7 BEST BEACHES NEAR LIVERPOOL
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This post is all about the best beaches near Liverpool in the north west of England.
When you think of Liverpool I bet you think of The Beatles or the great football teams of Liverpool and Everton or maybe even the amazing architecture. I’m sure beaches don’t enter your head!
It may come as a surprise to you that there are some great beaches near Liverpool and they are all found within a short car journey from the city centre.
The beaches in and around Liverpool are open to the Irish Sea which means there’s more than a little breeze on these beaches. This is great for kitesurfers and the area is one of the best in the country for the sport.
There are miles and miles of sandy coastline around Liverpool that offers something for everyone.
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This post is all about the best beaches near Liverpool.
CROSBY BEACH
Crosby Beach is a long, wide beach with beautiful soft sand. It’s the beginning of the picturesque 22 miles of Sefton coastline and from the shore you can enjoy wonderful views across the sea to Wirral and North Wales.
As you walk along the beach you will probably catch a huge container ship or cruise ship passing by on their way to the Port of Liverpool. You will also be able to see Burbo Bank offshore wind farm which adds to the coastal/ industrial feel of Crosby.
The main attraction of Crosby are the strange but wonderful sight of 100 cast iron statues dotted around the beach. These sculptures were created by artist Anthony Gormley using a cast of this own body. The statues stand looking out to sea and visitors often dress them up with hats and scarves.
You can enjoy some of the best sunsets in the country here with uninterrupted views out to the Irish Sea.
You can reach Crosby Beach by train, taking the local line from Liverpool Central and getting off at Waterloo making this coastal spot really convenient if you are relying on public transport.
NEW BRIGHTON BEACH
New Brighton Beach, also known as Wallasey Beach is situated on the Wirral, a peninsula across the River Mersey from Liverpool.
From Liverpool central it’s only 7 miles to New Brighton Beach through the Mersey Tunnels. There’s plenty of free parking nearby. Once you’re there you can walk for miles along the beach. You can see Liverpool City Centre in the distance over the River Mersey and container ships or cruise ships occasionally pass by heading to Liverpool Docks.
If the tide times are on your side you can walk out to New Brighton Lighthouse that’s on the beach nearby Perch Rock Fort which was once a costal defense barrier for Liverpool between 1825 and 1829.
There is a multi purpose shopping centre here which houses cafes, shops and colourful street art. There’s an amusement park for little kids to enjoy with a swinging ship and dodgems.
There are several golf courses in the area that you can enjoy. Warren Gold Club is a public golf course that you can have a go at and attempt the challenging coastal holes.
WEST KIRBY BEACH
West Kirby Beach is a small in terms of length but the sand seems to go on for miles before any sea. It’s a pretty busy beach on most weekends throughout the summer with locals and people from further afield coming for a visit.
It’s situated on the west coast of the Wirral peninsula and on clear days you’ll be able to catch a glimpse across the Dee Estuary and see the hills of North Wales.
From the beach you will be able to just able see the red rocks of the Hilbre island archipelago. There are 3 islands called Hilbre Island, Middle Eye and Little Eye and if you arrive at low tide you can walk out to these islands. Be careful though and make sure you check the tide times as when the tide comes in it comes in from both sides and people have got stranded out on the islands.
There is Marine Lake right on the sea front that is an enjoyable walk and there is often sailing and other water sports on the lake.
FORMBY BEACH
Formby Beach is my local beach! I have spent many a sunny (as as it’s England, not so sunny!) days here enjoying everything Formby has to offer. It’s a fascinating place that is so much more than just its beautiful beach. The views out to the Irish Sea are worth a visit in themselves and you can spot Blackpool Tower in the distance.
It’s home to some of the only red squirrels in England in the Red Squirrel Reserve although you’d be very lucky to spot one as they’re very rare. I’ve only seen one in all my visits to Formby over the years.
There is miles of woodland to enjoy hiking or playing in with the kids. Several picnic areas can be found along the beach as well as along the walking paths in the surrounding woods. Before you get to the beach there is a row of sand dunes with soft, white sand.
There is alot of erosion happening at the moment along the coastline and to the dunes so prehistoric remains are being uncovered.
SOUTHPORT BEACH
Southport Beach is another one of my local beaches that I spent alot of time on both as a child and an adult. It is one part of 22 miles of the uninterrupted Sefton coastline.
The beach has one of Britain’s longest piers to walk or in high season (May - August) you can choose to take a tram along the pier to the end where there is a restaurant, an ice cream place and some games for the kids to enjoy. There’s also a few shops and stalls selling beach balls, bucket and spades and other beach essentials.
Make sure you head off the beach to the main shopping area of Southport to pick up some Southport Rock.
Just off the beach is a beautiful park area, Princes Park featuring Marine Lake that has lots of water activities like boating and paddleboarding. There is a Model Village Railway for you to enjoy in the park as well as a great wooden playground for kids.
Right next to the beach and park area is Southport Pleasureland where you can enjoy all the thrills of a seaside amusement park as well as SplashWorld if you fancy some fun on the waterslides.
