About this site
About FormbyGuide
An independent local guide to Formby — the red squirrels, the beach, the pinewoods, where to eat, and everything a visitor needs to know. Written by someone who lives here.
Who writes it
Clare — Editor
FormbyGuide is written in the voice of Clare — a local Formby woman who has lived here for over fifteen years. Mum of four, she knows every trail, tide time, and family-friendly spot on the Sefton Coast, and isn't shy about telling you which ones aren't worth the bother.
Clare is the target reader and the author. She writes like she's texting a friend who's visiting for the first time — practical info first, honest about what's worth it, and never gushing. If something isn't up to scratch, she'll say so.
A note on transparency: Clare is an editorial voice — a persona built from genuine local knowledge. The real person behind FormbyGuide is Damian Roche of Churchtown Media. All content reflects real first-hand knowledge of the area. No sponsored editorial, no fluff.
Who publishes it
Damian Roche
Founder, Churchtown Media Ltd — Company No. 16960442
Damian is based in Churchtown, Southport — neighbouring Formby and right on the Sefton Coast. He built FormbyGuide as part of the Sefton Coast Network — a group of four independent editorial guides covering this stretch of coast. FormbyGuide exists because no dedicated, editorially independent guide to Formby existed anywhere online.
LinkedIn profile →What we cover
Red Squirrels
The best guide to visiting the NT red squirrel reserve — when to go, what to bring, what to expect.
Formby Beach
Parking, postcode, dog rules, facilities, sand dunes and Formby Point. Everything you need before you set off.
The Pinewoods
Walking trails through the National Trust pinewoods — wildlife, history, and how to get there.
Restaurants & Cafés
Where to eat in Formby village — independent restaurants, cafés, and the NT café by the beach.
Things To Do
Activities, family days out, walking routes and everything else for a day in Formby.
Local businesses
The full directory of Formby shops, services and businesses.
How it's funded
FormbyGuide is free to use. It's funded by featured placement — businesses can pay for premium positioning in listings. This is disclosed clearly on the site.
Featured placement has no influence on what gets written. We may also earn affiliate commissions from some external links. These are disclosed where they appear.
Get in touch
To list your business, ask about featured placement, or flag anything that looks wrong — use the contact form below.