Ahead of a busy Bank Holiday weekend, Sefton Council is encouraging people to think ahead and respect their surroundings if they plan to visit the coast. 

While the forecast does not suggest that we’ll see the hot and sunny weather present in recent months, it could still be busy on the Sefton Coast. 

Visitors will be able to find lots of handy information for planning their Sefton Coast journey by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/beach-trip. 

Here are some key messages at a glance: 

• With the Bank Holiday, school holidays and Southport Air Show, expect the Sefton Coast, its car parks and the nearby roads to be very busy 

• Consider the train or bus to avoid traffic 

• Visit in the afternoon as the tide will be going out, not in 

• Check the forecast and plan accordingly 

• Be careful if lifeguards say it’s safe to swim – and don’t swim at Crosby Beach 

• Anti-social behaviour, barbecues, fires and alcohol aren’t welcome on the Sefton Coast 

• Please respect everyone living on the Sefton Coast – including the nearby residents and the local wildlife 

Things to consider 

This year, the final Bank Holiday of the year coincides with the school holidays, as well as the ever-popular Southport Air Show. 

Traffic is likely to be heavy but can be avoided by taking the train or bus. Visitors can plan their journey through the Merseytravel website. 

Cycling and walking are also good options for those who are able to. 

For those driving, Ainsdale Beach car park offers plenty of parking, while there is plenty of choice in the vicinity of Crosby Beach. 

Parking is £10 for the day on Ainsdale Beach. For more information about car parks operated by Sefton Council and their prices, head to our 'Find Parking' site.

The National Trust operates two car parks, but both fill up very quickly on busy days. Follow National Trust Formby on social media for updates on the parking situation. 

Parking enforcement officers will be on patrol across the Bank Holiday weekend. Illegal or dangerous parking will not be tolerated. 

Whichever way people choose to get to Sefton’s beautiful coast, it is vital that they respect residents and ensure they have plenty of access to their streets and homes. 

It is vital that emergency services have access to both the beach and residential streets, so if safe and legal parking isn’t available, please find somewhere else to go. 

Due to the Southport Air Show, anyone coming to the coast from or through the Southport area should bear in mind that roads could be especially busy. It will also be useful to check our road closures page when planning their route. 

Mind the tide 

Visitors to the Sefton coast over the Bank Holiday weekend should be aware that spring tides are expected, bringing larger tidal ranges and rapidly changing conditions. 

Less sand may be exposed on some beaches than people are used to seeing, and the tide may come in more quickly than expected. Before heading to the coast, check local tide times, plan ahead and take extra care to avoid being cut off by the incoming tide. 

An advancing tide can cut off routes back to the shore, so the best bet for a walk is later in the afternoon when the tide is going out. Learn more at www.hmcoastguard.uk/coast-clever. 

Safety tips for visitors 

There are two things to check before travelling that will make a big difference to a Sefton Coast trip: 

1. The weather forecast. Beaches don’t offer any shelter, so plan with the forecast in mind and remember that the weather can change quickly! 

1. The tidal forecast. If the plan is to be anywhere near the water, it’s vital to stay ahead of the tide. 

Anyone swimming needs to first check the flags on the beach. Swim between red and yellow flags, but do not swim if solid red flags are put out by RNLI lifeguards. 

Please remember that Crosby is a non-bathing beach – do not enter the water at any time and stay within 50m of the promenade sea wall. 

If swimming, remember the risks. People must enter the water slowly and carefully to avoid cold water shock and ensure that the level of water matches their swimming ability. The sea has strong currents, and the safest option generally is to stay at a wading depth.  

Anyone in trouble should use the RNLI’s ‘Float To Live’ guidance. More water safety information is available on our Water Safety information page.

It’s important to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard, not a different emergency service, if there’s an incident in the water. This will help the Coastguard reach the incident as quickly as possible. 

Enjoying the coast respectfully 

The following guidance must be followed to help everyone enjoy the coast: 

• Barbecues and open fires aren’t allowed under any circumstances. Recent wildfires across the country, including at Formby, have offered a reminder of how easy it can be to cause serious damage. 

• Don’t bring alcohol to the beach. Alcohol and drugs are a danger to those using them and others, especially around open water. Visitors are more than welcome to bring along picnics and non-alcoholic drinks. 

• People with rubbish should find a bin or take it home. If you’re able to bring it to the beach, you’re able to take it back! We’ve recently added 11 large bins to join the many bins available on or near the beach – visitors can find the new bins’ exact locations on our Crosby Beach page. 

• Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated and there will be a police presence at locations across Sefton. Please report anti-social behaviour to Merseyside Police by calling 101. 

If bringing a dog to the coast, please remember that usual dog restriction zones are in place at Ainsdale Beach and Southport Beach. Keep an eye out for the signs. Please keep the dog clear of pools to help the wildlife living there and give feeding or resting birds lots of space. 

Further information on what you need to have a safe and enjoyable trip with a pet is available on the Sefton Council website. 

Sefton Council thanks all visitors in advance for remembering to respect and protect the Sefton Coast.