It was once crowned Britain’s Smallest Pub by the Guinness Book of Records One of the country's smallest pubs which boasts stunning lakeside views where you can watch the sunset is right here on Merseyside. As we head into autumn, many of us are still hoping to enjoy little moments of sunshine and warmth before the dark nights and cold weather draws in. But for me, I think I've found the perfect spot where you can get the best of both worlds.
Getting away from the hustle and bustle of Liverpool city centre , I took a midweek trip elsewhere on Merseyside to visit a venue which was once crowned Britain’s Smallest Pub by the Guinness Book of Records - and remains one of the country’s tiniest pubs to date. It's been years since I've spent a lot of time in Southport , but getting off at Southport train station, I headed towards the Marine Lake Promenade, which only took me about 15 minutes to walk to. Off Lord Street, I walked down Neville Street and was immediately transported back to childhood with the smell of fish and chips and also when I saw all the traditional seaside shops selling souvenirs, ice cream, candyfloss and more.
The sun was beaming and I immediately regretted leaving my sunglasses behind, but soon I arrived at The Lakeside Inn, a popular pub raved about by locals and tourists alike. A standout landmark on the promenade, The Lakeside Inn boasts a red-tiled exterior decorated with big, beautiful hanging baskets and has operated as a pub for decades. I've never ventured to this part of the town, but you definitely can't miss the pub and it's definitely worth the trip .
Tucked away on the edge of Southport’s Marine Lake, the venue has seating out front, with a hatch window to order drinks from the bar, as well as seats indoors and more seating on decking outside, offering views out over the water. For a weekday post-lunchtime, the pub was busy with couples and small groups having drinks and soaking up the sunshine. Out back, I grabbed a seat and watched the ducks out on the water, as well as a few people paddle boarding.
You can faintly hear cars driving past, but out on the lake, it's a chilled atmosphere and the perfect place to enjoy a drink and escape from the busyness of life. Inside, the venue is also full of charm and combines original features with framed photos of music icons like David Bowie and The Clash. You can also see the the Guinness Book of Records certificate and a red plaque proudly on the wall.
Husband and wife Stephen and Sue Kirkbride took over The Lakeside Inn a decade ago and continue to welcome customers who have been visiting for years, as well as new who are fascinated by the venue and its history. Stephen, 59, has worked in the hospitality industry for almost 40 years and the couple previously owned The Victoria pub down the road for around 14 years. He told the ECHO: "We're totally independent, It’s just Sue and I who run it.
"It's small, picturesque. It's fantastic in the summer, but also lovely in the winter. It's really welcoming and the views are still spectacular, they don't go away.
It’s just beautiful and we have good beer and good company. The customers and staff are really good. "When we took over, we just modernised it a little bit with new paint inside and out.
It's old but we like to keep it fresh - you don’t want to change it, what would you change it to. Customers like it the way it is so if its not broke don't fix it. "The building has been here a long time, but it‘s had numerous occupations before it was a pub.
I don't think it’s been a pub as long as people think it has, maybe 60s, early 70s, I think." Stephen said they have welcomed loyal, regular customers for years and that alongside the cask ale they offer and the atmosphere at The Lakeside Inn, one of the biggest attractions of the pub is its views. Stephen said he has "been all over the world but never seen sunsets like it.
" Stephen said: " There's still a lot of people who have been coming here since before we had it and we’ve lost people along the way which is sad, but we’ve also had new faces come along. We’re massive supporters of Lifeboat. "We have the Lifeboat crew who come every Thursday night after training.
They've come to us for 20 odd years. "I think its the views over the lake. It's just the setting of where you are, you’re away from traffic and can’t hear much.
There’s no music outside. It's picturesque and beautiful. "There's hundreds of photos of sunset and every night I take one.
I've got a Whatsapp group with all the locals and loads of them say you should get them printed. Even now we’re still getting great sunsets. I wouldn't change anything - it’s beautiful.
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