Sefton's beaches are popular destinations, suiting everything from a walk among nature to a relaxing day on the sand. They're also part of an ever-changing coastal habitat that's home to much more than just us, so there are some important things to consider when visiting.
Before you visit
Parking is available at coastal locations, but it is limited – especially on busy days.
There are several car parks are in operation near the coast, with in-land options often having plenty of available space. Visit www.sefton.gov.uk/find-parking to find places to park, along with opening times and prices.
The National Trust advises that parking spaces at its Formby site fill up extremely quickly on busy days and to plan accordingly. More information is available on the National Trust website.
Only park in car parks or legal parking spots. Illegal parking will not be tolerated and can pose access issues for people, staff or emergency services attempting to get to the beach. Please respect local residents by not taking up their on-street parking places.
You can also reach Sefton's beaches using Merseyrail trains, buses, cycling or walking.
Beaches do not offer much shelter, so if you're visiting on a hot day, consider bringing suitable coverings, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
You can find tide forecasts online to get an idea of when the tide will be high. This is important for considering your safety on the beach or in water.
On the beach
While beaches are largely clear, it is advised to keep on footwear such as water shoes or flip flops.
The tide can bring in sharp debris, while jellyfish and weever fish can cause serious pain if you stand on one.
It is very important to always be mindful of the tide line. While the sea may appear far out at one point in the day, it can come in quickly.
Lifeguards are in place on all beaches through the summer season in coastal locations, and year-round in Crosby. You are advised to stay within sight of the lifeguard station and not to stray too far out to sea. Don’t stray too far from where others are, so that support is available more quickly if it’s needed.
In the water
Always know the risks when swimming in open water.
Enter the water slowly and carefully to avoid cold water shock and ensure that the level of water you are in matches your swimming ability. The sea has strong currents, and the safest option generally is to stay at a wading depth.
If you get into trouble, use the RNLI’s ‘Float To Live’ guidance. You can find that, plus further information on water safety, at www.sefton.gov.uk/water-safety.
- In the event of an emergency, call 999.
- If it’s in the water, ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water to try and rescue the person in trouble and instead encourage them to float and wait for help.
- If there is a fire, ask for Merseyside Fire and Rescue.
- If there is another serious incident, ask for the police.
- You can call Merseyside Police on 101 if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour.
Crosby is not a bathing beach and is not safe for swimming, so please do not enter the water under any circumstances.
Respecting the coast
The Sefton Coast is a dynamic, wild and completely natural habitat, which means that its beaches are often different to typical golden sands.
There are very few things we ask people not to do, but when we do ask, it is to protect the coast and the many plants and animals that make their home here.
We ask that no barbecues or fires are set on any beach. Fires spread fast, and there have been numerous fires started by something as simple as a glass bottle or cigarette that have grown out of control. This causes significant damage to Sefton’s protected dune system, including the rare plants and animals that live there.
A fire can superheat sand, making it dangerous for people walking around after you've packed up and gone, so please don't set any fire at all.
If you're exploring the dunes, we recommend sticking to well-worn paths, watching your step and keeping dogs on leads, picking up after them as you go. Please keep dogs out of pools and other bodies of water, which coastal wildlife relies on.
It is vital not to disrupt feeding and resting birds while you're on the coast. If you're walking along the water's edge, be prepared to detour around feeding or resting birds – some of which are part of the way through epic migratory journeys.
Please do not litter and use one of the bins that can be found on or near beaches. Sefton Council staff work hard to empty the bins multiple times in a day, but they may be full at times if it’s busy.
If there isn’t available space in the bin, take the rubbish with you.
Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated and can be reported via www.sefton.gov.uk/asb.
Visit each beach's pages to learn more about each location:
Picnics are allowed along Sefton's beaches, provided visitors make sure they take away all their rubbish when they leave the beach.
We frequently empty our coastal bins. Green Sefton Rangers can empty them up to 10 times a day when it’s busy and it can take around four days to fully clean up after a busy weekend at the Sefton coast. Help us out and take your litter home with you and recycle where possible.
During the busy spring and summer months, more bins and skips are made available at the coast to help keep our beaches clean. Please use them or, better still, bin your rubbish at home.
We actively encourage visitors to our beautiful coastline to enjoy it safely and to treat the surrounding natural habitats and fellow visitors with respect.
