Southport Bed and Breakfasts

The classic British seaside town of Southport, just 20 miles or so north of Liverpool, has been a getaway destination for more than a century. It's been popular since the Victorians sought to escape the big cities in favour of the beaches and attractions along the northern coast. It's got all the trappings of a seaside resort, like a long pier, an attraction-laden promenade and a funfair, making it a firm favourite with families. If you've managed to score 1 of the Southport bed and breakfasts, you can take the kids for some watery fun at Splash World, dive into 1 of the quirky museums or go walking along the coastal footpaths. Of course, if that all sounds like too much effort, the beach is always a good place to while away the days, soaking up the sun or splashing around in the cool ocean.

Ocean views from your seaside B&B, Southport

The bed and breakfasts in Southport have always been the staple accommodation for families visiting the town on holiday. There's nothing better than the home-away-from-home feeling of a seaside bolthole and many get so attached, they visit the same place year on year. The locally born owners always go out of their way to make you feel welcome and their insider knowledge on the best things to do and places to eat is invaluable. To find your perfect B&B, fire up Expedia and search by location and price, scroll through the descriptions and photos, and book in just a few clicks. You'll find the B&Bs to be as diverse as the people who own them. Some are housed in century-old terraced properties that line the streets near the city centre. Others are more stately affairs, with swish guestrooms overlooking the beach and the ocean. If you'd rather save your cash for the attractions, there are plenty of budget options dotting Southport that offer much more than just a place to sleep at night. Whichever you pick on Expedia, you'll always be assured of a stress-free family holiday when you come to Stockport.

The guestrooms come equipped with everything you might expect to find in a hotel, like comfortable double or twin beds, a kettle for making hot drinks and a flat screen TV on the wall. Some have air conditioning in the summer and desks you can use to catch up on a few work emails, using the free WiFi. Others have ensuite bathrooms stocked with toiletries and you'll never have trouble finding Southport bed and breakfasts that offer free parking spots and pet-friendly rooms. When you head downstairs to the dining room in the morning, there's always a home-cooked full English breakfast waiting for you, plus juices and freshly brewed tea. Some even offer lunches and dinners, if you fancy a night in. After your beach holiday, why not make the museum-laden city of Liverpool your next stop?

Family fun on the beach, long walks along the promenade and views from the pier near your B&B, Southport

If the weather is good during the summer most families make a dart for the sandy beach, where they can splash around in the sea or play games on the sand. Towards the end of the day, you can pack up your things and walk along the promenade, or 1 of the country's longest piers where, on a clear day, you can see right across to Blackpool and North Wales. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, there's family fun to be had at the bowling alley, or the rides and arcade games at Silcock's Funland. Staying true to the stereotype of English quirkiness, the British Lawnmower Museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of grass cutting, with plenty of vintage lawnmowers to admire, while the miniature trains that weave through the greenery and small buildings at the Model Railway Village are guaranteed to put smiles on everyone's faces.

• Discover what makes Southport tick by chatting to the locally born owners
• Nab a B&B close to the sandy beach without breaking the bank
• Enjoy a stress-free holiday in the cosy environment of a local's home
• Bring your dogs on holiday to your seaside bolthole