Southport
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Southport from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Southport's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Hesketh Park
Southport
A public park opened in 1868 designed by Edward Kemp. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Churchtown Botanic Gardens
Southport
Originally botanical gardens opened in 1875, Churchtown Botanic Gardens became a public park in 1937, shaped by John Shaw, funded through the King George V Memorial Fund.
Ainsdale War Memorial
Southport
First World War memorial by architect Herbert Langman, unveiled 27 November 1920. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Birkdale Signal Box
Southport
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway signal box built 1905. Read the official list entry to find out more.
War Memorial Obelisk, North-east Colonnade, South-west Co…
Southport
WWI war memorial assemblage, 1923, by Grayson & Barnish of Liverpool with A L McMillan, carvings and inscriptions designed and produced by Herbert Tyson Smith, Portland stone, Classical...
Southport through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Southport changes over time.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Southport
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Southport
Southport, crowds gathered for the total solar eclipse, 1927
Southport
Lord Street Railway Station and the town, Southport, 1938
Southport
Pleasureland, Southport, 1925
Southport
Pleasureland and the surrounding area, Southport, 1951
Southport
Hesketh Park and the surrounding residential area, Southport, 1936
Southport
The Hesketh Park Hydro and the Municipal Golf Links, Southport, 1936
Southport
Bath Street, Nevill Street and environs, Southport, 1938
Southport
Hesketh Park, Albert Road (A565) and the surrounding residential area, Southport, 1936
Southport
The Prince of Wales Hotel and environs, Southport, 1934
Southport
The Prince of Wales Hotel, Portland Street and environs, Southport, 1934
Southport in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Southport's past.
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1890 - 1892
A view looking north-east along Lord Street from close to the front of Southport Opera House, with a horse-drawn omnibus travelling westwards along...
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1904 - 1909
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING THE MARINE GARDENS AND PROMEMADE
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Churchtown, Southport, Sefton
Date created: circa 1890 - 1892
A view of the boats and boat house at the south end of the Serpentine Lake at the Botanic Gardens
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS THE PIER AND PAVILION
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Churchtown, Southport, Sefton
Date created: circa 1890 - 1892
A view from the south showing the South Bridge over the Serpentine Lake at the Botanic Gardens, with the roof of the conservatory just visible above...
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1905 - 1910
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING ENTRANCE ARCH
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1950
GENERAL VIEW IN THE GARDEN FOR THE BLIND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1905
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING FOUNTAIN AND BANDSTAND WITH PERFORMANCE UNDERWAY
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING FOUNTAINS AND BANDSTAND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1920 - 1940
GENERAL VIEW OF PEOPLE VISITING GARDENS
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
VIEW LOOKING ACROSS THE FLOWER GARDENS
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Southport.
'England’s Seaside Heritage From the Air’: Historic England Publishes New Book of English Seaside Photographs
Mentions Southport
Written by Allan Brodie, this new book features over 150 aerial photographs of England’s best-loved seaside resorts.
Southport's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
Southport Sands, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A view of Southport Sands with holidaymakers and donkeys used for donkey rides.
Southport Sands, Southport, Merseyside
Southport Pier, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The entrance to Southport Pier and the Marine Bridge. Holidaymakers can be seen in the foreground taking a stroll down the promenade.
Southport Pier, Southport, Merseyside
Promenade Hospital, Promenade, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was originally called the Southport Convalescent Hospital and Sea Bathing Infirmary.
Promenade Hospital, Promenade, Southport, Merseyside
Portland Hall, Portland Street, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was originally a museum. It opened in 1863 as the Royal Museum of Natural History. In 1867 it was converted into the Royal Music Hall.
Portland Hall, Portland Street, Southport, Merseyside
Opera House, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
A resort had to offer suitable entertainment if it was to thrive.
Opera House, Southport, Merseyside
Manchester Road, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A pair of semi detached villas in classical style built for wealthy middle class families and generally found in the suburbs.
Manchester Road, Southport, Merseyside
Manchester & County Bank, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Interior of the Manchester & County Bank, Southport.
Manchester & County Bank, Southport, Merseyside
Eliza Fernley Lifeboat Monument, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The Eliza Fernley Lifeboat monument is in the cemetery in Duke Street. It dates from around 1888-90 and was designed by FW Johnson, architect.
Eliza Fernley Lifeboat Monument, Southport, Merseyside
Discover more
Ready for more local heritage? Take a look at these other places nearby
West Lancashire
Local Authority District
Sefton
Local Authority District
Merseyside
Ceremonial County