Looking down across an expanse of sand, the buildings of the seafront can be seen on the horizon

Southport pier and seafront

ByJulia
A closeup of the outside of an arcade. A half dome sticks out over the sign, which reads 'welcome to silcock's funland' A closeup of the outside of an arcade. A half dome sticks out over the sign, which reads 'welcome to silcock's funland'
A young girl sitting on a merry-go-round, smiling as she's enjoying the ride A young girl sitting on a merry-go-round, smiling as she's enjoying the ride
Two women are sitting on the grass in a park. A young girl is sitting with them. The women are watching and smiling at two young boys playing football Two women are sitting on the grass in a park. A young girl is sitting with them. The women are watching and smiling at two young boys playing football
The building is three floors tall, white on the two upper floors. The ground floor is a bar. There are wide windows, many of which are broken The building is three floors tall, white on the two upper floors. The ground floor is a bar. There are wide windows, many of which are broken
Looking across the wooden structure, which has benches and glass panels along it. Three people can be seen in the end section of seating, furthest from the camera Looking across the wooden structure, which has benches and glass panels along it. Three people can be seen in the end section of seating, furthest from the camera
The pier is long, with wooden flooring and wrought-iron lamps arching over the top. The pier is packed with people walking up and down The pier is long, with wooden flooring and wrought-iron lamps arching over the top. The pier is packed with people walking up and down
Looking down at the sand directly beneath the pier. The pier is casting a dark shadow on the sand, as a child standing on the pier and a telescope stand Looking down at the sand directly beneath the pier. The pier is casting a dark shadow on the sand, as a child standing on the pier and a telescope stand
A vast expanse of sand. on the horizon, just visible is Blackpool. A seagull is flying across the sky and a long white pole is sticking out of the sand in the lower right-hand side A vast expanse of sand. on the horizon, just visible is Blackpool. A seagull is flying across the sky and a long white pole is sticking out of the sand in the lower right-hand side
Coming towards the camera, which is looking down the pier, are two teenage girls on skateboards. One of the them is holding a balloon and looking at the floor, the other is looking at the camera Coming towards the camera, which is looking down the pier, are two teenage girls on skateboards. One of the them is holding a balloon and looking at the floor, the other is looking at the camera
A rectangular building with a sloped roof is jutting out from the side of the pier, supported by large pillars on the sand. On the sand just by the building is a small, metal chair. A rectangular building with a sloped roof is jutting out from the side of the pier, supported by large pillars on the sand. On the sand just by the building is a small, metal chair.
Looking down at the sand, through the ironwork structure of the pier, there are lots of footprints Looking down at the sand, through the ironwork structure of the pier, there are lots of footprints
A tall, conical structure, made of reflective metal. It has several flat surfaces going up the sculpture which come to a point at the top, upon which is a round light. There is seating around the bottom of the sculpture A tall, conical structure, made of reflective metal. It has several flat surfaces going up the sculpture which come to a point at the top, upon which is a round light. There is seating around the bottom of the sculpture
Looking down across an expanse of sand, the buildings of the seafront can be seen on the horizon Looking down across an expanse of sand, the buildings of the seafront can be seen on the horizon
A tall structure with iron poles radiating out behind forms part of the bridge. The rest is hidden by trees and a seating shelter in the foreground A tall structure with iron poles radiating out behind forms part of the bridge. The rest is hidden by trees and a seating shelter in the foreground
A Victorian-style shelter with benches and wooden partitions. A few people are sitting on the benches A Victorian-style shelter with benches and wooden partitions. A few people are sitting on the benches

 

Southport is a proper, traditional British seaside resort, born and bred. Although the area’s been inhabited for millennia, the town as it is now began its life in the late 18th century, when it was developed specifically as a holiday destination.

The pier, one of Southport’s signature pieces, was designed by James Brunlees and opened in 1860. It was the first in the country built as a ‘pleasure’ pier (having no industrial purpose). It’s non-industrial purpose is obvious when you walk down it. At just over a kilometre long, it’s is the second longest pier in the UK, yet when the tide is out, the end of the pier is still nowhere near the water.

Along the length of the pier are benches and shops selling ice-creams, hot dogs and the like, and at the end of the pier is a beautiful sculpture, whose design was inspired by the wind and water. The pier also houses a small train for those unable (or unwilling) to walk the kilometre-long pier.

Along the beachfront are myriad cafes, bars, parks, amusement arcades and chip shops, as well as a children’s adventure playground and a fairground. There’s more there that can be done in one day.

 

My photo story

We went for a family day out in Southport in late May. I had a friend visiting for the week, and it was due to be the warmest, sunniest day of the week. So, on the train we hopped.

The combination of the bright sunshine, the architecture of the pier and the vast expanse of flat sand surrounding it made for great opportunities to get some high-contrast abstract shots. And, as the town is a tourist attraction, there were crowds of people around, which made for some really great street-photography opportunities.

It really was a lovely day. We walked the pier, ate chips and lay out on the grass in the sunshine.

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