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.
Small village, genuinely full day out: the NT site alone is worth the drive from Liverpool or Manchester.
Add the village restaurants and a walk through the pines and you won't be stuck for things to do.
Nature · National TrustSee the red squirrels
Formby is one of the last reliable places in England to see red squirrels in the wild. Go early morning: September to February is peak season, but you've got a decent chance year-round. Even my teenagers stop complaining the minute they spot one.
- →Postcode: L37 1YH
- →Book parking via NT app before you leave
- →Go early morning for best sightings
- →Dogs welcome on leads
Beach · Sand dunesFormby 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 is genuinely great.
- →Same car park as the squirrel reserve (L37 1YH)
- →Dogs welcome year-round, no seasonal restrictions
- →No lifeguard: check tides before you go
- →Best at low to mid tide for walking
Walking · NatureWalk the pinewoods
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. Short woodland loop (30 mins) or all the way to the beach and back (1.5–2 hrs). Flat the whole way.
- →Starts from NT car park, Victoria Road
- →Flat terrain, manageable for most
- →Wellies recommended after rain
- →Continue to the beach for the full experience
Restaurants · CafesEat in the village
Formby 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.
- →Book ahead for weekends: the good ones fill up
- →Village centre: ~10 mins from NT beach
- →Chapel Lane has most of the independents
Cycling · OutdoorCycle the Sefton Coast
The Trans Pennine Trail runs along the coast and is cycle-friendly. Southport to Formby without touching a main road: flat, largely traffic-free, and genuinely pretty. Good for families with older children who can manage a few miles.
- →Formby to Southport: approx 8 miles each way
- →Coastal sections can be sandy: wide tyres better
Walking · CoastalWalk the Sefton Coastal Path
The Sefton Coastal Path runs from Waterloo (Liverpool) to Southport: Formby sits roughly in the middle. The stretch between Formby and Ainsdale is particularly good. Flat, exposed, sea views the whole way.
- →Park in Formby, walk north to Ainsdale or south to Hightown
- →Ainsdale has a station: good for a one-way walk
Shopping · IndependentBrowse the village shops
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 good charity shops too if you're a bargain hunter.
- →Chapel Lane and Three Tuns Lane
- →Parking in the village centre
Activities · OutdoorsHorse riding on the beach
Horses on Formby and Ainsdale beach are a proper sight: and you can join them. A couple of local stables offer beach and coastal rides, and the wide flat sands make it one of the better horse riding experiences on the north-west coast. You don't need previous experience for the shorter rides.
- →Book in advance: rides fill up quickly in summer
- →Ainsdale beach end is most commonly used
- →Suitable for beginners on guided rides
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. The NT café is on site. Book parking 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 fee in peak season: check the NT website.
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: it's well-signed. Most village pubs and cafes are dog-friendly too.
Do you need to book the NT car park?
Yes: and do it before you leave the house. There's no signal in the car park. Download the National Trust app, find Formby, and book ahead. It fills up fast on sunny weekends.
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