the Classic Lodges group.
Located just south of Preston, it is perfectly situated for all groups visiting Southport, Blackpool and anywhere around the Ribble & Fylde areas.
Our group was treated to a drinks reception, followed by a delightful 3 course meal in the company of Classic Lodges’ groups guru Naomi Phillips and her colleagues.
To the coast...!
Monday morning was a bright and early start as we head off on the short journey to Southport for the Groups Showcase. An exhibition of local tourism attractions and venues, hosted at the incredible Waterfront Hotel, Southport. Exhibiting there were the true heavyweights of group-friendly venues, all excited to show what they had to offer.
A magnificent event organised by Steve Christian (Marketing Southport), coordinated by Steve Reed and enjoyed by all.
The Showcase included exhibitors such as:
Rufford Old Hall, the Atkinson Art Gallery, Pleasureland, Formby Hall, Southport Flower Show, Southport Market, Tatton Park, Samlesbury Hall, ENA Mill Retail, Courtyard at Tarleton, Lake District Estates, the Olympus Restaurant and the Beatles Story.
Stay tuned for future updates on these wonderful group destinations.
Wham, Bam, thank you Fam!
All meeting’d out and suitably full from the magnificent lunch provided for us by the Waterfront Hotel, we all boarded our transport for the afternoon provided by Holmeswood Coaches, embarking on a guided tour of Southport town centre (wonderfully explained and detailed by Steve Christian) and a fam trip to the Atkinson Art Gallery, Churchtown Botanic Gardens and the WWT Martin Mere Nature Reserve.
The Atkinson had an amazing array of artefacts, displays and educational material. Much to our surprise, the beautiful 19th Century building is home to an awe-inspiring traditional theatre and a dynamic & modern studio. A must visit for groups of all ages and interests
After the wonderful albeit brief visits to the Atkinson and the Churchtown Botanic Gardens, it was onto the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Martin Mere Nature Reserve a couple of miles away, equidistance between Southport and Ormskirk. A fascinating venue, not just for ornithologists!
After an expert introduction to the site by the wonderfully insightful WWT staff, we were fortunate to be shown around the captivating grounds of the reserve, learning all sorts of weird and wonderful facts about the winged tenants.
*David Attenborough voice*
“And here, we have two of the WWT Martin Mere residents enjoying a Fish Tarka Masala.
It’s similar to a Tikka Masala, but it’s a little ‘Otter….!”
"That's what Steve said..."
“The Showcase helped to reinforce the importance of Southport to the local tourism economy and also reminded the travel trade how suitable the resort is for groups of all types,” said Steve Christian of Marketing Southport.
“The attendees all saw Southport at its best with its stunning seafront, excellent facilities such as secure coach parking and a variety of top attractions to tempt group visits.”
If your group would like to make an enquiry into visiting Southport and any of their neighbouring attractions, please feel free to email steve.christian@sefton.gov.uk