A trip to the beach is the perfect summer day out - from building sandcastles to taking a dip in the sea, there's no better way to enjoy the sunshine.
With temperatures expected to reach as high as 35 degrees towards the end of the week, it's an ideal time to plan a day at the beach. Luckily there's no shortage of great beaches to visit in Merseyside, so you don't have to travel too far to experience a fun family day out. From Crosby beach to Thurstaston, we've compiled a round-up of the best beaches in Merseyside to visit this summer.
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Crosby
Boasting views across the sea to Wirral and the North Wales hills, Crosby Beach is the ideal place to go to enjoy stunning scenery. The beach is located at the start of the 22 mile Sefton Coastal Path, and thanks to its close proximity to the Port of Liverpool, it is an ideal place to look out for container and cruise ships.
The Burbo Bank offshore wind farm can also be viewed from the beachfront. Crosby Beach is also the permanent home to 100 cast-iron figures that stretch the coastline and almost a mile out to sea, including the 'Another Place' sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Gormley.
The beach has been awarded the Quality Coast Award by Keep Britain Tidy, an accolade which recognises its high standards of beach management. For those looking to enjoy a stunning sunset, Crosby Beach is the ideal place to visit.
The sun can be seen to almost melt into the ocean at the opening to the Irish Sea. Dogs are welcome.
Address: Cambridge Road, Mariners Road or Hall Road West, Crosby, Merseyside.
Parking: Free car parks are available on Crosby Marine Lake, Mariners Road and Hall Road.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilets are available.
Public transport: The beach is easily reached from Waterloo, Blundellsands and Crosby and Hall Road stations.
Accessibility: Access for wheelchairs and pushchairs is limited.
Food and drink: There are restaurants and cafes nearby.
Formby
Formby Beach is an ideal choice for families thanks to its large car park, picnic areas and marked walking paths. The beach is home to sand dunes which act as an ideal spot to enjoy views across the Irish Sea.
On a clear day, you may even be able to see as far as the mountains of Cumbria. A good place to start exploring Sefton's Natural Coast is Lifeboat, where you can find a wide sandy beach, high dunes, furrowed grassland and a belt of pinewoods.
Those looking to go off the beaten track can take a walk through Ravenmeols Sandhills, where you will be able to marvel at sand dunes, beaches and woodlands. Dogs are welcome.
Address: Lifeboat Road, Formby, Merseyside, L37 1LJ.
Parking: Parking is available at the beach and costs between £4.50 and £6.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilets are available.
Public transport: Formby Station is one mile away from the beach.
Accessibility: Accessible paths are available and a sand wheelchair can be loaned for the day.
Food and drink: A selection of restaurants can be reached easily from the beach.
Hightown
Hightown is located on the Formby coastline between Liverpool and Southport. There is an undeveloped area of sand backed by a system of sand dunes that is a popular choice with ramblers and dog walkers.
The Sefton Coastal Path also passes through the beach. There's plenty to see at Hightown Beach, with the Burbo Bank offshore wind farm visible in the distance.
The beach is a great spot for wildlife too, so be sure to look out for wading and shore birds, as well as many species of butterfly and some rare flora. The dunes are home to toads, sand lizards and a variety of birds.
The area of shoreline between Seaforth and Hightown includes dangerous areas of quicksands and rapid tides with strong currents, so visitors must take note of the signs and danger warnings in place. The beach is dog friendly.
Address: L38 0BU
Parking: There are no designated parking spaces near this beach, but it may be possible to find a parking spot on the roads close to the beach.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Not available.
Food and drink: Shops and pubs can be found in Hightown.
Ainsdale
Ainsdale Beach is a great choice for those looking to enjoy an active day out, with the beach recognised as one of the best spots to enjoy kitesurfing. The Ainsdale Discovery Centre is situated adjacent to the beach and the Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve is a great source of local information, as well as offering free cycle hire facilities.
The centre is open during the summer, with the option to view the collection of shells, learn more about wildlife and have a go at some fun family activities.
Address: Shore Road, Ainsdale, Merseyside, PR8 2QB.
Parking: Parking is available ON SITE.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilets are located at the beach entrance at the end of Shore Road.
Accessibility: The beach has wheelchair access.
Food and drink: Nearby Ainsdale Village offers good shops and restaurants.
Southport
Home to the country's second longest pier, Southport beach is an ideal place to enjoy impressive views of the long sandy beaches and coastline stretching 22 miles across Sefton. The beach has a large area of undeveloped dunes, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
Those who enjoy walking can make the most of the many paths and trails through the dunes, whilst wildlife lovers can sit back and enjoy a spot of birdwatching. Southport offers all the traditional fun of the seaside, making it perfect for families.
