Marine Lake

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Lancashire

England

Marine Lake

Southport railway station Credit: Daniel Parks

Marine Lake is a picturesque body of water located in Lancashire, England. It is situated in the town of Southport and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Though it may be referred to as a lake, it is technically a man-made body of water that functions as a tidal lagoon.

Spanning an area of approximately 6 hectares, Marine Lake offers a tranquil environment for visitors to enjoy various activities. The lake is surrounded by a promenade, providing stunning views of the water and the surrounding landscape. Boating and sailing are popular pastimes, with many people taking advantage of the lake's calm waters.

One of the lake's unique features is its ability to fill and empty with the tides of the nearby Irish Sea. During high tide, the lake is filled with seawater, creating opportunities for watersports such as windsurfing and kayaking. As the tide recedes, the lake transforms into a freshwater marsh, attracting a diverse range of bird species. Birdwatchers can spot waders, gulls, and other waterfowl in their natural habitat.

Marine Lake is also home to a variety of fish, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. Common species found in the lake include flounder, bass, and mullet. Fishing permits can be obtained from the local authorities for those interested in casting their lines.

Overall, Marine Lake offers a unique blend of recreational activities, wildlife, and natural beauty. Whether it's boating, birdwatching, or simply taking a leisurely stroll along the promenade, visitors to Marine Lake are sure to find something to enjoy in this enchanting Lancashire destination.

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Marine Lake Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.654471/-3.0068601 or Grid Reference SD3318. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Southport railway station

Southport railway station entrance on Chapel Street. The logo of the station operator, Merseyrail, is seen on the left. There are also services operated by Northern.

Daniel Parks

Southport revisited - Marine Drive

Formerly the Marine Drive was just a short loop running from Nevill Street to Rotten Row. The only structures between the Marine Lake and Marine Drive were the Sea Bathing Lake and Pleasureland. The beach then was true sand. Now the Marine Drive is just the central section of a continuous coastal road running from Woodvale to Crossens. The Sea Bathing Lake has gone, to be replaced by the Ocean Plaza housing a number of entertainment and hospitality businesses. The beach is now rather silty and not very pleasant.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Beach to the north of the Pier

To the north of the Pier, the beach was always as much silt as sand. Salt marsh vegetation is now starting to cover extensive areas of this end of the beach.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Marine Parade

The retail and entertainment businesses to the left of the road stand on land which was open beach in my young day.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Land train on the pier

In my young day and indeed right up to 2015, a tram ran along the pier. The rails are still in place, but the tram has been replaced by a land train

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Skateboard park

Skateboards hadn't been invented in my young day; this park was established some time after I left the area. Here just being used by a couple of youngsters on scooters. May be it will be useful for BMX which is likely to increase in popularity after the British success in BMX at the Tokyo Olympics.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Lakeside Miniature Railway

Some things never change. This miniature railway which runs from the Marine Drive to Pleasureland has been running since 1911. Not a great deal of custom on a rather bleak day. Seen from the Pier.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - The Pier

Southport Pier, one of the longest in the country, has, like most piers, had a chequered history. Originally it reached out to a channel through the sands which was deep enough for pleasure steamers sail from the pier head, although that was long before my time. Some catastrophe had shortened the pier before the time in 1954 when I spent a few days on a holiday job giving out change in the amusement arcade at the truncated pier head. In those days, entrance to the pier was by turnstile and a modest charge was levied. Access to the pier is now free and unrestricted. However, access to the further end of the pier where it crosses the beach can be closed off by gates.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Marine Way Bridge

A cast iron bridge dating from the end of the nineteenth century formerly carried Marine Way over the Marine Lake. This was demolished in 1990 and for 14 years there was no road link between the central part of the Promenade and Marine Drive. This striking cable-stay bridge was opened in 2004 to restore the link.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Seaside Fun

At the landward end of the pier. Southport always saw itself at the posh end of the spectrum of seaside resorts - perhaps it has gone down market a bit.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Nevill Street

Southport used to see itself at the posh end of the spectrum of seaside resorts - but Nevill Street always was a bit downmarket.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - The Monument

Back in the 1950s, there were no traffic lights at the Monument, the busy intersection of London Street with Lord Street at the very centre of town. Instead a policeman stood on a little podium directing traffic - even far into the night illuminated by floodlight. By today's standard, an incredibly wasteful use of manpower.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Cycle track on Marine Drive

Formerly the Marine Drive was just a short loop running from Nevill Street to Rotten Row. Now the old Marine Drive is just the central section of a continuous coastal road running from Woodvale to Crossens. A cycle track, part of National Cycle Network route 62 follows the road throughout its length. Long linear carparks flank the road on the landward side.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Marine Lake

The Marine Lake was created on the beach at the end of the 19th century and has been a popular boating venue throughout its history. Originally the Lake was quite small - about 400 metres in length and 120 metres wide. About the turn of the century, the lake was extended under the pier to its present length but retaining its original width and that is the way I remember it from the 1950s. In this image of the northern end, the width of the lake originally only extended from the distant Promenade to the far side of the island seen in view. More recently, the northern end was extended to a width of approximately 300 metres with two large islands in the middle, greatly increasing the scope for boating. A yacht club and a sailing club occupy premises on the seaward side of the Lake.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Northern end of Marine Lake

The Marine Lake was created on the beach at the end of the 19th century and has been a popular boating venue throughout its history. Originally the Lake was quite small - about 400 metres in length and 120 metres wide. About the turn of the century, the lake was extended under the pier to its present length but retaining its original width. Only a low wall separated the Lake from the beach and that is the way I remember it from the 1950s. Reliance was placed on the occasional Spring High Tide to keep the Lake topped up with water. More recently, the northern end was extended to a width of approximately 300 metres with two large islands in the middle, greatly increasing the scope for boating. The bay in the foreground is part of that extension. A belt of sand dunes and the northern extension of the Marine Drive now separate the Marine Lake from the beach. I do not know how the Lake is kept topped up with water nowadays.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Lord Street

The jewel in Southport's crown was always the superb broad shopping street of Lord Street. It retains some of its original elegance to this day. The pavement cafe may be by-product of the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Southport Bridge Club

My father was one-time chairman of Southport Bridge Club which had its own premises on Albert Road. I think the club only occupies the ground floor, with flats on the upper floors. Never got the hang of bridge myself.

Oliver Dixon

Southport revisited - Lakeside Church

This unlikely building at the northern end of the Marine Lake dates from 2010 and houses the Elim Pentecostal Church. It stands on reclaimed land which was just part of the beach back in the 1950s.

Oliver Dixon

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Marine Lake is located at Grid Ref: SD3318 (Lat: 53.654471, Lng: -3.0068601)

Unitary Authority: Sefton

Police Authority: Merseyside