Meols (Southport) u3a

Local history

Status:Active, open to new members
Coordinator:
When: Fortnightly
As arranged

Visiting historic places of interest in our region

Our Local History’s aim is to offer our members a wide variety of interesting events and tours, hopefully two each month. Some of these will be local whilst others will be throughout our region but where they can easily be reached by public transport or car sharing.

All Local History events can be attended by any member of Meols u3a and are an excellent way to socialise and meet new people and make new friends.

To book any Local History event visit the Local History table at the monthly meetings or contact the group leader using the blue link above or book direct on Beacon.

Places we have recently visited

Recently Local History members have been on a wide variety of events such as:

  • Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
  • Walker Art Gallery
  • Western Approaches
  • Liverpool Town Hall
  • St George's Hall
  • Edge Hill University
  • St Elizabeth Church
  • Lancashire Conservation Unit
  • Liverpool Archives
  • Southport Mosque

You can read accounts of some of our outings by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

We already have a number of events booked for 2026 and this year should be interesting for our Local History group members. Full details of all future Local History events and tours will also be sent by email to all Local History members as well as being featured at Meols u3a monthly meetings.

Woman laughing dressed in guards outfit at Railway 200 Southport Station

Forthcoming events

9th July 2026
Guided tour
Local History: Port Sunlight Village & Lady Lever Art Gallery
We will have a 2 hour Blue Badge guided tour by Julie Kershaw, around Port Sunlight’s Victorian garden village, we will visit all the main buildings including public buildings, hospital, school and church and wide green spaces. And a self-guided visit around Lady Lever Art Gallery
Cost: £8
Booking Required
23rd July 2026
Guided tour
Local History: Heskin Hall & Bygone Times
At Heskin Hall we will have a 1 hour talk about the history of Heskin Hall, a two course meal, a self-guided tour of the Hall and browse 40 shops and market. Bygone Times is over 6 floors and has over 500 stalls
Cost: £15 Heskin Hall. Bygone Times £2.50
Booking Required
6th August 2026
Guided tour
Local History: Ormskirk Parish Church & Ormskirk Outdoor Market
Ormskirk Parish Church is a Grade 11 listed building with a history spanning over 1,000 years, The church was founded by a Viking named Orm (hence ‘Orm’s Kirk’. We will have a 1 hour guided tour with refreshments, afterwards a visit to the famous outdoor market
Cost: £5
Booking Required
27th August 2026
Outing
Local History Group: Botanic Gardens Fun Treasure Trail and Quiz
Now we will be in the full bloom of summer and we are experiencing some warmer weather, Local History will be holding a fun and socialising event. This will be a Botanic Gardens Treasure Trail and a quick and easy Local History Quiz
Cost: £3
Booking Required
3rd September 2026
Outing
Local History: The Man who shod War Horses
2 Course Meal at the Mount Pleasant followed by a talk and presentation on John Westhead who ‘Shod War Horses’ in France during World War 1, who died and is buried in France
Cost: £20
Booking Required
23rd September 2026
Outing
Local History: Speke Hall & Gardens
Our self-guided tour should normally take approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes but this depends on how long you spend in each room. After our tour, you can continue to wonder around Speke Hall and its grounds.
Cost: £19.80
Booking Required
5th October 2026
Outing
Local History: Nordic Seamen's Church, Liverpool
The Nordic Seamen’s Church will give us a wonderful opportunity of vising a truly unique building in Liverpool and the UK, with a full guided tour & lunch.
Cost: £12.50
Booking Required
20th October 2026
Guided tour
Local History: Little Theatre Visit
A behind-the-scenes tour of the Little Theatre will be run by the Southport Dramatic Club, offers a rare look at the purpose-built 1930’s theatre, including its historic auditorium, backstage, dressing rooms, wardrobe department and scenic workshop
Cost: £5
Booking Required

Latest News

Click on the title of an item to read in full

  • Visiting Dewlay Cheese
    25 Meols u3a members drove to Dewlay Cheese in Garstang to find out how they make their renowned cheeses
  • Liverpool Archives
    On 12 January 2026 a large group of Local History members visited the 'Liverpool Archive's' department which is located within the Liverpool Central Library complex
  • Royal Court Theatre
    Behind the scenes at this Grade II-listed theatre
  • Southport Mosque Visit
    Soyful Alam, Imam of Southport Mosque, welcomed a party from Meols u3a Local History Group in April. His hospitality was, to say the least, overwhelming
  • The Windrush Exhibition - our community, our story
    A warm thank you to Gemma and Jacky for hosting us at the Atkinson for a visit to the Windrush Exhibition: Our Story, Our Community