Take a trip on the Pier Tram to the Pavillion, where you will find antique penny slot machines, traditional seaside amusements and rides. What's more, Southport beach is only a short walk away from the town centre, so it's easy to get to local restaurants, shops and attractions.
Address: Promenade, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1QX.
Parking: Parking is available, with parking areas for disabled visitors. You can park on the beach most days.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilets are available at Ocean Plaza.
Public transport: Southport train station is only a 10 minute walk away.
Food and drink: Fish and chips are available and there's plenty of local restaurants nearby.
New Brighton
New Brighton beach is one of the seaside town's main attractions, offering an attractive stretch of golden sand to explore. The beach boasts impressive views of the Liverpool city skyline and is an ideal spot to watch ships sailing out from the mouth of the Mersey estuary into the Irish Sea.
Children can enjoy playing around the Black Pearl, a community-built driftwood boat. For those looking to make a day of it, New Brighton is also home to Marine Point, a leisure development offering shops, restaurants, theatre and cinema.
Address: CH45 3PZ.
Parking: Parking is available at Bay View Drive by the Derby Pool public house (approximately 200 spaces), or along King's Drive.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilets are available.
Public transport: The nearest train station is New Brighton.
Accessibility: The beach is wheelchair accessible.
Food and drink: A selection of restaurants can be reached easily from the beach.
Hoylake
Hoylake is home to a spacious beach which is a haven for families and dog walkers. The promenade is the location for one of the town's most popular events, the Hoylake RNLI Open Day, which takes place every August.
For those looking to make a day of their visit, Hoylake has plenty of restaurants, bars and coffee shops to suit all tastes, from pub grub to something fancier. Take in the stunning scenery by walking or cycling along the coastline.
Parking: Parking is available on Charles Road.
Public transport: The nearest train station is Hoylake station.
Food and drink: There's a range of local restaurants and cafes locally.
West Kirby
This beach may be small at only 300 metres long, but it is certainly not short on things to do. The more adventurous visitors can enjoy watersports such as windsurfing, whilst those looking to relax can unwind with an ice cream. West Kirby beach lies between a kilometre of sand dunes, two kilometres of vast sand flats and a popular marine lake.
Address: South Parade, West Kirby, Merseyside, CH48 0QG.
Parking: The car park on Dee Lane, West Kirby will be fully closed to all motorists until November 2022 due to works on West Kirby Flood alleviation scheme. If you are visiting the beach, West Kirby Concourse car park is the nearest place to park.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilet facilities are only a few metres away from the main entrance at the end of Dee Lane.
Public transport: The beach is a five minute walk from West Kirby train station.
Accessibility: The beach is wheelchair accessible, with flat access from the pavement onto the beach.
Food and drink: Ice cream and coffee shops are nearby.
Thurstaston
Thurstaston beach is a popular destination during the summer months and is an ideal choice for dog walkers.
The beach is overlooked by Wirral Country Park, which has large green areas to explore as well as being home to a vast array of wildlife. It is also a great place to enjoy views over the Dee Estuary towards the Welsh Hills.
Parking: Car parking is available.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: There are no toilets at the beach itself but toilets are available at the visitor centre.
Accessibility: The beach has a path which provides wheelchair access.
Food and drink: Benty Farm Tea Rooms is located on Thurstaston Common.
Meols
Meols beach is situated on the Wirral Peninsula between Hoylake and Wallasey. The beach offers scenic views out into Liverpool Bay and is a great place to enjoy a picture-perfect sunset.
The sandy beach is also popular with horse riders and birdwatchers.
The four mile long North Wirral Coastal Park runs from Meols Dove Point to the King's Parade at New Brighton, with open space and areas of dunes to explore.
Address: CH47 6AW.
Parking: Parking is available close to the beach.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilet facilities are available.
Public transport: The beach is a 10 minute walk from Meols train station.
Food and drink: The Maple Gardens Cafe is nearby, along with a range of local restaurants.
Moreton
Lying on the Wirral Peninsula, about 2.5 miles west of New Brighton, Moreton is popular with bathers during the summer. Behind the beach is a sea wall with a paved pathway that is often used by cyclists.
There is also sometimes the chance to enjoy a donkey ride along the beach.
The Leasowe Common is adjacent to the beach and is an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic.
Address: CH46 3SY.
Parking: Parking is available close to the beach.
Toilet facilities and baby changing: Toilet facilities are available.
Food and drink: There is a range of local cafes and restaurants nearby.
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