The Atkinson
The Atkinson
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Atkinson is Southportā€™s home for music, theatre, art, literature and history. We offer an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. Our traditional Theatre and dynamic Studio space present an outstanding programme from some of the UKā€™s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies. Our museum and gallery are home to an impressive collection holding over 3,500 artworks and over 25,000 pieces of social history, which are displayed on rotation. The Atkinson is also home to Southport Library who offer a range of services to the local community. The Atkinson is open throughout the year and present a varied seasonal programme and changing exhibitions, events and lectures, so whatever time of year you visit, we offer a fun, creative and varied day out with family or friends.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
What is Travellersā€™ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellersā€™ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • alanjohn2015
    Greater London, United Kingdom35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An enjoyable evening
    We had an enjoyable evening listening to the Sandy Denny Experience in the Studio at the Atkinson. The Studio provides a more intimate setting for smaller audiences than the main theatre. Itā€™s comfortable, easily accessible and not far from the bar.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 21 March 2023
  • Ducatibabe
    Cheltenham, United Kingdom892 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice museum/gallery/cafe/civic centre.
    Nice place, well used, clean, interesting displays. Really nice to wander around for an hour or so. Friendly lady in reception told us what was going on as the exhibitions were changing over, & where everything was. Well worth an hour or so to visit & an interesting little museum on the top floor.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 21 March 2023
  • Susan H
    Liverpool, United Kingdom3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely Theatre
    What a lovely theatre. We went on Friday to a talk by Gordon Buchanan. He was fabulous. The whole evening was just so nice. I would highly recommend going to events at the Atkinson. So much so I have booked another visit already.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 22 March 2023
  • susan m
    Wigan, United Kingdom14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hidden Gem
    Lovely little theatre no matter where you sit the views are great it's a hidden gem ....highly recommended . Staff are very helpful. Added bonus of interesting exhibits art gallery and museum. Well worth a visit and round it off with a drink and cakes in the cafe.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 24 March 2023
  • john w
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    First visit to the Atkinson Theatre
    Superb 425 seat theatre with steep rake so a good view from any seat. The whole building seemed newly decorated, staff were friendly and helpful and the show 'Teechers' was brilliant. It was our first visit but we shall definitely be back.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 March 2023
  • Jenny W
    Liverpool, United Kingdom6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Grease was a superb performance
    Went to see a Grease production performed by a local youth group called song what a brilliant evening. The main characters all had strong voices and the performance was way above amateur. It was great value for money a full evening of entertainment. If I had a small complaint the main voice was sometimes drowned out by the louder backing singers or background music.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 15 April 2023
  • Paul&Abbey
    Leigh, United Kingdom131 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Outstanding
    The Atkinson is by far our favourite go to venue for any show. Staff are excellent and second to none such a great helpful team which is just one of a long list of things they consistently get right. We are back again in June and cant wait, comfortable and easily accesible, great shows and great prices. The Atkinson is a valuable asset to Southport and one of the main reasons we visit the Town. Well done and Thank You. šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 April 2023
  • Stephen J
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nearly Dan concert 15/4/23
    Great show. Sold out event again. First time to the Atkinson and it was excellent. From the ticket office to the bar all the staff were first rate. Well organised and very relaxed atmosphere considering there were two sold out shows on that night. Can't recommend this enough. Have already booked other shows. Thanks to all staff.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 April 2023
  • Rory G
    Burscough, United Kingdom20 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great venue, great entertainment!
    We went to see the amazing Nearly Dan, a cover group of Steely Dan, in the studio at the Atkinson. The setting and the band were magnificent. The only slight mar on the evening being an idiot and his friend sat centre row at the front who talked all the way through and one was vaping despite the staff's request to stop. Luckily the band were so engrossing that this was a minor irritant. The venue is great, go if you can, you won't be disappointed!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 April 2023
  • keith b
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Local jewel for live music
    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! In fact two more future bookings pending!! Thank you.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisorā€™s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,011 reviews
Excellent
690
Very good
227
Average
55
Poor
21
Terrible
19

Claire V
North West England, UK5 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Solo
Went to see Irish Annies. It was entertaining from the beginning to the end. Took a little while to get into the mood, highlight was the appearance of Ricky Tomlinson. A good night out!
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LBr
Southport, UK26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Friends
Great play with great actresses. Lovely venue with friendly staff. Free play for International Womenā€™s Day. Just a shame this was perhaps not advertised wider as the studio had many vacant seats.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TerryW
4 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Solo
Only wasnā€™t a five because the smoke machine pumped smoke into the audience causing discomfort for some customers myself included.
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roger T
Lancaster, UK19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Solo
A terrific performance from Charlie Dore and her musical partner. We were treated to a wide variety of songs both humorous and serious played with great musical skill on guitar, portative pipe organ, mandolin, electric piano, ukelele.
Surprisingly for her large body of work it is extraordinary that she is not better known.
The whole presentation was great fun, rather than segueing from one number to the next there was banter between the two concerning whether they had even performed the following number before or where Charlie kept her capo (in her bra seemingly).
A high spot for the audience I felt was a song called Ordinary Names, a poignant list of English Christian names that are no longer used, Pamela, Walter, Mildred and so on.
A great evening!
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephanie H
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Family
Lovely theatre was the first time coming. Brought my granddaughter to watch the Gruffalo's child, we both loved it. Staff very friendly and very helpful. Would come again for sure
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

niftyfiftyone
Liverpool, UK138 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Family
Really successful trip to see the Gruffalo and visit the library and museum. A shame the cafe and museum closed half an hour before the performance. Good pizza place just outside though.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debbie O
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 ā€¢ Family
First time here and wow can't wait to come back
Seating area perfect
Staff amazing
Prices reasonable for drinks and the ability to pre order was brilliant
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Atlantis2020
United Kingdom9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 ā€¢ Couples
Brilliant staff always so helpful, lovely clean theatre and easy system to book events. We Visit often for shows , always very well organised. Staff always seem happy to help.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janet C
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 ā€¢ Couples
Never knew this place existed - booked Roy Orbison story it was fantastic- I had actually seen this in Manchester in the big theatre for a lot more than this and this was on my door step. Bar great, staff amazing and the act was amazing- definitely be going again soon.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen G
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 ā€¢ Family
I can't believe that I haven't been to the Atkinson Theatre before! It's brilliant! Staff all very friendly and helpful. Seating was great too! The show, Totally Tina was entertaining, and funny! Well worth Ā£25!! We will be back.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ā€¦
Showing results 1-10 of 1,007
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

THE ATKINSON: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Atkinson

The Atkinson is open:
  • Mon - Sat 10:00 - 16:00