A Fun Filled Day Out at Southport Pleasureland

posted on : 09/05/2022 posted by : Tilly Jaye Horseman 4 Comments

Over Easter I had my nephew staying with me and I always give him many options of things we could do, then let him choose some. After looking at several theme parks and what rides were there, Jacob chose Southport Pleasureland, so that was that. The weather forecast was great all week, so tickets booked and off we went.

Table of Contents

Southport Pleasureland Entry System

I’d not been to Southport Pleasureland for well over 15 years and back then you could just wander through the site and pay for rides as you go. These days however you pay on entry via a wristband system which allows you to go on as many rides as you want as often as you like. This system comes with positives and negatives.

Wooden sculpture of a pirate at the wheel of a ship mounted on a wooden chest, carrying the words Southport Pleasureland. In the background is the staging of the Southport Pleasureland waltzer — This chap greets you at the entrance

It’s unfortunate in many ways as it stops day visitors to Southport from being able to spend a short period of time at the Pleasureland as part of their day out and basically wander through and pay for the odd ride you really want to go on and grab a bite to eat. Instead, you really need to spend at least half a day there to feel you get your money’s worth. On the flip side – for those who love a theme park, and possibly those who wouldn’t have visited Southport otherwise, it provides a fun day’s entertainment at good value. So, while it precludes one type of customer, it attracts another.

Colourful theme park carousel but with vehicles instead of traditional horses. — Southport Pleasureland Carousel

Southport Pleasureland Rides and Attractions

There is a really good mix of rides at Southport Pleasureland – something to keep the little tots as well as the adrenaline junkies and everyone in-between happy.

Adrenaline Rides

There’s a single loop upside down rollercoaster as well as a more rickety coaster called The Rocket. The latter is such a short ride though that I think it should go round the course twice, much like the Runaway Mine Train at Alton Towers.

Red and yellow tracks of a single loop rollercoaster behind a barrier which says roller coaster in large capital letters. — Southport’s single loop rollercoaster

In addition to the coasters there’s a ride called Remix that I cannot really describe the motion of, other than to say it was my fave of the day and the best adrenaline ride that I got to experience. Unfortunately, the Frisbee ride was out of service the day I visited which both Jacob and I were gutted about, as that was the ride we were so excited by in the photos when researching online.

Colourful adrenaline ride in action. Several arms tilt hanging couples forward and backwards while spinning around. — Remix Ride

The jumping frogs ride is also far more pulse racing than it looks. In addition to the high-speed spinning Snow Jet and the stomach churning Waltzer, if you’re a fan of the adrenaline ride, Southport Pleasureland has you covered.

Detail of a theme park ride which spins round hanging cars close to the ground — Snow Jet Ride

Family Favourites

Literally the second ride we went on at Southport Pleasureland was the Log Flume. Compact but with two flumes, both of which fully soaked us, this version of the amusement park classic water ride got my seal of approval.

Excited child stood under the entrance sign for a log flume at Southport Pleasureland — The Log Flume

So much so – I initially stated I did not want to go back on it as I did not want to get THAT wet again, however I caved to my nephew’s plea later that afternoon. His reasoning (in addition to the afternoon sun) was that if we went back on Snow Jet and the Waltzer afterwards, the speed of those would soon dry my hair. I couldn’t fault his logic so on we went again. I got even more wet second time round so don’t go on if you’re not prepared to get a soaking!

Log flume official ride photo from Southport Pleasureland. — The faces of people who didn’t know there was a camera!

It’s so long since I’ve seen a traditional Fun House. Any Grease fans out there? Southport Pleasureland’s Fun House reminds me so much of the one that that Danny and Sandy go into to perform “You’re the One That I Want” at the end of the film. Definitely a retro experience and not one you see that often.

Colourful front of a typical fun house ride attraction that you see at fun fairs — The Fun House

There’s also your typical wave swinger ride, dodgems and a ghost train, though I couldn’t comment on how good the latter is as I do not ‘do’ ghost trains. After being scared out of my skin on ‘Phantom Manor’ in Disneyland Paris when I was 12, plus being a huge arachnophobe, I have refused to go on them ever since.

The Gentle Rides

There are many rides suitable for the little un’s including several that are variations on the rotating carousel or gentle track rides. I love the Southport Pleasureland Cruise which you’ll find just inside the entrance to the park. Here you get to paddle a canoe-like craft around a circular course.

