Formby During Open Week: The Quieter Alternative to Southport

The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale runs until Sunday. Southport is busier than at any other point in the year. Hotels are full, restaurants need booking days in advance, and the roads around Birkdale are not worth attempting. All of which makes Formby, eight miles south on the train line, a genuinely sensible option this week.

The Beach Is Normal

Formby beach is not affected by The Open. The National Trust car park at L37 1YH is operating as normal. Parking is still available in the mornings. The beach itself, the pinewoods, and the red squirrel trail are all running at standard July capacity, which is busy but manageable. If you are staying in the area and want a day out that does not involve Open week crowds, Formby beach is the obvious answer.

The red squirrels are around, though July is not the peak viewing month. Early morning on the squirrel trail gives the best chance. Bring binoculars and be patient.

Formby as a Base for The Open

If you are attending The Open and are based in Formby, the journey to Royal Birkdale is straightforward. Take Merseyrail from Formby station toward Southport and alight at Hillside station. The journey takes around ten minutes and Hillside is approximately five minutes walk from the Royal Birkdale entrance. You do not need to go into Southport town centre at all.

Several Formby B&Bs and holiday lets still have Open week availability where Southport has been sold out for months. If you have not sorted accommodation and still want to attend the championship, Formby is worth looking at.

Eating in Formby This Week

Formby restaurants are noticeably less busy than Southport this week. Left Bank Brasserie on Brows Lane and The Sparrowhawk are both taking walk-ins at lunch more easily than you would find anywhere in Birkdale village or Southport town centre. Booking ahead for dinner is still sensible, but the availability is in a different league.