A Fun Filled Day Out at Southport Pleasureland

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Further Reading

You may be interested in my other posts of places to visit in Merseyside…

Take a walk from Southport’s Esplanade Pay & Display car park to Ainsdale Sands through Victoria Park and the Ainsdale and Birkdale sand dunes. (This post will be updated very soon as I will be re-walking this route in Summer 2022. Updated photos will be far superior to the current ones from my early blogging days when I first walked this route.)

Visit Anthony Gormley’s famous iron men at Crosby Beach

Join a free walking tour through Liverpool – you get to see some really great places.

Visit the Dream at Sutton Manor Woodlands – a major filming location in the huge Netflix drama “Stay Close”.

Take a walk at Clock Face Country Park near St Helens – one of my favourite places to walk my dog.

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