The Atkinson is Southport’s home for
music, theatre, art, literature and history

The Atkinson offers an exciting and versatile destination for families, cultural tourists, and arts enthusiasts alike, with a wide-ranging day to night programme. Following extensive investment, our beautifully refurbished 19th-century building hosts a welcoming, accessible, and contemporary arts centre.
Our traditional Theatre and dynamic Studio space feature an outstanding lineup of music, comedy, and performing arts from some of the UK’s leading artists and companies.
The Atkinson houses a remarkable collection, including over 3,500 artworks and more than 25,000 pieces of social history, displayed on rotation in our museum and galleries. Our regularly changing exhibitions showcase pieces from our collection alongside contemporary art, family-friendly displays, and thematic exhibitions delivered in partnership with cultural organisations.
Our visitors can explore life in ancient Egypt through the Goodison Egyptology Collection, brought to life in an interactive gallery funded by the Heritage Lottery. In our Between Land and Sea museum, discover the rich history of Sefton’s coast, from prehistoric times to the present day.
Enjoy handmade items by local artists in the shop or relax at our award-winning café, A Great Little Place, for artisan coffee and fresh, imaginative food. With Southport Library and tourist information onsite, we welcome you year-round for a creative, memorable visit.
Timeline

Our Mission
To be a regional centre for excellence and enjoyment of arts, culture and heritage. A destination where residents, visitors and communities can be entertained, develop inspiration, learning and wellbeing.
To safeguard Sefton’s art and heritage collections, providing an engaging programme of permanent displays, temporary exhibitions and related activities and events.
Our Core Values
• To work with integrity and commitment when bringing you our arts and cultural programme
• To always strive to be the best at what we do
• To listen to our audiences and visitors to help us improve the service we offer
• To keep learning and developing our skills
Management Team
The Atkinson, 19th Century.