Get active at Formby

Formby is a great place to get outdoors and active. Whether you are looking for a bit of gentle activity or something more energetic there are plenty of opportunities available to exercise your body and mind.

WALKING

With miles of paths winding through woodland, grassland, heathland and dunes you can choose to do anything from a 5 minute stroll to a half day ramble. For the more adventurous, a section of the 21 mile long Sefton Coast path passes through the site. A map of the site is available on the noticeboard opposite the toilets and can also be found in the welcome leaflet, available from our entrance kiosk or information trailer during opening hours.

There are 4 self-guided walks available to download that include points of interest throughout the route, for more information on these walks please click here.

Our asparagus trail is a 1 1/2 mile walk following the history of asparagus cultivation in this landscape. There are panels and sculptures along the trail to bring this interesting part of Formby’s history to life. Paths throughout this trail are accessible for all. Asparagus trail maps are available from our entrance kiosk or information trailer during opening hours or to download.

CYCLING

Cycling is allowed on the beach and along both of the roads that go through the site. We have one cycle friendly path that can be accessed via our dune car park or from Blundell Avenue and passes behind the sand dunes to Sefton MBC’s car park at Lifeboat Road. This cycle path is part of the 5 mile circular Asparagus cycle route which takes in Formby village. Leaflets of this route are available at our entrance kiosk.

Due to the fragile nature of the landscape we ask that cyclists keep to the designated cycle path, tarmacked roads or beach only.

Cycle racks are available next to our entrance kiosk.

RUNNING

With 1 1/2 miles of sandy beach, 2 tarmacked roads and miles of paths, with a variety of surfaces, there are plenty of options for runners. So whether you are out for a day’s endurance training, working on your trail run technique or simply want a quiet jog through the woods, you’ll find space here at Formby.

ORIENTEERING

Our permanent orienteering course, funded by MEROC, is available all year round. You can make up your own course or pick from our suggested easy, medium or harder routes. Orienteering packs and compasses can be purchased from our entrance kiosk or information trailer during opening hours.

We offer orienteering as one of our activities and sessions for schools and groups, for more information click here.

GEOCACHING

Join this international treasure hunt. There are geocaches hidden within the woods and dunes just waiting for you to find them. All you will need to get started is a GPS unit or a geocaching app on your smartphone or tablet.

50 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 11 3/4 

Get involved in the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you are 11 ¾ and tick off some of the not-to-be-missed experiences on your visit to Formby. You can go hunting for bugs (No.31), fly a kite (No.7), jump over waves (No.20) and lots, lots more. 

Visit our information trailer to pick up your free 50 things scrapbook and for self-led activity ideas. Once you have completed a 50 things activity you can head back to our information trailer to get your book stamped.