Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport (Image: Andrew Brown Media)
Just north of Southport, the ‘quaint’ village of Churchtown with its ‘old fashioned charm’ is drawing visitors from across the globe. Merseyside boasts numerous historical villages, but perhaps none so distinct as Churchtown.
Steeped in Lancashire heritage, local pride is evident with red rose stickers celebrating a legacy that traces its roots back to the Domesday Book. Churchtown is not only a recognised conservation area but also boasts picturesque sights like the stunning Botanic Gardens, enchanting thatched cottages, and an array of delightful cafes and pubs. The medieval feel of Churchtown is so well-preserved that if not for the modern cars parked along the roads, one might believe they had stepped back in time.
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Southport’s last pie maker Rob Marshall at The Farmhouse Kitchen in Churchtown (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Lifelong local Mark told the Liverpool ECHO: “It really is just the most beautiful village.
“I’ve lived here for 70 years and it’s not changed much. It’s still got the same charm it had when I was a child – I suppose you might call it ‘old-fashioned charm’, but it really is.”
Rob Marshall, owner of the Farmhouse Kitchen on Old Park Lane, shares this sentiment. He said: “There’s no chains in Churchtown, it’s all independents and the area has that old-fashioned feel.
“There’s a good working relationship between the businesses in the area. We need to support local businesses, because then the money stays in the area.”
A quaint local bakery, Farmhouse Kitchen, is taking the pie world by storm, securing a spot in the prestigious British Pie Awards for its irresistible savoury treats that have customers flocking from miles around.
With a string of awards under their belt, including a bronze for their ‘best steak and ale’ pie amidst fierce competition of over 900 contestants in 2023, they’ve become a pie sensation.
In an impressive show the previous year, owner Rob clinched three bronze awards for uniquely named pies such as ‘The mother clucker,’ ‘the Southport athletic JFC pie,’ and ‘the queenie’ – a tribute to Nan’s Scouse pie.
Churchtown in Southport (Image: Andrew Teebay)
Looking to continue their winning streak, this year they’ve resubmitted crowd favourites ‘Big Bert’ and ‘Beef and Potato’ and are optimistic about new flavours.
Rob’s mother Terri, who has been helped in the creation of Farmhouse Kitchen ever since its doors opened 12 years ago, expressed her excitement about the awards: “It’s taken us three years to develop the pies into the judges’ favourites.”
Rob added: “We’re over the moon. Never in my dreams did I think we’d be chosen to join the others at the winners’ table for the prestigious lunch held in Melton Mowbray.”
In a food landscape once full of pie artisans, Farmhouse Kitchen stands proudly as the only traditional pie shop continuing the legacy in Southport.
Churchtown boasts two 18th century listed pubs, the Hesketh Arms and the Bold Arms, with the former recently experiencing a £600,000 renovation, a testament to the thriving community.
The area’s charm is not just a point of pride for residents but also fiercely safeguarded.
The Bold Arm Hotel, one of two pubs in the village (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The picturesque Botanic Gardens serve as a jewel in the crown of Churchtown.
This sprawling green haven has been a tranquil retreat since the 1870s, with its Victorian layout showcasing dazzling floral arrangements.
Circled by paths which go around a serene lake, it’s a local favourite for those from Southport and further afield.
Visitors on their way to the idyllic gardens are treated to an array of unique and occasionally quirky shops along Botanic Road. Among them stands Penny’s House, a quaint dog cafe run by devoted dog lover Ceri Burns.
Visitors are greeted by a menu thoughtfully crafted for our four-legged friends, alongside offerings suitable for their human counterparts.
The cafe might be a recent arrival as Penny’s House since April, but it’s maintained its identity as a dog cafe for seven years.
Named in honour of Ceri’s own pooch Penny, this pet paradise isn’t just about catering; it provides a space upstairs for dog parties while offering ample room downstairs for pups to kick back and indulge in tasty treats.
Ceri said: “It’s a normal cafe, but we serve dogs just like humans.”
Botanic Road in Churchtown (Image: Dub Hundley)
Another business that’s doing well is The Vintage Tearoom, which owner Charlotte says is the ‘best place for homemade cakes’.
She’s owned the cafe since July, she said: “I always used to drive past and think, ‘I’d love to have a little tea room like that one day’. I’ve been in hospitality for around 18 years, so it was always a passion of mine to have something one day.
“I’m a firm believer in simple food but done well. If you’re going to go out and have a cheese sandwich, you’ve got to make sure it’s the best cheese ever – and bloody good bread.
“I’d just had my daughter and was on maternity leave, and I think I must have just gone absolutely mad. I thought, ‘how can I make my life even harder? Let’s buy the tea room!’
“I altered a few things, but we want to keep it as it is for now and just learn – and learn about the village.
“I worked in a really well-known tea room in Birkdale before I went on maternity leave, so I was used to Birkdale Village, which is totally different to Churchtown, so it’s just getting used to another type of village.”
Charlotte added: “There aren’t as many hospitality businesses in Churchtown as there are in Birkdale – everyone thinks there’s maybe a few too many in Birkdale.
“I’d say Churchtown is more slow-paced and laid-back. It is more quaint; you’ve got your gorgeous cottages, your listed buildings, the park and botanic gardens – which is gorgeous all year round.
“It’s a gorgeous village to have a business and I do feel really, really lucky. It’s nice because you get all types of people there. I can’t believe how many tourists come to Churchtown Village – even from America.
“They must’ve gone on Google and searched for ‘typical English villages’. We get loads of people literally from all over the world, which is really cool.”