THE ALHAMBRA, pet friendly, character holiday cottage in Southport

The Alhambra in Southport, Merseyside sleeps 12 people in five bedrooms.

The Alhambra, a three-storey house, consists of a kitchen with electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, two dishwashers, washing machine, living/dining room with Smart TV, woodburning stove, dining seating for eight people, and breakfast bar for two people, study with Smart TV, second-floor kitchen with electric oven and hob, microwave, and fridge, and second-floor sitting room with sofa bed and Smart TV. The bedrooms comprise a ground-floor double, three doubles with en-suite shower rooms, and a second-floor king-size room with an en-suite bathroom, all equipped with Smart TVs, and serviced by a ground-floor shower room. Outside, there is a rear patio with furniture and off-road parking for six cars. Pets welcome. Sorry, no smoking. You'll find a shop and pub in 0.1 miles, beach in 0.5 miles, and lake in 0.2 miles. WiFi, fuel, power, starter pack for woodburning stove, bed linen, and towels inc. in rent. The Alhambra is a lovely base for a seaside getaway in Southport.

Amenities: Gas central heating. 2 x electric oven and hob, 2 x microwave, fridge/freezer, fridge, 2 x dishwasher, washing machine. Smart TV, WiFi. Fuel, power, and starter pack for woodburning stove inc. In rent. Bed linen and towels inc. In rent. Off-road parking for 6 cars. Rear patio with furntiure. Pets welcome. Sorry, no smoking. Shop and pub 0.1 miles, beach 0.5 miles, lake 0.2 miles. Note: There is a  gym access which includes swimming pool, sauna, gym, only a short walk from the house

Region: Benefitting from its Georgian capital city Lancaster, popular for its tourist attractions of Lancaster Castle, Williamson Park and the wonderful Way of the Roses cycling route, Lancashire offers a range of hidden gems you won't want to miss. With Blackpool close-by, you won't be short of things to do with Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower, the SEA LIFE centre and its 32-acre Zoo.

Town: Southport, along with its neighbour Ainsdale, lies on the coastline where the Irish Sea meets North West England. The town was founded in 1792 when an innkeeper, William Sutton, built a bathing house at what is now the south end of Lord Street, the main road running through the town. The town was small and not very widely populated until the turn of the 19th century when it became popular with tourists due to the easy access it provided to Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It quickly expanded and now boasts the second longest pleasure pier in the British Isles, the Southport Pier Tramway, and Lord Street, an elegant, tree-lined shopping destination. From Birkdale to Woodvale, sand dunes stretch along the coastline, and in Ainsdale in particular, the dunes have now been listed as a National Nature Reserve and a designated Ramsar site. The coastline stretches for 22 miles, with plenty of beaches to be discovered, making this classic seaside resort the perfect place to relax and unwind. There are scenic parks and gardens to explore, fabulous shopping opportunities, and exciting nightlife, as well as a mouth-watering array of restaurants and traditional seaside amusements. Stroll down the UK’s oldest iron pier and try the old penny slot machines in the Pavilion, or ride traditional carousels at Silcock’s Funland. Family attractions include Splash World, Martin Mere, and Farmer Ted’s, while The Atkinson, an £18 million arts venue, is set in a Grade II listed building hosting a variety of visual and performing arts events. Southport’s extensive events programme includes the World Musical Fireworks Championships, the Southport Food and Drink Festival, Southport Air Show, Southport Flower Show, and the Southport Jazz Festival. It is part of England’s Golf Coast and is home to seven championship courses, including Royal Birkdale, which hosts The Open Championship in 2026. Founded by Ex-Racing champion Brian Radam, don't forget to visit the popular British Lawnmower Museum, where garden lovers can geek out on the history of lawnmowers, or enjoy a family day out at Southport Model Railway Village. In a great spot for a beach break, there really is something for everyone!