Groups & Tours

It is really important to us here at The Atkinson that we work closely with our visiting groups to make sure you have the best possible experience with us and that you get the most out of your visit.


Group event bookings

There are group discounts available for bookings of 10+, contact the Box Office to redeem these discounts and discuss your group’s requirements.

Tickets for large groups are not posted, but will be kept at box office until the day of your performance. You will be met on the day of your visit and taken to your seats.

For all your group booking inquiries please contact the Box Office and we will do our best to make your visit a memorable one!


Book a tour

Our tours are subject to availability.

Our fantastic volunteers have created a number of tours for our visitors to enjoy, so why not book one for your visit? These tours are free, but we do appreciate donations to The Atkinson Development Trust. Take a look at the tours we have on offer below. Please note all tours are subject to availability of a volunteer and we do request a minimum of three week’s notice. Minimum of 6 people required.

Interested? Please fill out a booking form and return it by email to Jemma.Tynan@sefton.gov.uk. Alternatively forms are available from the Box Office and Shop.

Clues in the Architecture
Tour length: approximately 1 hour
Take a tour of our building, both inside and out to see the architectural details of the three buildings that make up The Atkinson and reveal their previous purposes.

Between Land and Sea: First Museum Gallery
Tour length: up to 1 hour
Delve deeper into our display cases within our local history museum, looking at the development of Southport as a health and tourist resort. Please note, this tour can be combined with the Between Land and Sea: Second Museum Gallery tour.

Between Land and Sea: Second Museum Gallery
Tour length: up to 1 hour
Delve deeper into our display cases within our local history museum, relating to notable events, characters and the industry of Sefton. Please note, this tour can be combined with the Between Land and Sea: First Museum Gallery tour.

Mrs Goodison’s Collection: Egyptology Gallery
Tour length: up to 1 hour
Travel back in time at a tour of the display cases in our Egyptology Gallery, based on themes of beauty, communication, everyday life and ritual.

10 Objects Tour: The Atkinson in 10
Tour length: up to 1 hour
Take a look at ten objects which represent The Atkinson and the history of Southport.

10 Objects Tour: Treasures of The Atkinson
Tour length: up to 1 hour
Take a look at ten objects which represent the treasures held in our collections. You may be surprised by some of our choices…

10 Objects Tour: For Children
Tour length: up to 1 hour
Similar to our other 10 Objects Tour’s, in this tour we introduce 10 objects that will delight children. Please note, this activity is also offered as a self-led activity, just ask for more information.

Spotlight Tour: Frank Hampson
Tour length: approximately 15 minutes
A short talk focusing on the life and work of Frank Hampson as illustrated in the museum display cases.

Spotlight Tour: Fortunino Matania
Tour length: approximately 15 minutes
A short talk focusing on the life and work of Fortunino Matania as illustrated by the painting Southport for a Holiday in Wintertime and related museum display cases.

Connections Tour
Tour length: approximately 45 minutes
A review of the life and works of two artists, Matania and Hampson, revealing some surprising similarities and connections.

Lord Street Tour
Tour length: approximately 45 minutes
A heritage walk outside, looking at the history and architecture of Lord Street.