Beach Boardwalk Path

Liverpool & Lancashire

Formby Boardwalk Trail step 2 image showing undulating stone footpath | © Chris Hunter, Ranger

This short 500m route takes you from Lifeboat Road car park to the beach, via a stone footpath then a wooden boardwalk.

Near to

Start point

National Trust Formby Lifeboat Road car park, Lifeboat Road, Formby, L37 2EB. Start around halfway along the road between bay 1 and bay 2.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 0.3 (km: 0.48)

Duration 15 mins

Dog friendly**

*Though the path is made up of compacted stone and a wooden boardwalk, it can still be difficult to navigate, particularly when a lot of sand has blown on to the path. The slopes are relatively gentle given the fact that the path takes you over fixed dune grassland and mobile dune habitat, with some short, steep sections of the boardwalk up to 1:6. For further details, see the Terrain section or take a look at our Accessibility Guide.
**Suitable for dogs under close control.

Address
L37 2EB
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Local Merseyrail services run every 15 minutes to Formby train station, which is approximately 1.2 miles from the entrance to Lifeboat Road car park. National services run to Liverpool Lime Street in Liverpool city centre, which is approximately 14 miles away.
On foot
The start of the trail can be gained by walking in from the Lifeboat Road entrance, or from the Kirklake Corner entrance. See our Accessibility Guide for more information about these entrances.
By bus
Local buses in Formby run from Formby train station, and the F3 service passes close by the entrance at Kirklake Corner and Lifeboat Road.
Cycling
Cycle racks can be found next to the portable toilets at Lifeboat Road car park.
By road
Formby town can be accessed from the Formby bypass (A565) easily if coming from either Southport or Switch Island, at the end of the M57 and M58. These motorways connect to the M62 and M6 respectively.
Dogs
Suitable for dogs under close control.
Car park
Lifeboat Road car park has limited parking spaces and can get very busy on sunny days. Please use public transport where possible. See "Getting Here" for more information on public transport options.
Toilet
Unisex portable toilets, and a portable toilet with accessible features can be found at Lifeboat Road car park.
Picnic area
There are two picnic areas in Lifeboat Road car park, by bays 1 and 3.
Cycle parking
Cycle racks can be found next to the portable toilets at Lifeboat Road car park.
Sand wheelchairs are available to borrow for free. Please see our Accessibility Guide for details of how to rent them.
Designated parking
Each of the three bays at Lifeboat Road car park have accessible parking spaces.
Accessible toilet
A portable toilet with accessible features can be found at Lifeboat Road car park.
Seating available
The route has 4 benches on route, with a maximum distance of 150m between any two.
Steps/uneven terrain
The terrain is undulating with a maximum gradient of 1:6.
Wheelchairs available
Sand wheelchairs are available to borrow for free. Please see our Accessibility Guide for details of how to rent them.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
National Trust Formby Lifeboat Road car park, Lifeboat Road, Formby, L37 2EB. Start around halfway along the road between bay 1 and bay 2.
Stage 1
Head west along the stone footpath, going past a short narrower section 2.1m wide, with wooden revetment either side.
Stage 2
Continue along the undulating stone footpath for around 250m, as it rolls over dune grassland habitat.
Stage 3
Eventually, you will reach the beginning of the wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk is 2.1m wide and continues for around 200m westwards.
Stage 4
At the brow of the hill on the boardwalk there is a bench, the route then descends quite steeply in places (up to 1:6) but only for up to 10 metres at a time. A wooden handrail can assist visitors up and down the steeper sections.
Stage 5
At the bottom of the slope, the path levels out and a series of switchbacks brings visitors level with the beach.
End point
From the bottom of the boardwalk, visitors can walk directly on to the beach. In the summer months, extra roll-out planks are added to help visitors reach the firmer, damp sand, though this is often partially buried in sand after dry, windy conditions. Grid reference: SD 27000 06689
Trail map
Formby Beach Boardwalk Trails Map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH

01704878591

formby@nationaltrust.org.uk

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