Beaches in Liverpool: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Coastal Spots Near the City

Beaches in Liverpool offer a refreshing coastal escape just minutes from the city’s vibrant cultural scene. The beaches near Liverpool are known for their wide sandy shores, scenic promenades and stunning views across the Irish Sea. From the popular sands of Crosby, famous for Antony Gormley’s Another Place sculptures, to the family-friendly charm of Formby and the relaxed atmosphere of New Brighton, the best beaches in Liverpool blend natural beauty with easy accessibility year-round. Whether you are seeking family-friendly sands, dramatic coastal walks, or unique sculpture installations, this Liverpool beaches guide will help you to experience the best that rival any Mediterranean shoreline.

Best Beaches in Liverpool for Scenic Views, Family Fun and Coastal Walks

Beaches near Liverpool with wide sandy shores and views across the Irish Sea

Crosby Beach – Home of the Famous Iron Men Sculptures 

The Crosby Beach is a 2.5-mile stretch of sand that hosts Antony Gormley’s renowned Another Place installation, featuring 100 cast-iron sculptures. Crosby Beach Iron Men are life-sized figures, each weighing 650 kilograms.

The beach itself offers soft, unblemished sand backed by low dunes, with panoramic views stretching to the Wirral Peninsula and North Wales. Crosby Beach earned Keep Britain Tidy’s Quality Coast Award, although it remains a non-bathing designation. 

• Transportation: Crosby Beach can be reached via Merseyrail, with trains departing Liverpool Central every 15 minutes. Alight at Waterloo, Blundellsands and Crosby, or Hall Road stations, offer a 5 to 10-minute walk to the shore.

Formby Beach – Sand Dunes, Pine Forests and Red Squirrels 

Formby Beach stands as one of the best beaches in Liverpool. This expansive shoreline combines golden sand, towering dunes and ancient pine forests, creating a landscape that feels wonderfully remote despite its accessibility.

Beyond the beach, tranquil woodland paths wind through pine groves, where red squirrels can be found. The Formby Beach red squirrels are one of the few remaining populations in England. The area also supports sand lizards, natterjack toads, and internationally significant bird species.

• Transportation: Visitors are strongly advised to travel by train from Formby station, a 30-minute journey from Liverpool Central. Parking costs approximately Rs. 830 (£7.50) for non-National Trust members, while members and Blue Badge holders park free.

New Brighton Beach – Classic Victorian Seaside Experience 

The New Brighton Beach delivers classic British seaside nostalgia. This golden sand stretch was developed as a resort town in the 1830s and maintains the Victorian grandeur.

The beach offers views across Liverpool Bay to the city skyline. Adjacent to the fort, the New Brighton Lighthouse rises elegantly, and it remains accessible on foot during low tide. 

The Marine Point houses cafes, restaurants and colourful street art, thereby creating a lively beachfront atmosphere. The Victoria Quarter features vintage stores and eateries for post-beach refreshment, while the amusement park offers traditional seaside entertainment.

• Transportation: The beach is easily reachable via car or through Merseyrail services to New Brighton station.

West Kirby Beach – Walk to Hilbre Islands at Low Tide 

The West Kirby Beach presents a unique coastal experience combining sandy shores with a distinctive marine lake. This beach buzzes with activity throughout the summer and ranks among the best family beaches in Liverpool.

The highlight remains the walk to Hilbre Islands, which reveals rock pools teeming with marine life. The walk also reveals three tidal islands that host rare bird species and offer spectacular views. The Marine Lake is a 52-acre man-made saltwater reservoir that provides ideal conditions for windsurfing, paddleboarding, sailing and kayaking.

• Transportation: West Kirby station is a 7-minute walk from the beach, with trains from Liverpool Lime Street taking approximately 36 minutes.

Ainsdale Beach – Blue Flag Beach Near Liverpool 

Ainsdale Beach is renowned as the only Blue Flag beach in Northwest England. This expansive sandy stretch, backed by dramatic dunes, offers space and tranquillity even during peak summer periods.

The beach is renowned for extreme kite activities and horse riding activities. The Ainsdale Discovery Centre provides environmental education and lays the way for exploring the Sandhills Local Nature Reserve. 

• Transportation: Reaching Ainsdale takes 35 minutes from Liverpool Central via Merseyrail to Ainsdale station, followed by a 20-minute walk or bus number 49.

Wallasey Beach – Quiet Family-Friendly Beach on the Wirral 

Wallasey Beach provides a quieter alternative for those seeking tranquillity. This sandy stretch, backed by sand dunes, offers four miles of coastal path perfect for extended walks or cycling.

