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Let us reintroduce ourselves…

The Atkinson is Southport’s home for arts, culture and entertainment. Throughout 2023 we are celebrating 10 years since our multi-million pound refurbishment. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to help you discover all The Atkinson has to offer; museums, exhibitions, live entertainment, literature and more!

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

The Atkinson Visitor Voices

“Lovely museum, exhibition, shop and cafe! There was a good variety of art work to see. Staff had great knowledge and were very helpful.” – Becky H

“Been to see a number of shows here recently and very impressed with both the studio and auditorium venues. Staff are all friendly and helpful and our experience has always been positive. We’ll be back!” – Keith B

“A brilliant experience and a perfect venue.” – John C

“The Atkinson is a great place to visit on a nice day in Southport. There’s enough to keep the kids busy in an educational setting.” – BlackbirdCherryPie

“This is absolutely worth a visit if you find yourself in Southport!” – Eccentric87

“Exceptional theatre, great staff and a wide choice of entertainment.” – Paul PR

“The Atkinson is a little hub of activity, from the café to the gift shop. Total pleasure to visit!” – Sue M

“This is a great place to spend time with the family. You can watch great plays in the theatres, read amazing books in the library, dive through history in the museum and then relax & grab a bite to eat in the café.” – Max W

“Great exhibits and beautiful paintings, found out a lot of history about the local area.” – Rose A


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Latest News

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25 March 2026

Easter Weekend Opening Hours

Check out our updated opening hours for Easter weekend

24 March 2026

Blackeyed Theatre’s New Sherlock Holmes Thriller

Blackeyed Theatre are bringing major UK tour of Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty to The Atkinson

19 March 2026

Spectacular open-air ballroom Cristal Palace comes to Southport

Town Hall Gardens to be transformed into a glittering open-air ballroom for the spectacular Cristal Palace 

9 March 2026

Join our team:
Operations Assistant

We’re looking for a proactive and hands‑on individual to support the smooth, day‑to‑day running of our vibrant venue.

5 March 2026

World Book Day 2026!

From a page to the stage, check out these must‑see shows inspired by beloved reads

23 February 2026

Galleries Temporarily Closed for Exciting Changeover

Our galleries are temporarily closed as we begin preparations for The Sefton Open 2026, one of the biggest annual celebrations of local creativity

18 February 2026

Powerful new ‘Where I Should Be’ exhibition by Ukrainian photographer Nina Karetska

A moving new photography and art exhibition at The Atkinson in Southport shines a light on the heartbroken yet resilient Ukrainian families who have moved to the UK while war wages in Ukraine.

12 February 2026

Lightport: Reflecting on The Atkinson’s Light‑Inspired Exhibitions

As Southport prepares to glow with the arrival of Lightport, we invite you to take a trip down memory lane to the light‑inspired exhibitions The Atkinson has showcased over the years.

21 January 2026

The Atkinson Awarded Museum Accreditation

The Atkinson is delighted to have received Accreditation status, administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Accreditation scheme.

19 January 2026

Chase the Rainbow: Southport Lights Up February Half Term

Southport is set to glow this February half term as Lightport, a brand-new free immersive light art experience, takes over the town’s iconic Lord Street.

16 January 2026

Blue Monday: How Comedy Can Beat the Blues

Discover why Blue Monday is called the most depressing day of the year and how laughter can turn it around.

16 December 2025

Christmas Gift Guide

A festive Gift Guide inspired by the unforgettable characters of our Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, with thoughtful gift ideas and experiences available right here at The Atkinson.

10 December 2025

Iconic Crosby Beach Images Land at The Atkinson

Stunning photographs of Crosby beach’s Iron Men, taken over two decades by Crosby photographer Ron Davies, goes on display on Saturday.

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.