A Guide to Seaside Serenity at the 10 Best Beaches Around Liverpool
We might not look it, what with our pearly white skin and love for a good pint, but we Scousers absolutely adore a day at the beach.
Whether it’s building sandcastles with the kids, dipping our toes in the icy water, or braving the wind for a stroll, we’re all about that seaside life.
Luckily, Liverpool has more than a few gorgeous (with a capital G!) spots for when the sun decides to show its face.
For sun-worshippers, sandcastle architects, wave-watchers, and those who just want to feel the salty breeze, here are the top beaches around Liverpool you simply can’t miss!
Crosby
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Website: https://www.sefton.gov.uk/around-sefton/crosby-beach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/428206180/
Address: Mariners Road, Crosby
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: [email protected]
Located just north of Liverpool, Crosby Beach stretches for a cool two-and-a-half miles. It offers views across the Mersey estuary and, on very clear days, all the way to The Wirral, North Wales, and Snowdonia.
This non-bathing beach isn’t just about its sandy stretches—it’s home to Antony Gormley’s “Another Place” installation. One hundred iron statues stand firm, facing the horizon, as if waiting for the sea’s next big secret.
It’s a grand spot for families, couples, or solo wanderers. Take a leisurely stroll, admire the tide rolling in and out around the statues, or bring your camera for snaps that’ll make your mates green with envy.
Plus, getting to Crosby couldn’t be simpler; jump on a train from Liverpool Central to Waterloo (Merseyside), and you’ll be on the beach in a jiffy.
| Pro Tip: Before or after your beach trip, treat yourself to a brew at Crosby Coffee. This independent roastery serves top-notch coffee and epic breakfasts. |
Formby
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Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/formby/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formby-beach-liverpool/
Address: National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: [email protected]
Formby Beach, managed by the National Trust, is a belter of a spot with wide sands, big skies, and dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. And let’s not forget those views of Cumbria’s mountains in the distance.
Formby is a corker for a day out. Go for a walk, a jog, or even cycle along the three-and-a-half-mile circular woodland trail.
As a bonus, rare natterjack toads make their home in the dunes, while red squirrels can be spotted scampering through the pinewoods that hug the shoreline.
At the southern end of Formby, something truly special happens—low tide reveals prehistoric footprints left by ancient humans and animals. These fleeting impressions emerge only when the sands shift just right.
| Pro Tip: Fancy a nibble? Bring your own picnic or head to Lifeboat Road car park’s Coffee Études for a proper cuppa, toasties, and indulgent cakes. |
Red Wharf Bay
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Website: https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-wales/anglesey/red-wharf-bay.htm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/red-wharf-bay-anglesey/
Address: Harry’s Way, Pentraeth, Isle of Anglesey
Hours: Open 24 hours
Head west to Anglesey and you’ll find Red Wharf Bay, a majestic, dog-friendly beach. It’s located between two lovely towns: Pentraeth and Benllech.
This spot is a real treat for birdwatchers; marshes and dunes create a nature reserve that’s a magnet for wading birds and waterfowl, from curlews to sandpipers and shelduck. So, bring your binoculars, settle in, and enjoy the avian spectacle.
And for the anglers out there, there’s even a handy slipway that makes it easy for fishing boats to get in and out!
After a wander, pop into The Ship Inn, a pub that’s right on the shore. The grub? Good ol’ pub classics like haddock and lamb pie.
| Pro Tip: Aim to visit Red Wharf Bay at low tide for an otherworldly view of swirling sands and rock pools. But watch your step—those tides are quicker than they look. |
Silverdale
Website: https://www.visitlancashire.com/explore/arnside-and-silverdale/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverdale-beach/
Address: Shore Road, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire
Hours: Open 24 hours
Nestled within the Arnside and Silverdale, this Morecambe Bay gem offers limestone cliffs, caves, and rock pools galore. In fact, this spot’s been dubbed a National Landscape, thanks to its lovely mix of habitats and all sorts of wildlife.
Hike up The Knott, a 159-metre-high limestone hill, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the bay and surrounding countryside. Look out for buzzards, butterflies, and even roe deer on this wildlife-rich route—it’s nature at its best.
Keep in mind that the bay has some tricky spots with fast tides and mud, so it’s best to stick close to the shore, where you’ll find loads of sand and rock pools to explore.
Back in the village, you can score proper pints and homemade pub grub at The Silverdale Hotel.
| Pro Tip: Take a walk along the coast to Arnside for breathtaking views of the Lakeland fells, or scramble to the Giant’s Seat at Jack Scout nature reserve. The sunsets? Absolutely mint. |
Talacre Beach
Website: https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-wales/clwyd/talacre.htm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talacre-beach/
Address: Station Rd, Talacre, Holywell
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: 017 458 5804
Over in North Wales, Talacre Beach boasts miles of dune-backed sands and panoramic views across the Irish Sea. It’s only a hop, skip, and a jump from Liverpool, and worth every minute!
Fellow Scousers flock here for the sunsets, which are properly gorgeous, setting the sky ablaze. Don’t forget to take snaps for your Instafeed!
Talacre is also ideal for long walks, with or without the kids or pooch. Bring your binoculars for birdwatching at the RSPB Point of Ayr—home to everything from skylarks to rare natterjack toads.