Southport has it all and is a great place to spend a whole day enjoying all the different activities it has to offer.
AINSDALE BEACH
Ainsdale Beach is located between Southport and Formby and is one of the finest stretches of sand near Liverpool and is the only beach in the North West of England to be awarded a Blue Flag. It 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.
There are plenty of educational pursuits thanks to the Ainsdale Discovery Centre and the Sandhills Local Nature Reserve. You can sign up for free bicycle rides to discover the surrounding area and see the local wildlife.
Ainsdale is a wide beach with sand dunes behind giving the area a wild, rugged charm. Ainsdale Village is nearby and offers plenty of cafes, bars and a few local shops that are worth a look.
MORETON BEACH
Moreton is another beach on the Wirral peninsula near New Brighton. At high tide the beach, which has some interesting, concrete sea defences, is mainly shingle, but when the tide is out, a vast area of wet sand becomes exposed. If you decide to venture far out onto the sandbanks you need to keep an eye on the tides as they come in very quickly here.
It’s quite a quiet stretch of beach so you can enjoy some peace and quiet so you walk along the beach enjoying the crisp ocean air. Dogs are allowed off the lead in most parts of the beach so if you’re a dog owner this is a good place to come but if you’re not a dog lover it may be one to give a miss.
This beach stretches between Hoylake and Meols beaches in the Wirral, south of the River Mersey and you'll find a few simple shops around the promenade area selling food and drinks but the nearest main facilities are at New Brighton.
ADVICE FOR YOUR FIRST TIME IN LIVERPOOL
ARRIVING IN LIVERPOOL
Liverpool has excellent transport links and you may arrive into Liverpool by plane, boat or car.
If you arrive by plane you will arrive at Speke Airport, known as John Lennon Airport. It is an international airport 9 miles to the south of the city of Liverpool. It takes around 30 minutes to drive to the centre. There are public buses that take you to Liverpool One Bus Station which is the shopping centre in the centre of Liverpool. Take numbers 86A or 500.
If you are arriving from Dublin or Belfast in Ireland and Northern Ireland you may arrive in Liverpool via a ferry to Liverpool Docks.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED IN LIVERPOOL?
Liverpool City Centre is pretty compact with all the top tourist sites located quite close to each other and easily walkable to. Because of this you only really need 2 days in Liverpool in order to get a good feel for the city. During this time, you will be able to take in the top tourist attractions and even have time to enjoy some live music or indulge in the city’s food scene.
If you have more time and want to enjoy more of wahat Liverpool has to offer, such as boat trips along the River Mersey or venturing out to some of the beaches recommended in this article I’d recommend 5 days in Liverpool.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT LIVERPOOL?
With being in England you’re never really guaranteed any kind of weather in Liverpool. The Engish weather is famously unpredictable.
That being said I’d recommend the best time to visit Liverpool is during late spring and summer season, while early autumn is less crowded and relatively pleasant weather. Winters are not the most ideal time for warm weather enthusiasts, given the long and cold nights Liverpool experiences.
DO YOU NEED A VISA TO VISIT LIVERPOOL?
For citizens of many countries (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,EU countries, Japan) you can stay in England without a visa. England and the United Kingdom are not part of the Schengen area.
You should always check whether you need a visa or not before you travel.
More Information for your Trip to the UK
If you’re struggling to decide other places to visit in the UK read Best Cities to Visit in the UK
I also have many other UK city guides and which you can read by clicking on the links.
ENGLAND: How to visit Liverpool from London, visit best beaches near Liverpool and find out the best things to do in Liverpool, must sees in Manchester, make the most of your time in Brighton. Visit the Roman city of Chester or head to the stunning Lake District.
SCOTLAND: Discover the best things to do in Edinburgh
WALES: Llangollen
Information About London
LONDON ITINERARY: In our article The Perfect 2 Days in London you’ll find a detailed itinerary for exploring London. If you only have one day in London you can find out the most important things to fit into your day in this 1 Day London Itinerary.
LONDON TRAVEL ADVICE: Here are the important things to know if it will be your first time in London. Included in this article are all my best hints and tips for visiting London for the first time. The Best 49 Things to do in London article will help you plan your London itinerary. If you’re wondering what foods you should try when in London read this Best British Foods You Have to Try.
WHERE TO STAY: If you’re unsure on the different areas in London and where would be best to stay make sure you read this Best Places to Stay in London article.
PACKING FOR LONDON: If you’re wondering what you should pack when visiting London read this Packing for London and the Rest of the UK Guide.
LONDON AT CHRISTMAS: For an overview of the best things to do in London at Christmas here are 15 things to do in London at Christmas. I also have guides to the best Christmas lights, best London Christmas window displays and best Christmas markets in London. Learn how to put it all together in this great London Christmas Itinerary.
Read all of my articles about England in the United Kingdom Travel Guide.
LIVERPOOL ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to Liverpool? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans in the Kingdom.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to Liverpool using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for the United Kingdom and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Liverpool Speke Airport.
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in Liverpool on Booking.com
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in Liverpool on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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