Top 8 Best Beaches Near Liverpool (2026 Guide Locals Actually Use)

Liverpool’s fastest escape isn’t the motorway—it’s the Merseyrail. In 2026, a clean, wide beach is often less than half an hour away, cheaper than a pint, and easier than parking in town.

From wind-battered dunes to family-friendly sands, locals know exactly which stops deliver. Below is a practical, up-to-date rundown of the best beaches near Liverpool—and the smartest ways to reach them.

Best Beaches Near Liverpool in 2026

1. Crosby Beach (Another Place)

Crosby Beach isn’t just a beach. It’s an outdoor gallery stretched across three kilometres of coastline.

Here’s the part many visitors don’t realise: the famous iron statues aren’t decorative. They’re tidal markers. At high tide, some vanish completely.

That alone changes how you experience the place.

What makes it special: Antony Gormley’s Another Place installation—100 cast-iron figures facing the Irish Sea—permanently installed since 2007. Free, open 365 days a year.

Getting there: Merseyrail from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands & Crosby. Journey time: ~23 minutes. Adult Day Saver (off-peak): £4.80–£6.40 depending on zones.

Address: Mariners Road, Crosby, Liverpool L23 6SX

Local tip: Stay within 50 metres of the promenade. The sand beyond looks solid and isn’t.

2. Formby Beach

Formby looks like a postcard. It also hides one of the UK’s most important dune systems.

But here’s the 2026 reality most guides won’t tell you upfront: the main Victoria Road car park is closed until spring 2026 due to a National Trust conservation project.

That’s not a reason to skip it. It’s a reason to go by train.

Getting there: Merseyrail from Liverpool Central to Formby Station (~35 minutes). From there, walk or follow signed dune paths.

Why it’s worth it: Pine-backed dunes, wide sandy stretches, and rare prehistoric footprints that surface after storms—some over 7,000 years old.

Address: Victoria Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ

Official info: nationaltrust.org.uk/formby

3. New Brighton Beach

If Crosby is reflective, New Brighton is social.

Ten minutes by taxi from Liverpool city centre, this Wirral beach is backed by Marine Point—a modern promenade with cafés, restaurants, and murals.

Nearby landmarks: New Brighton Lighthouse, Perch Rock Fort, and the Warren Golf Club’s famously exposed coastal holes.

Address: Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral CH45 2JS

Best for: Easy access, food options, and sunset views across the Mersey.

4. Southport Beach

Southport is where Liverpool’s beaches go big.

This is one of the longest stretches of sand in the UK, paired with a Victorian pier and classic seaside infrastructure.

Getting there: Merseyrail to Southport (~55 minutes from Liverpool Central).

Why go: Space. Even on busy summer weekends, you can walk ten minutes and find calm.

Address: Promenade, Southport PR8 1RB

5. Ainsdale Beach

Ainsdale doesn’t compete for attention. It doesn’t need to.

It’s a magnet for kite surfers, dune walkers, and anyone who prefers wind and wildlife over ice creams.

Nearby: Ainsdale Discovery Centre and Sandhills Local Nature Reserve.

Best for: Open skies, strong coastal winds, and cycling routes.

Address: Shore Road, Ainsdale, Southport PR8 2PZ

6. Meols Beach

Meols isn’t polished. That’s the point.

Its mix of shingle, sand, and mudflats attracts horse riders, sand buggies, and long coastal walkers linking the North Wirral Coastal Park.

Good to know: Tides matter here. Check times before exploring.

Address: Meols Parade, Wirral CH47 4AD

7. West Kirby Beach

Small, busy, and surprisingly dramatic.

At low tide, West Kirby reveals a vast sandy expanse and views toward Hilbre Island. At high tide, it tightens into a social waterfront.

Important: Alcohol is confiscated if found on the beach. Eat and drink in town instead.

Address: South Parade, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 0QP

8. Moreton Beach

Moreton is the quiet counterpoint.

More shingle than sand, it’s a favourite for dog walkers, bird watchers, and couples who want space without crowds.

Best season: Winter, when migratory birds dominate the shoreline.

Address: Coast Road, Moreton, Wirral CH46 1QF

Here’s what most guides never say clearly: Liverpool’s beaches aren’t a single destination.

They’re a system.

Art, dunes, wildlife, wind sports, Victorian promenades—each beach does something different, and in 2026 they’re easier to reach than ever by train.

Once you see that, Liverpool stops being just a city break.

It becomes a coastline you return to.