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Formby - Beach, Woods and Coast Walk

2.5 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore the beaches, sand dunes and woodland in this beautiful nature reserve in Formby. The area is famous for its wildlife with the Natterjack Toad and the Red Squirrel the major highlights.
The area is run by the National Trust so you will find a series of well laid out footpaths and waymarked trails. There is a squirrel trail through the lovely pine woodlands where you can look out for the growing population of red squirrels. There's also an asparagus trail where you can learn about Formby's asparagus heritage. This trail passes through farmland with Hebridean and Herdwick sheep.
If you'd like to continue your walking in the area then you could pick up the Sefton Coastal Footpath which runs past the site.

Postcode

L37 1LJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Formby Beach OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Formby Beach Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Pinewoods pub is located just to the east of the woods. They do good food and have a decent selection of ales. You can find them at Wicks Green with a postcode of L37 1PR for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The woodland and beach are ideal for dog walking so you're bound to bump into other owners on your visit. There are water bowls near the toilets and in the parking areas at Victoria Road. The Pinewoods pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Follow the Sefton Coastal footpath north and it will take you to the Ainsdale National Nature Reserve where there's more woodland and dunes to explore. You'll also pass the Royal Birkdale Golf Club before coming to the popular town of Southport.
If you head south you can visit Crosby and see the fascinating Another Place Sculptures on Crosby Beach. The Anthony Gormley piece was created in 1997, and consists of 100 cast iron figures facing towards the sea.
To the east you can pick up the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and enjoy a walk around Maghull to the Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Merseyside Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Formby beach - geograph.org.uk - 327762

Formby beach. High spring tide lapping the dunes.

Formby with shale deposits - geograph.org.uk - 255470

Formby with shale deposits

Pinewoods in Formby. - geograph.org.uk - 1204758

Pinewoods in Formby. Asy you make your way around the site look out and listen for the Natterjack toad. Formby is one of a few sites in England where they will breed. If you are here on a spring evening listen for the male's distinctive song known locally as the 'Bootle Organ'. At these times the males gather at the edge of shallow pools in the dune slacks and sing to attract a mate. 

Formby - Formby Hills

Pine trees on the dunes. This group of pine trees are the closest to the sea, are exposed to the wind.

Foredunes at Formby - geograph.org.uk - 205138

Foredunes at Formby. View northwest across the foredunes from the southern edge of the square on a scorching hot July day.

Walking to the beach, Formby - geograph.org.uk - 420392

Walking to the beach. The walkers are near the edge of the dunes, which here is at the high tide mark. This photo is taken at low tide with the sea 400 metres down the beach. The track leads from the large National Trust car park to the beach.

Sand Dunes, Formby - geograph.org.uk - 89211

Coastal sand dunes at Formby Point. View North West to Irish Sea.

Red squirrel feeding, Formby nature reserve - geograph.org.uk - 376405

Red squirrel feeding, Formby nature reserve

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Formby Beach.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Formby Beach.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)