We're sharing important information for people visiting our beaches.

Water Safety

RNLI Lifeguards have returned to Southport and Ainsdale beaches for the Easter Holidays (5 – 21 April) and will be present daily. Visitors should always read the signs and chat to the friendly lifeguards before entering the water.

Crosby is the only beach in the UK to have a 365-day RNLI lifeguard presence due to its status as a non-bathing beach. Visitors are urged not to enter the water at Crosby beach and to stay within 50m of the sea wall to avoid the sinking mud.

In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Never enter the water to try and help, the best thing to do is to stay on the phone to the Coastguard and wait for help to arrive.

Travel Smart

Those thinking about visiting one of Sefton’s beaches are encouraged to travel safely and plan their journeys in advance.

Southport, Ainsdale, and Crosby beaches are all within walking distance from Merseyrail stations such as Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale, Hall Road, Blundellsands & Crosby, and Waterloo.

You can plan your Merseyrail journeys and find timetables and service updates at: www.merseyrail.org 

Those who do drive should plan ahead to avoid traffic delays and are asked to park responsibly and considerately, away from residential areas.

Beach Car Parking and Facilities

On-beach car parking at Ainsdale beach is open for the summer, and we anticipate high numbers of visitors over the busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

The all-day charge for parking on Ainsdale beach is £10, and we operate a cashless payment system as a preference. 

The newly refurbished toilet block at Ainsdale is also available for visitors, and facilities include both men's and women's, and an accessible Changing Places toilet facility. Further information is available at https://www.changing-places.org/find

Baby changing facilities are also within the toilet block, and a drinking water station, funded by Sea-Changers, is available for visitors.

And with funding from the Ainsdale Civic Society, a defibrillator has been installed on the exterior of the building as well.

Southport beach car park will remain closed for the time being due to the unsuitable condition of the sand. Green Sefton staff conduct daily assessments so the beach parking in Southport can be opened as soon as conditions are safe.

There is a car park on Marine Drive, Southport, that is close to the seafront. On sunny days, this car park proves very popular, so visitors are advised to arrive early and have alternative parking options in mind.

Latest Info

Visitors can find the latest updates and more information about the Sefton Coast by heading to www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches