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Formby
A coastal nature haven for wildlife and people
National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH
Important notice
Victoria Road car park closed until spring 2026 for conservation work – no pedestrian access through work site. Please don't travel to us by car on sunny days. Get the train or consider alternative beaches on the Sefton and Wirral Coast. Thank you.
Opening times for 1 July 2025
Asset Opening time Beaches Open all day Lifeboat Road car park 09:00 - 17:00 Victoria Road beach car park Closed Countryside Open all day Lifeboat Road toilets 10:00 - 16:00 Victoria Road toilets Closed Victoria Road woodland car park Closed MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosedLifeboat Road car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Car £8.50 Lifeboat Road coach parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Coach £75.00 Lifeboat Road horsebox parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Horse box £20.00 Lifeboat Road mini bus parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Mini bus £20.00 Victoria Road car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Car £8.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Car park
- Dogs allowed
- Family friendly
- Picnic area
- Toilet
Accessible toilet and mobility car park spaces, at Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road. Accessible paths in some woodlands and throughout the asparagus trail. Beach access via hardstanding and boardwalk from Lifeboat Road car park. At Victoria Road the beach can only be accessed over the sand dunes via a steep, sandy path. Free parking and designated spaces near paths for Blue Badge holders. For more information please download the access guide below. This guide aims to provide clear, useful information to help people know more about what to expect when travelling to and exploring National Trust Formby, particularly for those with additional needs.
- Accessible toilet
- Steps/uneven terrain
- By road
Victoria Road car park and toilets are closed for a major conservation project until spring 2026 - no pedestrian access through the work site area. Lifeboat Road car park will remain open, but parking is extremely limited. Visitors are advised not to travel to us by car on sunny days. Parking restrictions and fines in place by Sefton Council on residential roads. Lifeboat Road car park directions – 2 miles off A565. Follow yellow diversion signs from roundabout at south end of Formby bypass. Restrictions: Maximum height 2.3m and width 3 metres. Please note entrance gate is locked outside of opening times (exit anytime via flow plates). Payment: Download the PayByPhone app from paybyphone.co.uk for a simple, contactless payment. Coins only in the machines. 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.
Sat Nav: Lifeboat Road car park entrance at grid reference SD275065: use postcode L37 2EB.
- On foot
Arrive by train and get off at Formby station. Go up the stairs and turn right out of the exit. Walk down the bridge pavement and all the way along Kirklake Road. You will see an entrance to the site as the road bends. If you get to St Luke's church, you have gone too far. Victoria Road car park and toilets are closed for a major conservation project until spring 2026. There is no visitor access on foot to the beach through the work site area, which starts at the junction of Victoria Road and Badgers Rake, continuing along the car park out on to the beach. You can still access the north of the site on foot via Blundell Avenue. But please note there are NO toilets, bins or refreshments available at this end of the site until spring 2026.
- By train
With regular services every 15-minutes, travelling by train is the most convenient way to visit Formby beach whilst we carry out our major conservation project at Victoria Road. 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 in the car park. Freshfield station – there is no visitor access on foot to the beach through the work site area, which starts at the junction of Victoria Road and Badgers Rake, continuing along the car park out on to the beach. You can still access the north of site on foot via Blundell Avenue. Please note: if you decide to walk on site from Freshfield station there are NO toilets, bins or refreshments available at this end of the site until spring 2026
- Cycling
NCN62, 3 miles. Thank you for helping to protect the precious landscape at Formby by keeping to designated cycle paths, tarmacked roads or beach. Cycle racks are available next to the toilets at Lifeboat Road car park. There are plenty of cycle routes and paths in the local area. Bike hire is available at both the Eco Visitor Centre and Southport Train Station. You can take your bike for free, without pre-booking, on the Merseyrail network. Entry is free for visitors arriving on foot or by bike.
- Lifeboat Road car park address
Lifeboat Road, near Formby, Liverpool L37 2EB
National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH
Planning your visit
News
Formby beach car park closed for major conservation project
Formby beach car park closed 1 May 2025 to spring 2026 for a major conservation project. Please avoid travelling to us by car on busy, sunny days. Find out more about the work involved in this project and impact on your plans to visit.
Project
Project
Major conservation project in progress. Find out what's involved and get answers to frequently asked questions.
Thank you for your support and understanding whilst we enhance this special space for people and wildlife.
Article
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.
Activity
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.
PDF
PDF
Formby map and facilities
Take a look at the map of National Trust Formby to help plan your visit
Highlights
Coast
A coastal nature haven with some of Europe’s best sand dune habitats, where many rare species, including natterjack toads, thrive.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do at Formby
Formby’s coastline is home to many rare species, two shipwrecks and prehistoric footprints. Can you spot a red squirrel in the trees or footprints on the shoreline?
Outdoor activities
Activity
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.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Formby
Discover some of North West Europe’s most important sand dune habitats, where many rare species including natterjack toads thrive. Rich in history, visitors can catch glimpses of the past from spotting pre-historic footprints and shipwrecks to strolling through what was once acres of asparagus fields. Formby’s sweeping pinewoods are also home to the iconic red squirrel. Sunny days and holidays can be busy so you may decide you’ll enjoy your visit more on a quieter day.
History
Article
Discover the history of Formby
Formby is steeped in history if you know where to look. Discover the history of Formby’s asparagus fields, prehistoric footprints and shipwrecks.
Our work
Project
Project
Removing the rubble at Victoria Road and restoring rare sand dune habitats
Find out more about a major conservation project happening at Formby this year and the impact on your plans to visit.
Article
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.
Article
Conservation work at Formby
Formby is one of the fastest changing stretches of coastline that we care for. Discover how the team are working with nature to protect rare habitats and wildlife.
Article
Freshfield Caravan Park and dune movement at Formby
Find out more about how natural sand dune movement is impacting the caravan site at Victoria Road, Formby.
Project
Project
Woodland creation at Lunt
We're creating new woodlands and more diverse nature-rich habitats on 78 hectares of land in the Lunt area of Sefton. Find out more about this on-going project.
Support us
Article
Volunteering at Formby
Explore how dedicated volunteers help to keep Formby thriving through all seasons, how you can get involved and what’s in it for you.
PDF
PDF
Formby spring newsletter 2025
Catch up on all the latest news at NT Formby including the work we've been doing with regular volunteers to care for and maintain this special place.
PDF
PDF
Making a difference together in 2024
Find out how your support helped us care for Formby's nature haven in 2024
Supporter Groups in the North-West
Find out about the supporter groups you can join in Liverpool and Lancashire including the Bolton Association, Ormskirk and District Association and the Southport and Formby Association.