Beaches
The Sefton Coast has over 22 miles of coast which includes some wonderful beaches. From the stretches of golden sands to the undulating dunes, each beach offers something unique.
Ainsdale Beach is now recognised as one of the premier beaches in the UK for extreme kite activities, with zones set aside for kite buggy and landboard use and kitesurfing taking place on the sea (permit required).
It has been awarded International Blue Flag on a number of occassions. The QCA award tells visitors that the standards of beach management are of the highest quality in the UK. So why not watch the waves roll and when you are ready to leave, Ainsdale Village offers a great range of shopping and restaurants.
Southport Beach is perfect if you fancy a spot of traditional seaside fun or a trip down memory lane where nostalgic feelings come flooding back.
If you are looking for places to take the family without breaking the bank, Southport beach has all you need for an amazing day out. So whether you want to build sandcastles, fly a kite, play with a beach ball or paddle in the safe bathing water, you won’t be disappointed.
Southport beach is also only a short walk from the town centre so you are never too far away from restaurants, shops and other attractions within the town.
Formby Beach is ideal for families, with a large car park, picnic areas and waymarked paths to the beach, dunes and woods.
The high dunes afford excellent views across the Irish Sea and on clear days after rain, even the mountains of Cumbria can be seen. The coast here is undergoing erosion and the tides often reveal prehistoric mud layers, some of which contain human and animal footprints. Look out for these the length of Formby Beach from Lifeboat Road northwards of the National Trust property. Lifeboat Road is an excellent place to start your exploration of Sefton’s Natural Coast. The 150 acre (60ha) site has a wide sandy beach, high dunes, furrowed grassland (former asparagus fields) and a belt of pinewoods.
If you fancy exploring more off the beaten track, a walk to the south through Ravenmeols Sandhills will reward you with wide expanses of dunes, even more beach, pleasant woodlands and relics of past developments. For further information about Formby, see the National Trust website or the Formby National Trust Guide.
Crosby Beach is now the permanent home to ‘Another Place’, the sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Gormley. Stand in awe alongside these 100 cast iron life size figures spread out along 3 km of beach. The beach has been awarded the Quality Coast Award by Keep Britain Tidy.
Whilst walking along Crosby Beach and the Coastal Path, you can take in views of the sea, the Wirral and North Wales.
All our beaches are well connected by public transport and within walking distance of railway stations so why not leave the car at home and travel sustainably.
