Liverpool & Lancashire

Formby

A coastal nature haven for wildlife and people

National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH

Opening times
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An adult raising her hands in the air, surrounded by three children exploring the sand dunes at Formby, Liverpool

Opening times for 28 April 2025
Asset	Opening time
Beaches	Open all day
Lifeboat Road car park	09:00 - 16:00
Victoria Road beach car park	09:00 - 17:00
Countryside	Open all day
Lifeboat Road toilets	10:00 - 16:00
Victoria Road toilets	10:00 - 16:30
Victoria Road woodland car park	Open all day

Every time you scan your membership card or pay to park you're supporting vital conservation work at Formby's nature haven. Thank you.

Free admission to members on production of a valid membership card. Blue badge holders also park for free.

Tickets are not transferable between car parks.

Payment is via pay and display machines using coins only.

Please download the 'paybyphone' app for contactless payment and follow the instructions printed on the machine. For help with paying please pop and see the welcome team.

Head to Lifeboat Road for horse box, horse trailer, mini bus or coach parking. These type of vehicles cannot be parked at Victoria Road.

Please note we are unable to offer parking for coaches or mini buses at weekends or bank holidays.

All group visits to Formby must be booked in advance, this includes schools, all groups that require minibus or coach bookings and groups that plan to walk on to the site. For more information visit the Group Bookings page and email your request to formby@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Lifeboat Road car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Car £8.50
Lifeboat Road coach parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Coach £75.00
Lifeboat Road horsebox parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Horse box £20.00
Lifeboat Road mini bus parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Mini bus £20.00
Victoria Road car parking
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid
Car £8.50
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Accessible toilet and mobility car park spaces, at Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road. Accessible paths in some woodlands and throughout the asparagus trail. Beach access via hardstanding and boardwalk from Lifeboat Road car park. At Victoria Road the beach can only be accessed over the sand dunes via a steep, sandy path. Free parking and designated spaces near paths for Blue Badge holders. For more information please download the access guide below. This guide aims to provide clear, useful information to help people know more about what to expect when travelling to and exploring National Trust Formby, particularly for those with additional needs.
Formby accessibility Guide September 2024 (standard print size)
View more information on accessibility at Formby here - AccessAble.co.uk
Accessible toilet
Steps/uneven terrain
Map
Directions via Google Maps
By road
Victoria Road - 2 miles off A565. Follow brown signs with National Trust logo “Formby Point” from roundabout at north end of Formby bypass by the BP petrol station. Advance notice: Victoria Road car park and toilets will be closed for a major conservation project from May 2025 to spring 2026. Lifeboat Road – 2 miles of A565. Follow brown signs with beach logo “Lifeboat Road” from roundabout at south end of Formby bypass.
Parking: Width restriction: 3 metres. Lifeboat Road car park height restriction: 2.3m. Please note entrance gate is locked outside of opening times (exit anytime via flow plates). Download the PayByPhone app from paybyphone.co.uk for a simple, contactless payment. Coins only in the machines. Parking restrictions and fines in place on residential roads. Thank you for parking responsibly. Every time you pay to park or scan your membership card you’re helping to protect Formby’s precious wildlife.
Sat Nav: Victoria Road car park entrance at grid reference SD281082: use postcode L37 1LJ. Lifeboat Road car park entrance at grid reference SD275065: use postcode L37 2EB.
On foot
Sefton Coastal Footpath
By train
Freshfield station: 1 mile from Victoria Road entrance Formby station: 1.2 miles from Lifeboat Road entrance Click here to find train times
Cycling
NCN62, 3 miles. Thank you for helping to protect the precious landscape at Formby by keeping to designated cycle paths, tarmacked roads or beach. Cycle racks are available next to the toilets at Lifeboat Road car park. There are plenty of cycle routes and paths in the local area. Bike hire is available at both the Eco Visitor Centre and Southport Train Station. You can take your bike for free, without pre-booking, on the Merseyrail network. Entry is free for visitors arriving on foot or by bike.
Cycling - more information
Lifeboat Road car park address
Lifeboat Road, near Formby, Liverpool L37 2EB
National Trust Formby Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH
01704878591
formby@nationaltrust.org.uk

Lifeboat Road car parking
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Car		£8.50

Lifeboat Road coach parking
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Coach		£75.00

Lifeboat Road horsebox parking
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Horse box		£20.00

Lifeboat Road mini bus parking
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Mini bus		£20.00

Victoria Road car parking
Ticket type	With Gift Aid	Without Gift Aid
Car		£8.50

Sign at Victoria road to highlight beach car park closure

News

Formby beach car park closed for major conservation project

Formby beach car park closed 1 May 2025 to spring 2026 for a major conservation project. Please avoid travelling to us by car on busy, sunny days. Find out more about the work involved in this project and impact on your plans to visit.

Project

Major conservation project in progress. Find out what's involved and get answers to frequently asked questions.

Thank you for your support and understanding whilst we enhance this special space for people and wildlife.

Article

School and group visits to Formby

Pre-booking is essential when visiting Formby as a school or group; discover everything you need to know about how to book a group visit, where to park and about education group memberships.

Two women riding their horses on the beach with sea and waves in the background

Activity

Horse riding at Formby

Horses are welcome at Formby. Find out all your need to know about riding your horse on the beach or through the woodlands.

PDF

Formby map and facilities

Take a look at the map of National Trust Formby to help plan your visit

Two people sitting in a field surrounded by spring flowers on the clifftop at The White Cliffs of Dover, Kent

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