Barbecues are strictly not allowed anywhere at the coast. This is due to the potential fire risk, injuries caused by discarded barbecuing kits and potential damage to habitats.
Aside from being dangerous, fires are difficult and costly to put out and pull emergency services away from other important areas of their work.
We actively encourage visitors to our beautiful coastline to enjoy it safely and to treat the surrounding natural habitats and fellow visitors with respect.
Yes, you can. Along the entire Sefton Coast, there are only two areas that are off-limits.
The two 'dog exclusion zones' are in place from 1st May to 30th September:
- Southport beach is free of dogs starting from the Pier south towards Pleasureland (for 555m) and to the tide line.
- Ainsdale Beach is free of dogs 200m either side of the main beach entrance and to the tide line.
Both the dog exclusion zones are well signed during the summer season. Dogs are more than welcome elsewhere, but you must clean up any fouling. Do not leave dog poo bags in the landscape and ensure your dog is kept under control.
For full guidance for dog owners and walkers, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/take-the-lead.
We have an excellent rail service along the Sefton coast. The Merseyrail Northern line runs regularly in both directions between Liverpool and Southport, with most coastal locations only a short walk away. Plan your visit on the Merseyrail journey planner.
Sefton is also served by several bus service providers, from Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach, so why not give the bus a try?
There are plenty of different cycle routes and you can take your bike for free, without the need to pre-book, on the Merseyrail network.
Access to beaches varies by location and in some areas it may be difficult for pushchairs and wheelchairs to gain access.
Beach parking is available at Ainsdale between 1st April and 30th September.
Crosby and Formby have parking within walking distance of the beach, but spaces in Formby fill up fast. Follow National Trust Formby on social media for updates.
Southport on-beach car park is closed due to poor sand condition. However, there are many options near the beach.
There are public toilet facilities at all Sefton coastal sites, including accessible toilets in Crosby and Ainsdale.
Please use the facilities provided and do not use the beaches, dunes or the sea to go to the toilet.
Make sure you wash your hands after using public toilets or use the hand sanitiser provided at the portable loos when they are provided.
Horse riders must possess current and valid personal and third party liability insurance. Please observe these basic rules:
- All riders must wear suitable safety equipment (such as helmets) at all times.
- Keep younger and less experienced riders and horses under close supervision
- Never ride your horse at full gallop
- Horses are excluded from all bathing areas
- Do not allow your horse to go too far out into the sea
- Avoid riding on the beaches for 2 hours either side of high tide and never ride through flocks of wading birds
- Horses are not permitted in the dunes
- To avoid congestion, do not park your box or trailer at the main entrance to Ainsdale Beach
- Please clear up all your horse related debris and remove it from the beach, do not leave behind any dung or straw
- Be considerate to all other beach users
During the summer the RNLI Lifeguard service is in operation at Formby, Ainsdale and Southport and they promote a 'swim between the flags' service, which means they will patrol a designated area of the beach.
At Crosby, RNLI Lifeguards are present all year, but please note Crosby Beach is not a bathing beach and does not have a patrolled bathing area.
Recreational drone usage is unlikely to be approved as much of Sefton's coastline is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The flying of drones and/or quadcopters without prior consent or approval is strictly prohibited.
Professional filming outlets seeking permission to fly drones and quadcopters must obtain approval from both Sefton's Green Sefton team as well as Natural England.
Sefton Council's drone policy is available at www.sefton.gov.uk/drones.
You are allowed to metal detect on the beach in certain areas but NOT in the dune system.
For information about Formby Beaches, please contact the National Trust for information at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby.
Finds of interest must be reported to:
- Green Sefton on 0151 934 2961 and;
- Portable Antiquities Officer – Liverpool Museum on 0151 478 4259
Always be mindful of the risks if you want to swim.
Tide times vary everyday throughout the year. Please check online for tide information before you make your journey.
The key summer safety advice is:
- Visit a lifeguarded beach & swim between the red and yellow flags
- If you get into trouble Float to Live – lie on your back and relax, resisting the urge to thrash about
- Call 999 or 112 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard
Please remember that Crosby Beach is not a bathing beach.
If you want to book an event on the beach, you must get permission from the landowner first. This is the case whether it is for commercial, charity or community purposes.
If you do not get permission, then you will likely be asked to leave the beach.
Find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk/coast-events.