When hunger strikes, the nearby Lola & Suggs Beach Café is your go-to. From cooked breakfasts and homemade cakes to ice cream and “doggy beer,” there’s something for everyone—including the pups.
| Pro Tip: Make your way to the photogenic Point of Ayr lighthouse. Dating back to 1776, it’s a beacon for photographers and dreamers alike. |
Traeth Lligwy
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Website: https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-wales/anglesey/traeth-lligwy.htm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traeth-lligwy/
Address: Lligwy Dulas, Moelfre
Hours: Mon – Sun: open 24 hours
Contact: [email protected]
A two-hour jaunt west of Liverpool takes you to Anglesey’s Traeth Lligwy, a stretch of beach that feels like stepping into another world. It’s got that untouched vibe, perfect for a bit of soul-soothing.
The firm sands make it top-notch for building castles with the kids, or if you fancy a bit of action, windsurfing and kitesurfing take full advantage of the sea breeze. When it’s quiet, you’ll hear little more than the calls of wading birds.
Time it right for low tide, and you’re in for a treat. The light skips across tidal pools, and it’s magical—like nature’s own bit of theatre.
For added convenience, there’s a pay-and-display car park waiting for you at the end of the access road off the A5025 at Brynrefail.
| Pro Tip: History buffs, take a quick detour to Lligwy Burial Chamber. This late-Neolithic wonder’s plonked in a field with one of the chunkiest capstones you’ll clap eyes on. |
West Shore, Llandudno
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Website: https://www.visitconwy.org.uk/llandudno-west-shore-beach-p297021
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/west-shore-llandudno/
Address: Gwynedd Rd, Llandudno
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
While Llandudno’s North Shore gets all the hustle and bustle with its Victorian pier and buckets-and-spades galore, the West Shore is the laid-back sibling. It’s only about a one-and-a-half-hour scoot from Liverpool, offering a quiet escape.
The expansive sands and shallow waters make it ace for kitesurfing, buggying, and a bit of canoeing. If you fancy stretching your legs, there’s a nature trail around Great Orme, where you might spot nesting guillemots and razorbills.
But it’s the scenery that really takes the cake. Great Orme looms over the bay, and in the distance, Snowdonia’s peaks do their thing.
Also, pups are welcome, but just a heads-up—restrictions are in place from May to the end of September.
| Pro Tip: Look out to Anglesey and you’ll be treated to some smashing views. And if you’re extra lucky, you might just spot dolphins out to sea or the local Kashmiri goats trotting about. |
Wirral Peninsula
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Website: https://www.visitwirral.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/582730238/wirral-peninsula/
Address: Merseyside, Cheshire
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact Details: 0151 691 8518
The Wirral Peninsula is located near the Irish Sea, with the River Mersey on one side and the River Dee on the other. The name “Wirral” comes from Old English, meaning “myrtle corner,” as it was once thought to be covered in bog myrtle.
It’s a favourite among Scousers, boasting a string of beautiful beaches. It also has a mild climate with cool winters, warm summers, and steady rain all year round.
Wildlife’s the star of the show here. The Dee Estuary and Red Rocks Marsh attract flocks of oystercatchers, redshanks, and black-tailed godwits. You can even wander over to the Hilbre Islands and spot grey seals.
For something a bit different, follow the old railway track along the 12-mile Wirral Way, winding through the country park from West Kirby to Hooton.
| Pro Tip: Rumbling tummy? Head to Flissy’s in Thurstaston for some delectable bagels, soups, salads, and ice cream to keep you fueled. |
New Brighton Beach
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Website: https://www.livingseasnw.org.uk/wallasey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/new-brighton-beach/
Address: New Brighton, Wallasey
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: 0791 473 7887
New Brighton Beach, or Wallasey Beach as it’s sometimes called, is right across from Liverpool Port on the Wirral’s southern edge. Just a quick seven-mile ride from Liverpool city centre, it’s a doddle to get to, especially for those after a bit of sun, sea, and sand.
There’s more than just sandcastle building too. Wander over to the New Brighton Lighthouse for a pic or two, or dip into the area’s history at Perch Rock Fort.
On hot days, you’ll find locals flocking here, drawn by the buzz around Marine Point. It has everything, from historic landmarks and museums to movie locations, retro ice cream shops, and unique souvenir spots.
As a cherry on top, you can catch free brass band concerts every week during summer over in Vale Park!
| Pro Tip: Love a good game of golf? Swing by Warren Golf Club, a public course with some tricky coastal holes to keep things interesting. |
Ainsdale Beach
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Website: https://www.sefton.gov.uk/ainsdale-beach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ainsdale-beach/
Address: Merseyside
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact Details: 0151 934 2961
Ainsdale Beach is a belter with some of the best sands in the area—soft, wide, and perfect for all sorts, from kite surfers to buggying enthusiasts. There’s no shortage of wind and space to play here—no wonder it earned a Quality Coast Award!
For something a bit different, you can sign up for free guided bike rides to explore the area. It’s a great way to spot local wildlife and learn a bit about the dunes and surrounding landscapes.
The beach itself is backed by rugged sand dunes, adding a touch of wilderness to your seaside wander. As a bonus, educational types will love the Ainsdale Discovery Centre and the Sandhills Local Nature Reserve.
| Pro Tip: When you’ve had your fill of beach time, nip over to Ainsdale Village. It’s full of cosy cafés, bars, and quirky local shops—ideal for a post-beach treat or a quick pint. |