SOUTHPORT Heritage Running Day is back in Southport for a 2nd superb event this Sunday, 29 March 2026. 

This special day is organised by the North West Vehicle Restoration Trust and will be raising funds for Elsie’s Story as the perfect way to start the school Easter holidays in Southport.

The event runs between 10am and 5pm with people able to ride around Southport on some stunning, beautifully-restored vintage buses.

A 24-page, full colour programme and guide will be available on the day for £5.

It’s the only place to find details of what will be running on the day. 

The programmes are paid for through NWVRT donations and membership. As a trust they don’t make a penny from this event. 

Fuel and vehicles are being generously provided by bus owners. 

Donations to Elsie’s Story are welcome.

You’ll find the buses running from the Promenade near Silcock’s Funland on different routes around Southport with destinations including Ainsdale; Crossens; and the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown.

The routes include Route 30 which will be serving Southport Model Engineering Club at Victoria Park on Rotten Row. Passengers will be able to enjoy a vintage bus ride and then a ride on a miniature steam train too! 

Route 27 will operate from Southport Train Station, working in collaboration with trains from Liverpool to Southport on the Merseyrail network. 

Bring the family, enjoy the nostalgia, and experience local transport history in motion!

North West Vehicle Restoration Trust Secretary James Rowlands said:- “This year we are looking forward to coming back to Southport with our glorious buses. Sunday, 29 March 2026 is going to be the day. You can come and ride on all our buses all day long. It is going to be a fabulous free day, hopefully putting some enjoyment back into Southport. We are taking donations, and every donation we take will go to Elsie’s Story. It’s a charity which is based in Southport which is close to all our hearts. We worked with them last year and they are just absolutely amazing people. So we are really, really looking forward to being in Southport this year. Please come along and support us!” 

James added:- “I’d also like to say big thanks to our team who have turned up at Kirkby and worked hard preparing buses for our Southport event. We have loads of really fantastic buses booked in to join us on 29th March, and we really appreciate the support from their owners. We hope you can join us and support the excellent work of the Elsie's Story charity as we fill Southport with classic buses of all types!”

People of all ages will be invited to enjoy free bus rides from the Promenade to either Ainsdale or Crossens and back. 

Last year the Trust raised over £3,000 for Elsie’s Story through this event. 

It’s a unique opportunity to relive the good olds days and reminisce while bringing back memories - or for children to be able to travel on these historic buses for the 1st time! 

Volunteers from the North West Vehicle Restoration Trust have enjoyed calling into Southport on a couple of occasions already this year, giving some of their vintage buses a run-out and spreading the word about their big day. 

While parking up on the Promenade, they’ve also enjoyed calling into the adjacent Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant to enjoy fish and chips and ice cream while overlooking King’s Gardens and the Marine Lake. 

They have also chatted to visitors about their buses and have welcomed them on board to take a look around these historic double deckers.

The buses are adorned with some classic advertising posters, for the likes of BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8fm, Binn’s, Andrew’s & Sons and more.

On 29 March 2026 the volunteers will be bringing along several buses from the 1950s to the present day.

They will be joined by other vehicle restoration trusts from elsewhere in the country.

Buses will be running from the Promenade throughout the day between 10am and 5pm with a static bus display on the coach park at the Esplanade park and ride site next to Victoria Park in Southport.

The North West Air Ambulance team will be at Southport Running Day with a stand near the Marine Lake Events Centre site along with the Merseyside Police Travelsafe team.

The North West Vehicle Restoration Trust (NWVRT) was officially set up in 2011 to bring together people with a common interest in the saving and restoration of historic vehicles, and associated items along with keeping restoration skills alive for future generations.

The Trust is based in Kirkby. Their aim is to actively engage local people into the insight of the historic development of vehicles through the eras.

For more details about the North West Vehicle Restoration Trust click here. 

For more details about Elsie’s Story visit this link.