Formby

Liverpool & Lancashire

A coastal nature haven for wildlife and people

Lifeboat Road car park, Formby, Liverpool, L37 2EB

Opening times
Prices
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An adult raising her hands in the air, surrounded by three children exploring the sand dunes at Formby, Liverpool

M	T	W	T	F	S	S

Open

Closed

Opening times for 14 October 2026
Asset	Opening time
Beaches	Open all day
Lifeboat Road car park	Dawn - dusk - exit anytime
Victoria Road car park	Dawn - dusk - exit anytime
Countryside	Open all day
Lifeboat Road toilets	09:30 - 16:30
Victoria Road toilets	09:30 - 16:30

We have two small car parks that fill up very quickly on sunny days. On these busy days we recommend travelling to us by train if you can. For more useful information and top tips for visiting go to the "Planning your visit to Formby" page.

Both car parks are ticketless and for safety and security they are fitted with ANPR (automatic numberplate recognition). Payment is valid for parking at either Victoria Road or Lifeboat Road and not transferable between car parks

NT members and Blue Badge holders park for free. Please pay at the machines with coins or by card. For quick member check-in and non-member payments download the JustPark app and set up an account before you visit. You’ll be asked to add payment details in the app, but NT members will not be charged for parking. See on site signage for JustPark location codes.

For help with paying please pop and see the Welcome Team.

Every time you scan your membership card or pay to park you're supporting vital conservation work at Formby. Thank you for your support.

Head to Lifeboat Road car park for horse box, horse trailer, mini bus or coach parking. Please note we are unable to offer parking for coaches or mini buses at weekends, school holidays or bank holidays.

All group visits to Formby must be booked in advance, this includes schools, all groups that require minibus or coach bookings and groups that plan to walk on to the site. For more information visit the Group Bookings page and email your request to formby@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Lifeboat Road car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Car £9.00
Lifeboat Road coach parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Coach £80.00
Lifeboat Road horsebox parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Horsebox £21.50
Lifeboat Road mini bus parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Minibus £21.50
Victoria Road car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Car £9.00
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Adventure playground/play area
There are two natural play trails in the woodlands. One to the north of the site and the other to the south of the site.
Adventure playground/play area - more information
Car park
Both car parks are ticketless and use ANPR. Pay at the machines or download the JustPark app and set up an account before you visit for quick member check-in and non-member payments. You’ll be asked to add payment details in the app, but NT members will not be charged for parking. Please see on-site signage for JustPark location codes.
Car park - more information
Cycle parking
Secure bike racks available at both car parks near to the welcome team for extra piece of mind.
Dogs allowed
Well‑behaved dogs are welcome to explore the site with you. Please keep them under close control and be mindful of all the wonderful wildlife around you and other people enjoying their visit. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to keep your dog on a lead.
Dogs allowed - more information
Family friendly
Formby is a wild and natural space where families can connect with nature. Boardwalk access to the beach via a hard standing path at Lifeboat Road. Toilets with baby changing facilities available at both car parks. Ice cream, snacks and refreshments available from mobile concessions in the car parks during spring and summer.
Lifeguard
RNLI lifeguards on duty at Lifeboat Road 10am to 6pm in spring and summer during the school holidays.
Picnic area
There are a number of picnic tables in both car parks and dotted around the site.
Picnic area - more information
Toilet
Toilets are available at both car parks. Please check opening times as they are different in spring / summer and autumn / winter.
For more information please visit the AccessAble website or download the Formby access guide below. This guide aims to provide clear, useful information with pictures to help people know more about what to expect when travelling to and exploring NT Formby, particularly for those with additional needs.
Download the Formby access guide
Visit the AccessAble website
Accessible toilet
Toilets with accessible facilities available at both car parks during opening hours. At Victoria Road the toilet requires a RADAR key to access.
Designated parking
Free parking and designated spaces near popular paths for Blue Badge holders at both car parks. No option on the parking machines yet so on arrival please pop and see the Welcome Team so they can make a note of your number plate.
Level access to food outlet
Food and refreshments available from mobile concessions during the spring and summer months. Located in bay 3 of Lifeboat Road car park and just south of the Victoria Road car park via a hard stone path.
Seating available
There are a number of benches on popular paths throughout the site as well as picnic tables in both car parks and dotted around the site.
Seating available - more information
Steps/uneven terrain
Formby is a wild and natural space. There are some accessible paths in areas of the woodlands and throughout the Asparagus Trail. Beach access from Lifeboat Road car park via a hard standing path and boardwalk with benches en route. Beach access from Victoria Road car park is on uneven ground through the woodlands and over the dunes.
Wheelchairs available
We have five sand wheelchairs that you can borrow for free. The wheelchairs are designed to be pushed by someone and come with big, wide tyres, increasing the surface area and helping to prevent sinking on sand.
Wheelchairs available - more information
Lifeboat Road car park - what3words: ///deadline.chucked.puddings
Map
Directions via Google Maps
Car park addresses
Lifeboat Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 2EB (access to beach via boardwalk) Victoria Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ (access to beach via woodlands and sand dunes)
By train
With regular Merseyrail services every 15-minutes, travelling by train is the most convenient way to visit. Formby station for Lifeboat Road – short walk away, access to the beach via a boardwalk, RNLI Lifeguards on duty during peak times. Toilets, bins and refreshments are available in the car park. Freshfield station – short walk away. Access to the beach is on uneven ground through the woodlands and dunes. Toilets, bins and refreshments in the car park.
By train - more information
By road
Formby is a wild, natural and legally protected landscape. This means there are restrictions on the facilities and parking we can offer. We have two small car parks that fill up very quickly on sunny days. On these busy days we recommend travelling to us by train. Lifeboat Road car park directions – 2 miles off A565. Follow brown signs from roundabout at south end of Formby bypass. Restrictions: Maximum height 2.3m and width 3 metres. Victoria Road car park directions - 2.2 miles off A565. Leave the bypass at the roundabout with the BP petrol station. Follow brown signs to Formby point. Thank you for parking responsibly. Every time you pay to park or scan your membership card you’re helping to protect Formby’s precious wildlife.
Parking: Parking restrictions and fines in place by Sefton Council on residential roads.
Sat Nav: Lifeboat Road car park entrance at grid reference SD275065: use postcode L37 2EB. Victoria Road car park entrance at grid reference SD27943 08282: use postcode L37 1LJ.
By road - more information
On foot
Lifeboat Road - arrive by Merseyrail train and get off at Formby station. Go up the stairs and turn right out of the exit. Walk down the bridge pavement and along Kirklake Road. You will see an entrance to the site as the road bends with a large map sign. If you get to St Luke's church, you have gone too far. Access to the beach is on a hard standing path that leads to a boardwalk. Victoria Road - arrive by Merseyrail train and get off at Freshfield. Turn right out of the station and head west down Victoria Road until you reach our entrance. Access to the beach is on uneven ground through the woodlands and over the dunes.
On foot - more information
Cycling
National Cycle Network route 62, 3 miles. Thank you for helping to protect the precious landscape at Formby by keeping to designated cycle paths, tarmacked roads or the beach. Cycle racks are available in the car parks at Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road. There are plenty of cycle routes and paths in the local area. You can take your bike for free on the Merseyrail network, without pre-booking. Entry is free for visitors arriving on foot or by bike.
Cycling - more information
By bus
Stagecoach operates the X2 bus route to Formby from both Liverpool and Southport. The nearest bus stop to our Lifeboat Road entrance is a approximately a pleasant 40 minute walk away.
By bus - more information
Lifeboat Road car park, Formby, Liverpool, L37 2EB
01704878591
formby@nationaltrust.org.uk

