9th - 10th September 2023
The Strikemaster pair in 2019
Following cancellation in 2021, the Southport Airshow was back with a July show for 2022 but moves to September for 2023.
The RAF are usually very supportive, typically offering displays by the Red Arrows, BBMF and other teams. Their contribution for 2023 will not be known until the spring.
Tickets are now on sale. Required but free for accompanied under 16s.
Southport, Merseyside, is on the coast of the Irish sea, not far from Liverpool. There is a very deep expanse of sand. As well as the sand, another backdrop for the displays is the very old but modernised Southport Pier, the second longest pleasure pier in Great Britain.
Southport is unusual in three respects. Firstly, because the beach is so deep there are displays over the sand, whereas at other seaside shows the aircraft would always be over water. The second novel feature is that Southport charges, so you have to buy tickets to get the best views. Southport has managed to make this work, unlike unsuccessful charging experiments at seaside shows elsewhere. Thirdly, some light aircraft land on the beach before the main displays, so there are ground aircraft movements, whereas at other seaside shows all displays would fly in and fly out.
| Aircraft due to fly will be listed here when knownPlease check the show's site for the latest list | |
|---|---|
| Flying | |
In case there are mistakes or changes, please check the
show's site for the latest list. | |
Use the postcode PR8 1RY until you get close enough to pick up the airshow direction signs. Follow the signs in preference to the sat nav once you see them, as there may be traffic diversions in place.
There are links to other route planners in the Travel Advice section.
Northern Rail operate direct services to Southport from Manchester city and airport, Bolton and Wigan. Merseyrail go direct to Liverpool airport and city. From Manchester and Liverpool there are connecting services nationwide.
It is best to book as far as possible in advance. This is not only because nearby hotels and guest houses tend get booked up well before the date of an airshow but also because prices can be better when you book early online.
There are plenty of booking agencies. We find that many of the well known ones are better at finding hotels from international or larger UK chains and may suggest hotels in main towns or cities quite a distance from the show site.
Premier Inn have one hotel in Southport itself, another just outside, in Ormskirk and more in Liverpool and Preston.
Travelodge have one hotel in Southport itself and more in Lytham St Annes and Blackpool.
Click any of the blue names to go to the corresponding web site. The links already have the location built in, but please check, and change as necessary, the dates, number of rooms and number of guests.
The Met Office 7-day forecast includes actual and "feels like" temperatures, the likelihood of rain, wind speed, wind direction, wind gusts and visibility: the latter can have an impact on the viability of displays.
The BBC's 14-day forecast has overall conditions including and hourly estimate of temperature, wind direction, wind speed and UV range.
Click the blue-text link to go to the forecast. The location is already built into the links.
September 9 - 10
Southport Tourism
Southport Town Hall
Lord Street
Southport
PR8 1DA
Tickets now on sale. They are required, but free, for under 16s, who have to be accompanied by an adult.
Information for traders and exhibitors
Parking information is on the show's web site
Gates and attractions open at 10:00
Sat Nav PR8 1RY
For links to other travel and route planning web sites, click the 'Getting there' tab