Last week we spontaneously escaped for a few days away in Southport and Formby by the coast in Merseyside.
Liverpudlian friends had recommended the unspoiled beaches there and pretty National Trust red squirrel forest and it’s safe to say we had a total blast.
Returning utterly relaxed having switched off (literally)-no phone or laptop for three days meant soaking up the British sunshine (we were lucky), relishing every moment together from running through sand dunes on the beach in the breeze to forest walks and feasting on fresh seafood overlooking the sea. Utter and total bliss!
Huge thanks too to the incredible service we received at The Garden Court Guest House, a pretty family run B&B (below) by the coast with luxurious rooms and the best full English I’ve ever had!
Pull up a chair and a cup of tea and enjoy this picture-heavy post full to the brim with happy memories!
…The Southport pier was stunning as was the adjacent bridge, it reminded us of when we lived in Bristol! It was at least a mile to the end of the pier but we enjoyed the walk (my legs still ache from all the walking) and you could ride along a little train if you liked too!
Pretty pier time!
You looking at me?
Then onto beach time for collecting pebbles and building sandcastles!
And a foot selfie-felfie for you! Nothing like feeling your toes in the sand! Nature’s pedicure!
We also enjoyed a quick stop off at the nearby Miniature Railway Village-
…Foodies that we are, over the three days we enjoyed many family meals, picnics on the beach and lots of ice cream (hopefully burned off with all the activity)!
The only family picture we have as one of us was always behind the camera! Thanks to the lovely waiter at fab Italian Trattoria 51 Pizzeria for the shot!
Tasty, authentic Italian food was enjoyed there too!
And more ice cream for good measure the following day…
We also headed to the breathtakingly beautiful Formby to enjoy the National Trust beach there as well. You can follow the path to the sea front through an enchanting forest and as the sun shone through the branches, it felt pretty magical…
Natural playgrounds had been created deep in the forest for children to explore and play in-what kids’ dreams are made of!
Oliver balances on a log here-
Then at the top of the hill on a sand dune we built a castle before heading for the sea!
After hours of taking in the salty sea air, we stopped by surrounding pinewoods on the way out to spot red squirrels hiding nuts!
 So sweet!
The following day back in Southport, we hit the shops on the celebrated Lord Street, a Victorian canopied boulevard edged in scenic gardens-hanging baskets went as far as the eye could see…
My husband spotted his surname and possible ancestors on one of the arcades!
A quaint old fashioned sweet shop Sweet Memories in Wayfarer’s Arcade for more sugary treats! (Detox in full swing on our return)…
And Oliver made a familiar friend!
Then as night fell, we headed back to Leeds, the kids soon in deep sleep from all the fun…such a fabulous time was had by all!
Have you been to Southport or Formby?
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A fabulous selection of photos, really showcasing what a wonderful time you had. Can’t believe the length of that pier, it’s crazy!
TheBoyandMe recently posted…Elmer The Elephant Maths Activities (Free Downloadable)
Thanks, it was crazy, such a wonderful few days away, a real highlight of our summer, we’ll be back x
WOW fantastic photos. You look beautiful in the dresses and your children are so cute – how fantastic is the squirrel shot. 🙂
Loving the waiter shot too! x
Sonia Constant recently posted…#Countrykids: Camping in Wales
Thanks lovely, we had so much fun x
Fabulous! That just looks like such a special few days. Your photos are gorgeous, especially of the boys, and everyone looks so happy. Amazing what a bit of focused family time can do for you x #CountryKids
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Silent Sunday: 17 August 2014
So true Sara, it did us the world of good. Thanks for your lovely comment x
Looks like a wonderful getaway. I’ve never been to that part of England before but now I really want to. Beautiful photos! #countrykids
Thanks lovely, really was fab x
Love your pictures especially the one of your boy running along the pier! I don’t think we have been to this part of the country, but I do love the good British seaside especially an ice cream!
Tina Mansfield recently posted…Jungle Paradise Adventure Golf #Country Kids
Thanks so much Tina, it was such a lovely little break x
What lovely photos, do you know? I love those sort of breaks no mobile phones laps toe ect
Time away from the world x
So important to switch off x
Great pics. That’s a bit of coast that we haven’t really explored. Maybe next year.
Erica Price recently posted…42 Days of Summer #Sweeet
Oh you should Erica x
Fab photos. I’ve not been to Southport for years or Formby. It’s only an hours drive so will have to head on over. The boys would love the beach (and the ice creams).
Oh it’s so much fun Rachel, let me know if you do x
Wow! Gorgeous photos! and HOW MUCH have your boys grown?! I wish time would slow down at times xxx
Cerys {mascara and mud} recently posted…10 tips for a successful camping trip…with other families.
Thanks darling, I know, my babies are getting big! xxx
What fab pictures. I do think that a break by the seaside is always ace. If you fancy visiting Saltburn, let me know it is a great place for kids of all ages
Thanks Jen, ooh sounds fab, will let you know if we do!
You’ve got some fab shots there. The pier is magnificent. Nothing quite beats a proper old fashioned sea side town #whatsthestory
So true Louisa, thanks for your lovely comment x
Goodness I was exhausted by juat looking at all the photos and what you got up to. Lovley photos 🙂
Tom @Ideas4Dads (And Mums Too!) recently posted…Review/Giveaway: RockFace4Men Grooming Products
Haha we did pack a lot in Tom but it all felt so relaxing, just what we needed! Thanks x
Oh i have never even been! Would love to though, especially now after seeing your pics.
