Red Squirrels in Formby
One of the best places in England to see them in the wild. Go early, wear layers, bring binoculars — and watch even teenagers get excited when they spot one.
Formby is one of only a handful of places left in England where you can genuinely say "we're going to see red squirrels" and mean it. The National Trust pinewoods are home to one of the largest remaining colonies in the north of England. They're not tame, nobody feeds them on cue — but if you show up at the right time and move quietly, you've got a decent chance. On a good autumn morning we've counted half a dozen from a single trail.
When to Visit for Best Sightings
✦ Best
September – February
Peak season. Squirrels are most active foraging before winter. Fewer leaves = better sightings. Autumn light through the pines is stunning.
Good
March – May
Young squirrels born in spring. You may spot juveniles. Activity is good but thicker foliage makes spotting harder.
Possible
June – August
Summer is quietest — squirrels are active but dense canopy and heat reduces visibility. Go early morning.
Time of Day
First 2 hours after sunrise
Consistently the best window. They come down from the canopy to forage before it gets busy. By midday they're much harder to spot.
Where Exactly to Go
Address & Access
National Trust Formby
Victoria Road, Formby, L37 1YH
- • Main car park on Victoria Road
- • Squirrel trails start from car park
- • Download NT app & book parking before you leave
- • No phone signal on site
Distance from Nearby Cities
- Liverpool city centre 20–25 mins
- Southport 10 mins
- Wigan/Manchester 45–60 mins
- Preston 35 mins
- Train to Formby station 20 min walk
Parking Prices
NT Members
Free
Show card or app
Non-members
From £6
Book via NT app
Squirrel Trails & Walks
Squirrel Trail (short)
Easy⏱️ 30–45 mins
The dedicated red squirrel trail looping through dense pinewood. This is where sightings are most reliable. Starts from main car park. Good for all ages including pushchairs on wider sections.
Beach & Pines (extended)
Easy–Moderate⏱️ 1.5–2 hours
Follow squirrel trail through pines, continue west to beach, walk along sand, return through dunes. Brilliant combination — wildlife and sea in one go. Wellies or sturdy footwear recommended.
Full Coastal Path
Moderate⏱️ 2.5–3 hours
Walk north along Sefton Coastal Path toward Ainsdale or south toward Hightown. Flat but exposed to coastal winds. Can be done as linear walk with train back from Ainsdale.
Tips & What to Bring
Move Slowly & Quietly
They hear you before they see you. Walk slowly, stop often, look up into canopy. Less spooking = higher chance they carry on.
Bring Binoculars
Not essential but brilliant. Often high in the pines — binoculars let you see properly instead of just a rusty blur.
Dress for Coastal Weather
Coastal woodland gets cool and damp even on warm days. Layers and waterproofs make sense year-round.
Good Footwear
Trainers fine on dry days. After rain paths are muddy. Wellies if you're planning to walk to the beach.
Download NT App First
You need it for parking. Signal on site is poor. Sort it at home before you leave.
Dogs Welcome (On Leads)
Dogs are fine on trails but must be on leads in squirrel reserve. Signs mark where the lead zone starts.
Photography Tips
Morning light through pines is stunning. Phone cameras struggle with low canopy light — a decent zoom lens helps.
Don't Feed Them
Tempting but harmful to squirrels and the reserve. Watch and enjoy — that's enough.
Common Questions
Are red squirrels guaranteed?
No wildlife sighting is ever guaranteed, but Formby is about as reliable as it gets in England. Go early on a dry morning in autumn or winter and chances are good. Some mornings you'll see several. On a wet summer afternoon, you might see none. Manage expectations but don't be put off — it's worth the visit regardless.
Is it suitable for young children?
Yes. The squirrel trail is flat and manageable for kids. Pushchairs are fine on main paths. Keep children calm and slow-moving near the squirrel zone — excited running sends them straight up into the canopy.
Do I need to book?
You don't need to book to visit — but you should book your parking slot via the NT app or website before you leave, especially in summer and at weekends. The car park fills up and on-site signal is terrible.
What's happened to the red squirrel population?
Grey squirrels, introduced from North America in the 1870s, gradually displaced reds across most of England. They compete for food and carry squirrelpox (fatal to reds but not greys). Formby survives because the habitat suits reds and the NT actively manages the reserve, including grey squirrel control.