What's happening at Formby beach?

Is Formby beach open? Well yes, but still a little bit no.

And if that seems a strange answer, let us explain – particularly as we head into a half term holiday where a trip to the seaside will be planned for many families.

There has been major conservation work taking place at the National Trust operated area for almost a year.

In May 2025 the massive project culminated in the popular Victoria Road entrance and car park closing to the public, both in cars and on foot.

Behind the gates, the keep out signs and a line of Portacabins, a massive change has been taking place.

Trees have been felled; new paths have been laid and most significantly the old car park has been replaced by a new one, situated what was once a large woodland area.

The old car park is unrecognisable, the potholes are gone, the fencing removed and it is now a large sandy area leading up to the dunes.

When you cross those sand dunes, the beach is transformed too. Gone is the rubble that lined the shoreline, the relics of the old Harrington barracks.

The barracks were demolished post-World War II and the bricks were used to create a new car park, along with concrete and metal. However, rapid coastal erosion and the slowly crumbling sand dunes exposed the rubble, causing a dangerous eye sore.

Tonnes of rubble have been taken away, and heavy machinery is still in place on the beach continuing the operation, which the National Trust hope will be completed this spring.

The project is being carried out in collaboration with Dynamic Dunescapes, a £10m conservation initiative focused on restoring sand dune ecosystems across the UK, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and the EU LIFE Programme.

It has resulted in very restricted access to the beach for cars, and foot visitors for ten months. But the end is now in sight.

However, this half term don’t be tempted to drive to the Freshfield part of the beach as the car park is not open yet, and the roads around the area offer very limited options for parking.

In a Facebook post last week, The National Trust said: “The new car park will remain closed until work is complete and the gates at the entrance are closed to stop cars from entering the site.

“For your own safety we recommend keeping your distance from the work site area. Keep dogs on a lead if wandering close to the work site area. Please give the dune restoration area time to heal by using less sensitive area of the site.”

Elsewhere, as well as the major work on the car park, the picnic area near the Victoria Road entrance has also had a bit of a facelift.

The old wooden boardwalk has been replaced, and a new compacted stone footpath has been installed. There is also a new fenced off area for families to enjoy.

While the work has been carried out at this part of the site, the car park at Formby’s Lifeboat Road has remained open. There are also toiled facilities there.

Of course, if you really want to visit the other end of Formby beach then take the train to Freshfield.

When you get off, go the side of the track next to the main car park and follow Fisherman’s Path, use the public footpath to cut over the level crossing and golf course and make your way to the beach.

It’s a quieter area and a lovely walk, just take good care crossing the railway line and watch out for flying golf balls.

The National Trust expect the Victoria Road entrance and car park to open in spring but no precise date has been given yet.