Planning your visit

Planning your visit to Formby

Formby beach is a popular destination on sunny days. It's a wild, natural and legally protected conservation area, which means parking is very limited and facilities are basic. On this page you’ll find lots of useful tips and information to help you plan your visit.

A lady and three children enjoying a walk through the dunes at Formby

School and group visits to Formby

Pre-booking is essential when visiting Formby as a school or group; discover everything you need to know about how to book a group visit, where to park and about education group memberships.

Horse riding at Formby

Horses are welcome at Formby. Find out all your need to know about riding your horse on the beach or through the woodlands.

Two women riding their horses on the beach with sea and waves in the background

Outdoor activities at Formby

Get active, connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors at Formby including walking, cycling and orienteering. Find out more.

Visitors looking at a map whilst orienteering in the grounds of Castle Ward

Borrow a sand wheelchair at Formby

We have five sand wheelchairs available at Formby for you to book in advance and borrow for free.

Sand wheelchairs available to borrow at Formby

Formby visitor map 2026

Plans for the future

Find out more about our work to restore nature and create healthier habitats for wildlife at Formby.

Dune conservation work at Formby

Formby is one of the fastest changing stretches of coastline under the National Trust’s care. Discover how we're working with nature to restore protected sand dune habitats and create space for wildlife to thrive, including rare natterjack toads and sand lizards.

View of the Formby landscape from a drone showing the sea, beach and dunes

Woodland conservation work at Formby

The woodlands at Formby provide important habitats for a wide variety of wildlife, including rare red squirrels. Find out more about our conservation work happening in the woodlands this autumn and winter.

Sun light coming through thinned trees in the woodlands at Formby

Improving Wicks Lake at Formby

Discover how we’re working with fantastic volunteers to create healthier habitats for wildlife at Wicks Lake and improve this special spot for people to enjoy.

Two visitors walking through the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal with the abbey ruins in the background

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