School and group visits to Formby

School group on beach — School group exploring Formby | © Trevor Ray Hart

Whether it’s for a couple of hours or the whole day, Formby’s nature haven is a popular choice for a school or group trip. To ensure a great day out for everyone, school and large group visits must be pre-booked.

How to book a group visit

We aim to make your group visit to Formby a great experience, by working with you to meet your needs as best we can. Please note for safety reasons all school and group visits must be booked in advance, even if you are walking on site.

Large groups are welcome to pre-book a visit to Lifeboat Road car park mid-week, during normal opening times.

We unfortunately can’t take bookings for minibus and coach access during busy times this includes local school holidays, weekends and bank holidays. This is because Formby is a natural space with limited parking and toilet facilities.

For all the information you will need to plan your school or group visit and to make a booking request please CLICK HERE.

Simply fill out the form and send to the team by email formby@nationaltrust.org.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as we can to confirm if your requested dates are available.

We look forward to welcoming your group to Formby's special nature haven.

No coach or horse box parking at Victoria Road

Please note there is no coach parking, drop off or stopping on the highway at Victoria Road. Thank you for being mindful of our neighbours.

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 800 2329 or email us at NTTravelTrade@capita.co.uk.

National Trust Education Group Access Pass

Schools or education groups can benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives the whole group free admission and parking at most of the places in our care for a year.

Discover more at Formby

Find out how to get to Formby, where to park, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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?

Aparagus beds in the sand dunes at Formby, Merseyside

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.

Visitors explore the sand dunes at Formby, Merseyside

Article

Conservation work at Formby

Formby is one of the fastest changing stretches of coastline under the National Trust’s care. Discover how the team are working with nature to protect rare habitats and wildlife.

Project

Projects at Formby

Find out what's happening at Formby's nature haven and get involved. Together we can shape future plans to protect this precious landscape and the rare species that call it home.

Costumed interpreter as the school mistress and visitors in the recreated Victorian classroom at Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire

Article

Education Group Access Pass

If you’re planning educational group visits to National Trust places, then you could benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives you free admission for a year.

Visitors in the garden in January at Charlecote Park, Warwickshire

Article

Touring Pass

If you're travelling to the UK from overseas this year, buy a National Trust Touring Pass for entry to more than 300 places in our care. With 7-day and 14-day options available, the pass can be tailored to fit your trip. Discover where you can visit with the Touring Pass and how to buy yours.