The Quiet Seaside Resorts of Merseyside
Merseyside has a few seaside resorts, popular as day trips or for nearby holidays. Due to being on the northwest coast, all these resorts face the Irish Sea, which is packed with wildlife from leatherback turtles who visit in summer to feed, along with dolphins, harbour porpoises and Atlantic grey seals.
The Irish Sea also has over 50 islands, Most are only for wildlife, although a few bigger islands you know of in the sea include the Isle of Man and the Isle of Anglesey (in North Wales, known for its puffins).
Out walking? Follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and other toxic plants/trees) and on leads during nesting season (and near barnyard friends and wild ponies).
At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
Southport (20 miles from Liverpool)
This is a nice town, with England’s second-longest pier (after Southend in Essex). The New England town of Southport in the USA is named after this town, due to English settlers (just 600 people with sandy beaches, lighthouses and white clapboard cottages – sounds lovely!
New Brighton (on the Wirral Pensinula)
This is known for its long beach, and has been popular for years, for people visiting from the city for a seaside break. You can spot the old lighthouse from the shore.
Crosby Beach (big skies, coastal walks)
This resort is just north of Liverpool, again with a long sandy beach and grassy dunes. The quiet streets house old churches and green parks. Crosby Beach is not for walking or swimming, due to quicksand.
Blundellsands (a quieter stretch of coast)
This is near Crosby, yet is more residential with leafy streets and a quiet beach. A good place for a gentle afternoon stroll.
Formby (pine woods and sand dunes)
Formby is a small town with sandy beaches, and local pine woods that are home to red squirrels (providing natural habitats is the way help this endangered species, not culling greys).