Canoe-like boats being paddled along a water trough coming through a castle turret which advertises the ride name of Southport Pleasureland Cruise — Southport Pleasureland Cruise

There are also trampolines that have no height restriction but that are only for children.

Looking down on a series of 8 trampolines in 2 rows of 4, at a theme park. In the background the dodgems ride is visible — The trampolines

I can highly recommend the Flying Elephant ride, called Dumbo’s (I think) which is open to all as long as those under 1.2m are accompanied. You get a fantastic view overlooking the park from the elevated position and can even get photos and videos easily and safely, something I don’t recommend you trying to do on any of the other rides that move around at height.

looking down on a series of rides at Southport Pleasureland theme park, including a Ferris Wheel on the horizon — View from the Dumbo ride

You can see online which rides have height restrictions, largely indicating the gentler rides.

Other Attractions

There are additional experiences you can do inside Southport Pleasureland such as the bungee trampolines.

Looking down on a set of 4 bungee trampolines at a theme park. — Bungee trampolines

There are also many amusement stalls where you can win prizes, from Hook a Duck (or frog) and throwing rings over bottles, to shooting ranges and basketball hoops. All of these come with an additional cost of course.

You can have your face painted or your caricature drawn, which I was so tempted to have done with my nephew (the caricature that is, not the face painting!)

Southport Pleasureland entrance with a stall doing caricature painting — Caricature painting set up near the entrance

Food and Drink at Southport Pleasureland

There are a number of food outlets in Southport Pleasureland from donut stalls, ice cream stands, coffee and slushie carts, to bars and bistros selling everything from burgers, hotdogs and fish ‘n’ chips, to crepes and waffles. I was very excited to be able to get a giant tub of churros, which you could order with various different dipping sauces.

UK Travel blogger "Travel Junkie Girl" with a large tub of churros at Southport Pleasureland — Churros!

The main shop at the Pleasureland sells pre-packaged candy floss and pick ‘n’ mix, as well as all your seaside favourites such as rock, dummy rings and giant lolly pops. You can also get all sorts of toys, trinkets and postcards there.

Alternatively, you are allowed to bring your own food, drinks, even full picnics in to Southport Pleasureland. There are plenty of green spaces and picnic benches to eat at.

Wooden lych gate structure entrance to a bistro dining area at Southport Pleasureland. The title Bistro is mounted on top of the arch with an old fashioned bicycle with basket sitting on top of the sign. — One of the main eating outlets

Attractive wooden chalet style food stall advertising coffee, burgers, hotdogs and hot waffles on large signs above the serving area. — Where I got the churros from

Experiences outside Southport Pleasureland

There are a number of additional attractions situated just outside Southport Pleasureland, so if you want to extend your day of fun or if you don’t want to go into the main theme park, here’s what else you could see and do.

Rides

Just outside the Pleasureland entrance is a huge Ferris Wheel. You can’t miss it and it gives such an amazing view over Southport and the coast. On a clear day, you can see for miles and you may even spot the high rollercoasters and famous tower up in Blackpool. It costs £6 for adults and £5 for children and does two slow revolutions.

Colourful traditional carousel ride with a large Ferris Wheel in the background. — Carousel & Ferris Wheel just outside the Pleasureland

Alongside the path between the Pleasureland entrance and the lake, there is a large, brightly coloured carousel and a helter skelter. As these weren’t open when I passed, I’m not sure how much they cost.

Miniature Railway

At the southern end of the marine lake, you’ll encounter the Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway, which runs approx. ¾ mile alongside the marine lake from the Pleasureland to the pier. The far end stops just a few hundred yards from the beach front and you can pick up the land train that runs along the 1000m pier, from the amusement arcade Silcocks.

Yellow land train running along tracks on a wooden slatted pier surface. The pier has metal arch structures at various intervals. — One of the pier land trains

The miniature railway costs £3.00 single way and £4.00 for a return journey. It’s worth going just one way on the railway, then walking back along the lake side, through King’s gardens and over the Venetian bridge, which makes for an attractive walk.

Attractive lake with a Venetian style bridge crossing to an island and beyond. There are swans and geese on the water and you can see the cables of a suspension road bridge in the distance. — Southport Marine Lake

Crazy Golf

I noticed outside the Pleasureland entrance, a new adventure golf course is being built which is looking great so far. It will have a Viking theme and is set to be open by the summer holidays. Check out it’s transformation into an exciting attraction here! I will most definitely be returning to try out the golf course. I just go mad for crazy golf.