I love a good model village too x
Hurrah For Gin recently posted…Child free weddings yay or nay?
You would love it chick-model village is hilarious, I needed a magnifying glass! x
Wow, looks awesome! Your wee lad is a cutie! Great picture of the red squirrel as well.
Thanks!
I love the sea but we live about as far away from it as you can get so it’s always a great to visit. Looks like a lovely time and I do,like the look of the pier too.
Iona@Redpeffer recently posted…Boscastle and magic moments
Thanks so much, it was a lovely break and that sea air is so refreshing!
Looks like you had a fantastic time with lots to see and do and lots of yummy food!
LauraCYMFT recently posted…The Uniform is Ready
Thanks Laura, we really did!
Perfection in pictures! What a lovely time with your family. I love the fact that you completely unplugged–no phones or laptops! That’s the best way to unwind–leaving the world completely behind for a little while. Lovely photos! Thank you for sharing them.
Maria
cmntsblog.wordpress.com
Maria recently posted…The One about Lounging
Thanks Maria, you are so right, blogging is my job so I need to turn everything off when we go away x
Stunning photos of a stunning family. You all look so fresh and energised. Beautiful. The places look fabulous too. I am not good at taking holidays in the UK, always instinctively go abroad. But your posts are inspiring me to check out more of the UK.
Ebabee recently posted…6 of the best black and white cushions for kids
What a GORGEOUS collection of photos. It looks like you all had a wonderful time, endless smiles from you all. You’re boys are also so delicious, those brown eyes are going to bowl over ALOT of girls if not already, when they get into those teenage years!! x
Super Busy Mum recently posted…Siblings – August 2014
Aw thanks so much, we had such a fun time-eek for the teenage years! Ha x
Looks like you hada lovely relaxing weekend fantastic pics xx
Amy recently posted…Johnson bedtime lotion – review
Thanks Amy, it was lovely x
Lovely pics, the kids looked like they had a brilliant time!! and all that ice-cream, yummy…whats a seaside trip without ice cream!
Well exactly Elaine! Thanks for your lovely comment x
Oh what a fantastic get away! I just love the British Seaside. We are going away to the countryside next week for a week and I am enforcing a social media ban for the week. Can’t wait! I will be visiting lots of National Trust places too. Yay for holidays! Beaut pics as per xxx
brummymummyof2 recently posted…Rainy Day Doom
Oh gorgeous, so important to switch off properly, have a gorgeous time, gorgeous x
I used to live in Cheshire but I have never been to either. Your photo’s are wonderful. I especially love the ones of the boys (Oh and the squirrel! 🙂 ) It looks like you had an amazing time and a relaxing break x #WhatsTheStory
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Baby’s new loves
Thanks very much, Cheshire is close by, we’d never visited before friends had recommended and truly loved it x
This looks so lovely. Don’t really know that part of the country but this has inspired me to try and get up that way soon. Gorgeous photos too!
Karen recently posted…Moon Sand
Thanks Karen, it really is stunning, so much to see and do, thanks for your lovely comment!
Really does us justice! It’s nice that others agree there are some lovely parts of Merseyside. Unfortunately, we take it for granted because we live here.
Glad you had a lovely break-away xx
Thanks so much Katie, we live in Yorkshire and it’s so true, you often forget how lucky you are, love your part of the woods (literally) x
Oh I adored reading this. So much love jumping out of the page. Looks gorgeous and can tell you have made some amazing memories. Such a pretty place. As usual the boys (well all of you actually) look gorgeous! Made me smile reading this xx
Potty Mouthed Mummy recently posted…Living Arrows {Painting} 32/52
Aw thanks so much beauty, it was such a gorgeous time away, memories we will always treasure, just us four having fun! Thanks for your lovely, touching comment x
What a stunning set of pictures from your time away. They tell your days of family fun so well
Coombemill – Fiona recently posted…Turning Sticks into Fish
Thanks Fiona, we had such a wonderful time, will be linking up to #countrykids with this on Saturday too x
Thanks for linking up and joining in with your fun break.
My pleasure Fiona, thanks for having me x
Lovely photos! Your sons are gorgeous! The foodie pics look relish too 🙂 #WhatsTheStory.
Dean of Little Steps recently posted…Lunch at Chimay, Belgium
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, such a fun time away x
Gorgeous post full of happiness and memories, and stunning photography! Looks like you had a wonderful break! Xx #whatsthestory
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) recently posted…Ten Easy Ideas for Outdoor Play
Thanks so much, such happy, happy times x
honestmum recently posted…A Few Days Away By the Sea in Southport and Formby
Oh wow, so many beautiful photos and it looks like you all had a blast! I’ve never been, but I want to after seeing all of this! x
The Reading Residence recently posted…The New Reading Residents
Thanks, it really was a wonderful break exploring new places for us, you must visit x
honestmum recently posted…A Few Days Away By the Sea in Southport and Formby
Looks like you’ve had an absolutely fantastic, fun filled family break. The beach at Formby looks beautiful and the red squirrel forest. Think I’ll be adding this to my list of places to visit! X
Franki | Little Luca & Me recently posted…Holi One Festival
You would all absolutely love it Franki, seriously stunning part of the world x
Wow the pictures are gorgeous! Looks like ye had a fab time! I take it for granted living by the sea sometimes! It always helps to have nice weather xxx
Oh you are lucky Triona, we are in the countryside but absolutely love how relaxing the sea is-really nourishes the soul x