Southport Weekender

St Helens is well served by public transport. St Helens Central station sits in the town centre on the Liverpool to Wigan line, with frequent Northern trains to Liverpool Lime Street and on to Wigan North Western. On the other side of town, Lea Green and St Helens Junction stations connect with Manchester and Warrington. Bus travelers will find a compact central bus station (near Bickerstaffe Street) offering regular services to Liverpool, Wigan, Warrington and beyond. Local Arriva buses run throughout the town and wider Merseyside, and there's a Merseytravel office at the station for tickets and route advice.

For visitors arriving by air, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is the closest, about 20 km southwest of St Helens. Direct buses (such as Stagecoach 89) link the town centre to the airport, or you can drive via the M62 in roughly 30-40 minutes. Manchester Airport is about 40 km to the southeast; it can be reached by motorway (via the M62) or by taking the direct train service from St Helens Junction station. St Helens is also easy to reach by car: it lies near the M6, M58 and M57 motorways. The town is well signposted, and several town-centre car parks are available, though these can fill up during busy weekends.

The St Helens area offers a range of accommodation options. In town you'll find budget hotels, cozy B&Bs and guesthouses, many within easy reach of the bus and train links. Just outside St Helens, especially around Haydock Racecourse (near Junction 23 of the M6), there are larger hotels popular with travelers. Many visitors also stay in nearby Liverpool or Manchester. Both cities offer extensive hotel choices and direct train connections to St Helens. Since weekends can be busy, it's wise to book your room in advance. Wherever you stay, look for lodging near main roads or transit stops to make getting around easy and ensure a comfortable visit.