In the meantime, there is Southport’s original crazy golf course on the town side of the marine lake which isn’t far to walk to from the Pleasureland.

Why not check out my post on Junkyard Golf in Manchester

Final Thoughts on Southport Pleasureland

I thought Southport Pleasureland looked very clean, tidy, bright & cheerful compared to my last visit which I remember as looking quite drab and run down. There are some lovely well maintained green spaces between rides areas with attractive plantings and fun sculptural details which make great photo/selfie opportunities. These range from animals, birds and dinosaurs, to an astronaut and anthropomorphised donut.

Bench situated in front of a dinosaur head sculpture on a piece of grass, surrounded by mini palm trees and attractive landscaping. Behind is a fun fair ride. — I’m a fan of the attractive landscaping within the park.

Child's head poking through the hole of a happy anthropomorphised donut figure, stood on grass with the dodgems ride in the background. — Love the super happy anthropomorphised donut

However, there does seem to be a few sections in the Pleasureland that are closed down. There are some empty areas where presumably some attractions have closed, so I hope these parts get redeveloped at some point.

Considering it was the Easter holidays when I visited, it was very quiet, so we never had to wait longer than one ride length to get on any ride, which is brilliant. Eat your heart out Alton Towers! Though after Jacob dragged me back on the waltzer three times IN A ROW after eating a big bucket of churros, I could have really done with that longer queue time!

I have seen photos on social media that show queues for rides, probably in the main summer holiday period, but even those do not seem too bad when I consider what I have experienced at places like Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Flamingo Land.

I spent about 3.5 hours at Southport Pleasureland in the end and managed to get on everything Jacob and I wanted to, numerous times.

Picnic benches and a green lawn area dotted with animal sculptures sit in front of bright and colourful theme park rides. — Plenty of places to sit & rest the feet

Southport Pleasureland Visitor Information

Opening Times

As a rule, Southport Pleasureland is open at weekends, bank holidays and main school holiday periods. The best way to check which days it is open is by visiting their website which highlights all operational days on a calendar.

On those days, the park is open from 11am – 5pm.

Ticket Prices: (from May 2022)

I have discovered that the ticket pricing structure seems to change on a regular basis and from time to time you get offered large discounts for booking online in advance. In the time since I visited I have seen the prices change 3 times for the same dates, but I have seen them as low as £19.50 for a rider and £9.00 for a non-rider ticket. Please check their online booking system for up-to-date prices. Children under 90cm go in FREE.

Personally, I don’t agree with charging entry for a non-rider but at least there is a reasonable discount at Southport Pleasureland, unlike neighbouring Blackpool which charges full whack for all to enter its Pleasure Beach. I haven’t been there either since they started doing this. I used to like visiting as a teen/young adult when you could just wander through to go on a couple of high adrenaline rides like The Big One.

Selfie of UK travel blogger "Travel Junkie Girl" with her nephew on a flying elephant ride at Southport Pleasureland. You can see the elephant carriage behind them. — On the Dumbo ride

Parking

Southport Pleasureland has two of its own car parks that border the amusement park. One is accessed from the Esplanade and the other from Marine Drive. Both of these cost £8 on the door for all day parking but if you book online in advance, you only pay £6. These car parks close at 8pm.

For cheaper parking, use the Esplanade Park & Ride which is just on the other side of the main road and only costs £2. The park and ride car park does however close at 7pm, so bare this in mind if you decide to do other things after leaving the Pleasureland.

Other Information

It’s great to know that if you are visiting Southport with your pooch in tow, they are welcomed into the Pleasureland as long as they are kept on short leads.
Southport Pleasureland is no longer accepting cash at any of its outlets so make sure you have a method of card payment.
There is a ‘rain check’ policy in place for people who have pre-booked tickets through the website should the park choose to shut due to adverse weather conditions. This can happen more regularly than you think due to its position on the coast and high winds.

Selfie of travel blogger "Travel Junkie Girl" with her nephew on a ride at Southport Pleasureland. — Definitely a fun day out!

Get in Touch…

I hope you enjoyed my review of Southport Pleasureland. It is certainly a fun filled day out. If you’re looking at visiting yourself and have any questions, please get in touch and I’ll endeavour to answer them. Or have you already been? Then drop me a line in the comments below and let me know what your favourite rides were – I’d love to hear from you.

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A Fun Filled Day Out at Southport Pleasureland

Southport Pleasureland Entry System