I went to a Merseyside town for a holiday and so much had changed since I was a child

Many people from Merseyside and further afield, will likely have visited Southport for a day out or a short break over the years.

As a child , it was almost a rite of passage to spend a day at the Sefton seaside with family. But over the decades much has changed with restaurants, bars and shops closing.

Recently, reporter Jon Macpherson, from Lancs Live, decided to take a "mini holiday" in Southport, to see if it still provides him with fun-filled days, as it did as a child. He stayed at The Waterfront Southport Hotel, located just off Marine Drive which he described as being in a prime location and filled with "chic rooms, fantastic décor, and friendly, welcoming staff."

This is what Jon Macpherson had to say about his staycation: The Waterfront boasts one of the best locations in town, offering stunning views over Marine Lake, and is also within a short walking distance to shops and the main centre. It even has its own underground car park, making it an ideal base for exploring Southport either on foot or by car, before returning to unwind.

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In the mornings, it offers a fantastic fry-up, and by night, dinner at the Waterfront Marina Restaurant is both delicious and generously sized. There's also a charming Sun Terrace with stunning views of the coast and the chance to enjoy the ultimate relaxation experience with nearby swimming pools, hot spa facilities and a gym.

After arriving and settling into our room we were keen to make the most of it, so we embarked on a walk along Lord Street's beautiful tree-lined boulevard. Our destination for the evening was The Grand.

This luxurious restaurant, nestled inside a magnificent art deco building, boasts a perfect five-star rating on TripAdvisor and last year was acknowledged as being among the top 10% of restaurants globally. It's not hard to see why.

Offering up exquisite food in a fantastic atmosphere, with a wonderful pianist and unrivalled service, it made for a truly unforgettable evening. The arancini, confit duck and sesame salad, rack of lamb and Eton mess we selected from the menu all come highly recommended. It was some of the best food we've enjoyed in a while.

The Grade II listed building is deeply rooted in Southport's history, and a simple gaze around the room transports you to a bygone era of glitz and glamour. Over the past 101 years, it has served as a garage and car showroom, a luxury cinema, an independent bingo club, and then a casino.

The Grand, which opened its doors in July 2022, is already considered one of Southport's gems. We're eagerly anticipating our next visit. As a child, I was always thrilled to play on the 'flirt pennies' at the seaside, so the chance to visit Silcock's Funland, just a stone's throw from our hotel, was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. Equipped with a tub full of 2p coins and a pocketful of £1 coins, we happily spent a good hour on the various slot machines and pricier arcade game classics.

The hall of mirrors also provided a good laugh, nearly giving my partner a Marilyn Monroe moment due to unexpected gusts of air from the floor. From there, we strolled around the corner to indulge in another nostalgic activity - a round of crazy golf. At just £5 each for 18 holes, Masters Putting Course offered great value for money, and there was even a chance to win a free go on 'hole 19'.

Unfortunately, neither of us had the skill to claim the prize. Our relaxed Saturday morning carried on with a pleasant walk around Southport's hidden gem - Marine Lake.

A trip to the lake wouldn't be complete without a spin on one of the self-drive motor boats. It offered a fantastic chance to see more of the stunning lake and get close to the charming swans, ducks and geese that glide around.

Lord Street is the town's renowned shopping destination, boasting a mix of designer, high-street and independent stores, as well as a plethora of superb cafes and restaurants. One place we were particularly keen to visit was Southport Market.

This was our first visit since its opening in 2021, and it was truly a sensory delight. As we deliberated over where to eat, we sipped on some pornstar martinis and meticulously perused the tantalising menus at each stall before making our choice.

My partner, being a fan of Greek cuisine, naturally gravitated towards the offerings from Pitamu. She opted for a wrap meal accompanied by some halloumi fries. Fortunately, the portion size was so generous that she couldn't finish it all, allowing me to gallantly step in and assist. This was after I had polished off my own 'Beefy Boy' burger and seasoned fries from Lennys.

It was heartening to see the market bustling with diners of all ages, including numerous families, contributing to a fantastic atmosphere. The concept, which draws inspiration from the European tradition of social dining and champions local produce while evoking a sense of Victorian seaside nostalgia, is brilliantly executed.

After a hearty meal, we decided to explore the town centre of Southport. It's not just about fish n' chips and sandcastles here; there's also the elegant Atkinson Arts Centre, which hosts a variety of music, comedy, theatre and exhibitions.

Blessed with glorious sunshine, we headed to the Botanic Gardens for a leisurely stroll. These well-kept Victorian gardens are a riot of colour and the perfect spot for a picnic, bird-watching or simply relaxing with an ice cream.

No visit to Southport is complete without a trip to Windmill Animal Farm in Burscough. It's a fantastic day out for all ages, come rain or shine, with plenty to keep you entertained. Despite the rain setting in during our weekend getaway, it didn't dampen our spirits or those of the other visitors at the farm. The majority of activities are undercover, so we were able to enjoy our day out fully.

We started our adventure by purchasing several bags of feed for the animals before hopping on the miniature railway train for a delightful ride around the working farm, which has been welcoming visitors for over 30 years. As lovers of highland cows, my partner and I were thrilled to see them grazing peacefully in their fields alongside sheep, goats and deer.

We timed our visit perfectly to participate in the first bottle feeding session of the day in the lambing barn. This charming experience, along with the train ride, is included in the entry fee and is worth every penny.

An unexpected highlight of our visit was the opportunity to hold and stroke lizards and snakes in the farm's reptile area, including a sizeable yellow and white python. The newly expanded 'Reptile Area' is located in the main barn, where you can also interact closely with adorable guinea pigs and rabbits.

For families and visitors with children, there are brilliant outdoor and indoor play areas, as well as pedal carts, quad bikes, and roller racers. This year, the farm's Maize Maze is set to reach a record height, and we're eagerly anticipating another visit this summer to give it a go. If it's been a while since your last visit, there are plenty of new hidden gems to discover.

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