David Ogle: First Light

Our galleries are closed, but you can still admire David Ogle’s installation on the The Atkinson’s façade during your daily exercise.

Commissioned by Festival of Hope Sefton, the installation covers the front of The Atkinson in greenery, reflecting the length of time the building remained closed and dormant during the first Lockdown.

Rising above the greenery is a striking, brightly lit, sun disk. The sun disk radiates positivity and hope of The Atkinson re-awakening, and illuminates the building after dark with its other-worldly form.

David Ogle, First Light, The Atkinson, 2020. Images courtesy David Brown Photography.

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28 November 2025

Beauty and the Beast: Final Cast Announcement

The Atkinson in Southport is inviting audiences to “be their guest” this Christmas as it unveils the full cast for its 2025 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast.

15 November 2025

12 Days of Christmas Trail

Explore the town centre this Christmas and discover twelve handmade crochet displays, made by local group Southport Hookers

10 November 2025

Captioning Awareness Week 2025

We're proud to support this year's Captioning Awareness Week, led by Stagetext, a deaf-led charity bringing text-based deaf access to arts and culture through captions and subtitles.

27 October 2025

Winners Announced!

Inspirations: Poetry & Creative Writing Competition

24 October 2025

A crochet Spitfire has landed outside The Atkinson!

The tribute is dedicated to the Polish Airmen who flew from RAF Woodvale during World War II and marks 80 years since the end the war.

18 October 2025

Harry Fletcher: A Review of the 150th Anniversary Exhibition

Portrait painter and art lecturer, Harry Fletcher, shares his experience of the 150th Anniversary Exhibition.

18 October 2025

New Exhibition -
Linny Venables: Sweet Factory

A major new exhibition celebrating the rich, shared histories of sweet making, working-class food traditions, and seaside culture.

17 October 2025

October Half Term

Looking for a day out that’s packed with creativity, imagination, and fun for all ages this Half Term? The Atkinson is the place to be!

15 October 2025

Exhibition Postponed

Etching Between The Lines: Lucian Freud and the Art of Studio Prints

6 October 2025

Annabel Croft:
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17 September 2025

Pick of Edinburgh Fringe at The Atkinson

Couldn’t make it to Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year? Don’t worry we’re bringing the laughter to Southport.

10 September 2025

A Beast of a Panto Awaits as First Cast Members are Announced!

With Christmas on the horizon, The Atkinson in Southport is inviting families to step into a tale as old as time with this year’s spectacular pantomime Beauty and the Beast.

21 August 2025

Coastal Jam

Southport Set for Two-Day Music and Family Festival This September

18 August 2025

Join our team!

If you are interested in connecting communities, we want to hear from you.

15 August 2025

Commemorating VJ Day

A Japanese sword is part of our history collection.

23 July 2025

Discover Family Fun at The Atkinson - All Summer Long!

Your go-to destination for a creative, fun-filled family day out.

22 July 2025

Join our team:
Casual Customer Assistant

Do you have a passion for customer service?

12 July 2025

Winners announced!

Sefton Young Artist of the Year 2025

8 July 2025

Join our team:
Marketing Assistant

Do you have experience creating high-quality, distinctive, and engaging marketing campaigns?

4 July 2025

2025 Christmas Panto:
Beauty & the Beast

Be Our Guest This Christmas in Southport!