Things to do in Formby
Red squirrels, a brilliant beach, ancient pinewoods, and a village with good restaurants. Here's what's actually worth your time — from someone who lives here.
Formby is small but it punches well above its weight for a day out. The National Trust site alone is worth the drive from Liverpool or Manchester. Add the village restaurants and a walk through the pines and you've got a genuinely full day without having to try very hard.
See the red squirrels
Formby is one of the last reliable places in England to see red squirrels in the wild. The National Trust pinewoods on Victoria Road are home to a thriving colony. Go early morning, September through February is peak season, but you've got a decent chance year-round. Even my teenagers stop complaining the minute they spot one.
Practical info
- →Postcode: L37 1YH
- →Book parking via the NT app before you leave — no signal on site
- →Go early morning for best sightings
- →Dogs welcome on leads in the reserve
Formby Beach
A proper beach. Wide open sand, dramatic dunes, and the Irish Sea with no theme park attached. Walk through the pinewoods to get there (about 15 minutes from the car park) — the moment you come over the dunes onto the beach is genuinely great. Brilliant for dogs, sandcastles, long walks, and doing absolutely nothing.
Practical info
- →Same car park as the squirrel reserve (L37 1YH)
- →Dogs welcome year-round, no seasonal restrictions
- →No lifeguard — be aware of tides
- →Best at low to mid tide for beach walking
Walk the pinewoods
The pinewoods themselves are worth the visit even if you don't see a squirrel. Mature Scots and Corsican pines, quiet paths, the sound of the sea getting closer as you walk west. You can do a short woodland loop (30 minutes) or walk all the way through to the beach and back (1.5–2 hours). Flat the whole way.
Practical info
- →Starts from the NT car park, Victoria Road
- →Flat terrain, manageable for most fitness levels
- →Wellies recommended after rain
- →Continue to the beach for the full experience
Eat in the village
Formby village has a genuinely good restaurant scene for a town this size. Emily's is popular and relaxed, Left Bank Brasserie is a proper treat (book ahead for weekends), Don Luigi does solid Italian, and The Sparrowhawk is reliable for a post-walk lunch. There's also the NT café at the beach for coffee and cake after your walk.
Practical info
- →Book ahead for weekends — the good ones fill up
- →Village centre is about 10 minutes drive from the NT beach
- →Chapel Lane and the surrounding streets have most of the independent options
Cycle the Sefton Coast
The Trans Pennine Trail runs along the Sefton Coast and is cycle-friendly. You can ride between Southport and Formby without touching a main road — it's flat, largely traffic-free, and takes you through some genuinely pretty coastal scenery. Good for families with older children who can manage a few miles.
Practical info
- →Formby to Southport: approx 8 miles each way
- →Bring your own bikes or hire locally
- →The coastal path sections can be sandy — wide tyres better than skinny ones
Walk the Sefton Coastal Path
The Sefton Coastal Path runs from Waterloo (Liverpool) to Southport — Formby sits roughly in the middle. You can walk sections of it without doing the whole thing. The stretch between Formby and Ainsdale is particularly good. Flat, exposed, sea views the whole way.
Practical info
- →Park in Formby and walk north to Ainsdale or south to Hightown
- →Ainsdale has a station for a train back if you want a one-way walk
- →Wind-exposed in places — dress accordingly
Browse the village shops
Formby village has a decent run of independent shops along Chapel Lane and the surrounding streets. Not a shopping destination in itself but a pleasant browse after lunch. There are also a couple of good charity shops if you're a bargain hunter — worth a look.
Practical info
- →Most shops are along Chapel Lane and Three Tuns Lane
- →Parking in the village centre
- →Mostly independent — more interesting than a high street
Common questions
Is Formby worth visiting for a day trip?
Yes, easily. The National Trust site alone gives you the squirrels, the pinewoods and the beach — that's a solid half day. Add lunch in the village and you've got a full day without it feeling forced.
How far is Formby from Liverpool?
About 20–25 minutes by car via the A565. On the Merseyrail Northern Line from Liverpool Central it's about 30 minutes to Formby station.
Is Formby good for families with young kids?
Yes. The squirrel trail is flat and manageable, the beach is wide and safe (no lifeguard, but the beach itself is calm), and the walk through the pines is short enough to keep young children engaged. The NT café is on site. The one thing to manage is parking — book via the NT app first.
What's free at Formby?
The pinewoods and beach are free to walk in. Parking is charged (free for NT members, from £6 for non-members). The NT café has a small entry/access fee in peak season — check the NT website for current details.
Is Formby good for dogs?
Very. Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round, on the pinewood paths, and in the village. The only restriction is leads required in the red squirrel reserve section of the pinewoods (well-signed). Most of the village pubs and cafes are dog-friendly too.
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