A trip to the beach is synonymous with summer; feeling the sand between your toes and having a paddle in the sea is an iconic experience of British summer time. Although we’re not right by the sea, we are lucky in Manchester that there are some amazing beaches just a short drive away.
For the traditional seaside experience you can head to Blackpool where you’ll find jaw dropping rides and old-fashioned arcades on the pier. Or if you want to make a weekend of it, travel down to one of the amazing beaches North Wales has to offer.
Yet there’s a different type of seaside experience just over an hour’s drive from Greater Manchester. At Formby Beach you won’t find fish and chip shops and donkey rides, but you will come across a wild and idyllic landscape which is a haven for wildlife.
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To get to the beach you walk through a magical woodland full of pine trees. This then gives way to grass-topped sand dunes, which overlook the stretch of golden sand. Once you arrive at the beach itself you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Irish Sea, and on a clear day you can even see the Cumbrian mountains.
Run by the National Trust, Formby Beach is full of different habitats. Red squirrels can be found in the woodland area, along with a range of insects and birds.
Meanwhile the sand dunes are home to the Natterjack toad, an endangered amphibian which can be heard croaking at dusk. It’s not just wildlife you’ll be able to spot - you may even see prehistoric footprints which are being revealed due to coastal erosion along the beach.
There are lots of interesting walks you can follow throughout the area, including trails through the woods where you can spot red squirrels, and a path through the grasslands which were once asparagus fields. You can also pick up parts of the Sefton Coastal Path here, which is 21 miles in total.
Parking, toilets and facilities at Formby Beach
In the summer months lifeguards are stationed at certain points on the beach so it's safe to swim too. You’re allowed to bring a picnic but barbecues are not allowed.
The beach and surrounding areas are free to visit and are open all day. Parking is available at Lifeboat Road car park (open 9am to 5pm, exit anytime), Victoria Road beach car park (open 9am to 5pm) and Victoria Road woodland car park (open all day). Formby train station is around a mile away from the beach.
Parking costs £7.50, National Trust members and blue badge holders can park for free. Tickets are not transferable between car parks. Payment is via pay and display machines using coins only, for contactless payment you need to download the ‘paybyphone’ app.
Portaloo style toilets are available at lifeboat road car park all year round from 10am to 4pm. Toilets are open at Victoria Road from 10am to 4pm.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at Formby, but they need to be kept on a lead during the Squirrel Walk. Make sure they’re under control in other parts of the site and all waste picked up.
Formby Beach can get busy on weekends, especially during the summer months. Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks as there are no cafe facilities or shops nearby.
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