Southport is a seaside town on the Irish Sea coast within the Sefton borough of Merseyside, England. It is to the north of Liverpool, and west-southwest of Preston. Southport has a population of around 100,000 with approximately 40% of the population over 55 years old and around 55% defined as social class ABC1.

Historically part of Lancashire, Southport has many tourist attractions including Southport Pier, the second longest pleasure pier in Great Britain. Southport has a fairground which originally opened in 1912. After closure in 2006 it has now been re-opened as New Pleasureland .

The town is one of England's finest examples of Victorian (19th century) town planning and domestic and retail architecture. Whilst some of the original housing stock has been replaced by modern apartment building some outstanding examples may still be found. These include much of Lord Street, the Cambridge Hall, the Town Hall and two Arcades. A particular feature of the town is the extensive tree planting that was one of the conditions required by the Hesketh family when they made land available for development in the 19th century (Hesketh Park at the northern end of the town is named after the family).

Churchtown - the oldest part of the town - has an attractive village square in front of St Cuthbert's Church and is also the location of the Southport Botanical Gardens.

The town is also famous for its extensive sand dunes that stretch for several kilometers between Birkdale and Woodvale. The fauna in this area includes the rare sand lizard. The links land behind the dunes in Ainsdale is the home for one of the UK's largest colonies of Natterjack toads. In the Summer the dunes feature an outstanding display of Evening Primroses.