The beach combines golden sand at low tide, thereby making it one of the best family beaches in Liverpool. This uncrowded beach destination is best for enjoying barbecues and picnics with your loved ones. 

• Transportation: Wallasey Village station on Merseyrail’s Wirral Line sits 2.4 kilometres from the beach, with buses 413 and 414 covering part of the distance. 

Thurstaston Beach – Hidden Coastal Gem in Wirral Country Park 

Thurstaston Beach remains on the list of the best beaches in Liverpool. This unspoiled shoreline is less crowded than its northern neighbours and sits within Wirral Country Park.

The beach provides exceptional views of the Clwydian Hills, with Blackpool Tower visible on particularly clear days. The Wirral Way, a popular trail following a former railway line, connects multiple coastal access points. The area’s tranquil atmosphere attracts those seeking contemplation and natural beauty away from busier beaches.

• Transportation: Access requires driving or cycling, as public transport connections are limited.

Southport Beach – Traditional Seaside Resort Near Liverpool 

Southport Beach embodies traditional British seaside culture. This 22-mile sandy expanse is one of the longest beaches in England and combines Victorian architecture with amusement arcades and modern attractions.

The beach is famous for its notoriously low high tides, with the sea sometimes receding over a mile from shore. This phenomenon creates vast expanses of firm sand ideal for beach games, kite flying, and long walks. Southport Pier, the second-longest in Britain at 3,650 feet, extends over the sands, offering tramway rides and panoramic views.

• Transportation: Merseyrail trains from Liverpool Central reach Southport, with the station conveniently located near the town centre and beach.

Leasowe Bay – Wild and Windswept Beach on the Wirral Coast

Leasowe Bay offers a genuinely wild beach experience. Low-lying sand dunes and hay meadows surround this large sandy beach, creating an unexpectedly remote atmosphere despite urban proximity. The beach attracts those seeking solitude and natural beauty.

Paddleboarding, windsurfing and wild swimming have gained popularity here, with the exposed location providing consistent winds and waves. Nature walks through the surrounding dunes and meadows reveal diverse flora and fauna. The Wirral Circular Trail and Wirral Way coastal paths pass through Leasowe Bay, connecting it to a wider network of walking routes.

• Transportation: The nearest parking lies at Leasowe Lighthouse or in nearby residential areas, followed by a pleasant walk to the shore.

Conclusion: Why Beaches in Liverpool Are Worth Visiting?

The beaches in Liverpool deliver remarkable diversity within easy reach of the city. From Crosby’s contemplative iron men to Formby’s wilderness dunes, from West Kirby’s island walks to Southport’s Victorian grandeur, beaches near Liverpool offer distinct experiences and memorable moments. Check Liverpool Tour Packages from Pickyourtrail and discover the best of Merseyside’s coastline.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beaches in Liverpool

Are the beaches in Liverpool free to visit?

Yes. The only costs you’ll encounter are parking fees, which range from free roadside to approximately Rs. 830 (£7) at National Trust sites like Formby. Blue Badge holders and National Trust members typically park free at designated locations.

Which Liverpool beach is best for families?

Formby Beach and New Brighton Beach rank as the best family options. Formby offers spacious sands, shallow waters with lifeguards during summer, woodland walks to spot red squirrels and excellent facilities.

Can you swim at Liverpool beaches?

Swimming is possible at several beaches, including Formby and Ainsdale, which sometimes have lifeguards during peak season. However, Crosby Beach is permanently red-flagged due to strong currents and is not suitable for swimming.

What is the best time to see the Crosby Beach Iron Men?

The best viewing time is during low tide when more figures are exposed. The sculptures are visible at all tide states, but low tide allows a closer approach and more dramatic photography.

Are dogs allowed on Liverpool beaches?

Yes, most Liverpool beaches are dog-friendly year-round. Crosby, Ainsdale, Wallasey and Wirral beaches welcome dogs. Formby restricts dogs on leads along Squirrel Walk.

Can you walk to Hilbre Island from West Kirby Beach?

Yes, the Hilbre Islands are accessible on foot at low tide via an hour-long walk from West Kirby Beach.

What beach is the closest to Liverpool city centre?

Crosby Beach is the closest, located just 6 miles north of Liverpool city centre, with a 20-minute train journey on Merseyrail from Liverpool Central.

Do Liverpool Beaches have lifeguards?

Lifeguards operate at Formby and Ainsdale beaches during the peak summer season, typically from late May through September. New Brighton sometimes has lifeguard coverage during busy periods.