The Willow Grove

The site of this Wetherspoon pub was originally occupied by a Victorian villa called Grove House. Upper Willow Cottage stood next door and Willow Grove, another substantial residence, stood nearby.

Originally called Lords Street, this mile-long, tree-lined thoroughfare was laid out in the 1820s by the two lords of the manor, who granted leases for its development. Willow Grove - along with Nile Bank, Beach Priory and Belle Vue - were among Southport's substantial early residences, built just to the west of what became Lord Street.