Heritage festival comes back to Southport with fresh venues and expanded programme
The annual Southport Heritage Open Days festival is set to return from 11 to 20 September 2026, bringing a broad programme of local history and culture to the town. Organisers say the event will feature more than 40 activities across a range of locations, several of them new to the festival this year.
The festival forms part of England’s wider Heritage Open Days scheme and offers residents and visitors the chance to explore historic buildings, hear talks from local experts and discover previously unseen corners of Southport’s past. Highlights already confirmed include inside visits to the former Southport Magistrates’ Court on Albert Road, access to St Cuthbert’s Church in Churchtown and a series of talks and exhibitions at venues along Lord Street and the Promenade.
"England’s largest festival of history and culture returns 11th-20th September 2026."
New and notable venues
This year’s additions expand the range of sites taking part. Confirmed items in the early programme include:
- Guided access to the historic former Southport Magistrates’ Court (now the Access Point offices) on Albert Road — a building that has also been used as a film and television location;
- A look inside St Cuthbert’s Church in Churchtown, the town’s oldest church site, with a recorded ecclesiastical presence at this location dating back to the 12th century;
- A talk by leading signwriter Graham Booth at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant, covering his hand-painted work including the famous Silcock’s Carousel;
- Dr Julia Paul presenting "Behind The Headlines Of Southport’s Newspapers" at The Atkinson; and
- Events at The Windmill pub on Seabank Road recounting more than 150 years of local social history.
Visual and contemporary arts are also represented. 3D artist Joe Hill will present work revealing the buried Victorian Nevill Street — once a busy subterranean route to the beach — while Arthouse has scheduled events inspired by the distinctive Salus building (formerly the Jaeger building) on Lord Street.
What this means for Southport
For residents the festival offers an opportunity to deepen local knowledge and for community groups and small businesses to showcase their premises. Opening up buildings such as the former Magistrates’ Court is likely to attract interest from local history enthusiasts and film buffs alike, while talks by well-known practitioners and historians will help connect younger audiences to Southport’s layered past.
Local hospitality and retail venues along Lord Street and the Promenade should also benefit from increased footfall during the ten-day festival. The mix of indoor talks, gallery events and family-friendly activities is designed to appeal to a wide cross-section of the town — from long-term residents to seasonal visitors planning autumn trips.
How to take part
Organisers are still accepting venues and volunteers, but the deadline to register interest is approaching. Those keen to take part are invited to register by emailing [email protected]. A fuller programme will be published on the Heritage Open Days website as more events are finalised.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Southport Heritage Open Days festival | 11–20 September 2026 |
| Programme and updates | Available via the Heritage Open Days website |
The festival’s early-lineup suggests a programme that balances architectural discovery with personal stories, conservation-minded talks and creative reinterpretations of local history. With several new venues this year, Southport’s Heritage Open Days could offer some unexpected perspectives on familiar streets and buildings.
Residents should watch the Heritage Open Days listings for times and booking details, and local groups interested in taking part are encouraged to get in touch soon to secure a place in the schedule.
