Southport - Lord Street & Promenade

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Southport's Lord Street and Promenade, with Explorers helping young local Sandy Grounder track down the lost pirate loot of Captain Jambe du Bois after finding a faded treasure map in a bottle, before rival adventurers beat you to it.

The quest covers 1.1 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll begin at the town end of Southport Pier, in front of Funland, then follow the promenade and Lord Street, explore gardens, arcades and memorial spaces, and loop back to the start point by the Pier at the end, after returning to Nevill Street and the top of the street.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, with level pavements throughout. The route follows the promenade and Lord Street, includes pedestrian crossings and a small side street to cross, goes through gardens and uses a red brick path.

Take care crossing the busy road several times, and watch for vehicles near the road crossings and occasional vehicles in the gardens. During the Christmas period, access to one clue may be affected due to an ice rink.

Getting There

By car: Start your treasure hunt at the town end of Southport Pier, in front of Funland, at the junction of Marine Parade, Nevill Street and The Promenade (PR8 1QX).

By public transport: Make your way to the town end of Southport Pier, in front of Funland, at the junction of Marine Parade, Nevill Street and The Promenade, to begin the quest.

Need the Loo?

There are several comfort-stop opportunities for Explorers along the way. Public toilets are found before leaving the prom after Clues 03/04; on the opposite right-hand corner as you join Lord Street before Clue 05; in the building at Clue 08; and inside the building at Clue 19.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the adventure 🐾

The route follows level pavements along the promenade and Lord Street, with gardens, road crossings and a small side street to navigate. Keep canine companions close around the busy road crossings, near vehicles and where occasional vehicles may use the gardens.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure-hunting along Lord Street and the promenade is thirsty work, but there are plenty of refreshment spots throughout the Trail.

The adventure starts in front of Funland, and there is a kiosk that is currently a cafe on the route, so your crew should have opportunities to refuel while staying on Captain Jambe du Bois' trail.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Southport Pier

The Trail starts at the town end of Southport Pier, alongside Funland, so this is the natural place to soak up a little extra seaside atmosphere. The pier is the second longest in the UK after Southend and the second oldest pier in the country, having opened in 1860.

Lord Street and Wayfarers Shopping Arcade

Lord Street brings plenty of Victorian character to the hunt, with its wide, tree-lined layout, glass-topped canopies, scenic gardens and classical buildings. Keep time for the 1898 Grade II listed Wayfarers Shopping Arcade too, which boasts a stunning glass-domed roof and impressive period decor.

Southport War Memorial

The magnificent Southport War Memorial contains over five hundred names and consists of an obelisk with two Greek-style colonnades. Beside the colonnades are memorial gardens, each containing a Pool of Remembrance and fountains - a more reflective pause in the middle of the pirate pursuit.

Municipal Gardens

The route goes into the gardens between the next pillars, giving Explorers a greener spell during the quest. Look out for the fountain, though it is not always on, and remember that occasional vehicles use this area.

Cambridge Arcade

The adventure also takes you into Cambridge Arcade to the right of the Town Hall and through it to the end. It's a handy spot for a bit of retail therapy en route, especially once your crew has earned a break from map-reading and pirate-loot pondering.