Stay in Formby for The Open
Royal Birkdale is 2 miles up the road. Book accommodation in Formby, get the train, and you're at the course in under 10 minutes.
If you're coming for The Open, Formby is the sensible base.
Southport and Birkdale fill up first. Formby is quieter, has decent accommodation, brilliant restaurants, and a direct train to the course. If you haven't booked yet, move on it.
Getting from Formby to Royal Birkdale
Train: Recommended
Merseyrail Northern Line: Formby → Birkdale. One stop, under 5 minutes. Walk 10 minutes from Birkdale station to the course. No parking stress, no traffic.
Formby station
Station Road, Formby, L37 4AN
Trains every 15–20 mins. Extra services during Open week.
By Car
Formby to Royal Birkdale is around 2 miles via the coast road. 5–8 minutes normally. During Open week: significantly longer. Park and ride is the sensible option.
Open week traffic warning
A565 will be busy. Leave extra time or just use the train.
Park & Ride
Official park-and-ride sites are set up for The Open, confirmed closer to the event by The R&A. Some use the National Trust Formby car park (L37 1YH) as a staging point: check the official Open transportation guide.
Journey Summary
| Route | Method | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Formby → Royal Birkdale | Train | Under 10 mins total |
| Formby → Royal Birkdale | Car (quiet day) | 5–8 mins |
| Formby → Royal Birkdale | Car (Open week) | 30+ mins |
| Liverpool → Formby | Train | 25 mins |
| Manchester → Formby | Car/train | 50–70 mins |
Where to Stay in Formby
Formby has a mix of B&Bs, self-catering cottages, and holiday lets. Birkdale and Southport will be booked out first: Formby is the smart alternative if you've left it late. Book directly where possible.
B&Bs & Guesthouses
Several good guesthouses in the village, mainly family-run. Clean, comfortable, decent breakfasts. Perfect for early starts: you're a 5-minute walk from the station.
Self-Catering Cottages
Holiday lets are worth considering for groups or longer stays. Several properties within easy reach of Formby station. Space to spread out after a day on your feet.
Book now: seriously.
The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2014 sold out accommodation across a 15-mile radius. Formby, Birkdale, Southport, Ainsdale, Crosby: all of it goes. The closer to the event, the more expensive and scarce options become.
Where to Eat During Open Week
Formby village has some excellent restaurants that won't be heaving with Open crowds the way Birkdale pubs will. Book ahead for evening meals: it'll be busy.
Left Bank Brasserie
Book aheadEvening dining
The best restaurant in Formby for a proper evening out. Great wine list, solid food, atmospheric room. Book well ahead for Open week: this will fill up.
Emily's
Book aheadRelaxed dining
Popular neighbourhood restaurant in the village. Relaxed, good quality, consistent. The kind of place you want after a long day on your feet. Book ahead.
The Sparrowhawk
Pub dinner
Good pub food, decent beer, friendly atmosphere. Gets busy but usually finds space. Good option if you haven't booked: better odds than a restaurant.
Don Luigi
Book aheadItalian, groups
Italian in the village. Reliable, decent value, good for bigger groups. Useful if you need a table for 6+. Reasonable prices for an Open week.
Parking During The Open
Don't try to drive to the course. Official park-and-ride arrangements will be in place: details confirmed by The R&A closer to the event. The train from Formby is genuinely the better option.
Official Park & Ride
The R&A confirms park-and-ride sites approximately 3–4 months before The Open. Check theopen.com for official transport info.
Park in Formby, Train to Course
Formby has a reasonable amount of street parking. Park near the station, walk 5 minutes, train to Birkdale in under 5 minutes. Leave the car stress behind.
While You're Here
If you're staying in Formby for a few days, the National Trust estate is worth a morning. Formby Beach is genuinely brilliant: wide open sand, no crowds on weekday mornings. Red squirrels in the pinewoods. Walk from the car park to the sea in 15 minutes.
Common Questions
How far is Formby from Royal Birkdale?
About 2 miles south. By train, Formby to Birkdale station is one stop: under 5 minutes. Walk 10 minutes from Birkdale station to the course entrance.
Can I get a train to the course from Formby?
Yes. Merseyrail Northern Line, Formby to Birkdale: runs every 15–20 minutes normally, with extra services during Open week. This is by far the easiest option.
Is Formby accommodation cheaper than Southport?
Broadly yes: Formby is smaller and less obviously on the radar for Open accommodation. That said, prices will go up as the event approaches. Book now.
Is the NT car park used for park and ride during The Open?
The Formby NT car park (L37 1YH) has been used for park-and-ride in previous Opens at Royal Birkdale. Check the official Open transportation guide for 2026 confirmation.
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