While there’s no shortage of stunning places to grab a drink on Merseyside, there is one particular watering hole that stands apart from the rest.
And, with pubs and restaurants opening up their doors again next month, where better to start?
The Lakeside Inn, in Southport, was crowned Britain’s Smallest Pub in 1989, and remains one of the country’s tiniest pubs to date.
The pub, on Southport’s Marine Lake Promenade, is hugely popular - but customers might have to wait their turn to actually get inside.
What is The Lakeside Inn?
The Lakeside Inn is the sister pub to The Victoria Pub, which is just up the road on Southport Promenade.
The red-tiled, dollhouse-esque pub is decorated with nautical memorabilia, with pastel accents and an array of flowers hanging from the doorway.
Husband and wife Stephen and Sue Kirkbride took over The Lakeside Inn more than seven years ago, keeping the venue in its original state with its "old world" interior.
The tiny pub serves a range of cask ales, from local and national brewers and peckish customers can grab a pork pie.
Where is it?
Tucked away on the edge of Southport’s Marine Lake, The Lakeside Inn offers views out over the water.
And, while the inside may be small, the outdoor area is extensive, so summertime customers can make the most of the sun, and the views.
What is its history?
The pub has been around for more than 30 years, though Stephen and Sue became the landlords in 2013.
Stephen, the pub’s landlord, said: “The pub had already received its certificate from the Guinness Book of Records when we took over.
“We didn’t want to change it at all really, if it’s not broke don’t fix it, you know?
"So we’ve just updated it a little bit, just brought it into the 21st century.”
What is it like to be ‘the smallest pub in Britain’?
Stephen and Sue refer fondly to The Lakeside Inn as "the little pub", that Stephen calls "a pleasure to run".
He continued: “We’ve got stunning views out onto the lake and people come from all over to see the pub; in the summer it has got to be the most photographed place in Southport.
“We get mega busy with tourists - and don’t forget it's a tight fit when we’ve got even 20 people inside.
“It’s a lovely, quaint place that has loads of character; it is a pleasure to run.”
