Ainsdale Beach

Ainsdale-on-Sea is the southern end of Southport, and it is one of three Sefton beaches, with Formby and Southport, where RNLI lifeguards patrol a swimming area in summer. In 2026 they were on duty daily from 28 March to 12 September, and the red and yellow flags mean what they say. Crosby has lifeguards all year but is not a bathing beach, so the safest advice there is to stay well back from the water. Here, in season, you can actually let them swim.

You drive onto the sand and park there, which children find thrilling and parents find mildly stressful. It costs £10 for the day between 1 April and 30 September, or £40 for a Sefton resident season ticket, £80 if you are not local. Blue Badge holders go free. The car park closes without much warning for tides, weather or events, so have a plan B.

The toilet block has been refurbished and is genuinely decent: baby change, an outside shower for sandy legs, a drinking water station and a Changing Places facility that stays open through the winter when the rest shuts.

Behind the beach the dunes run for miles and are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is the sort of designation that also means excellent running about. Dogs are excluded from two zones either side of the main entrance from May to September.

What it costs: Beach access is free. Car parking on the beach is £10 all day, cashless preferred, between 1 April and 30 September. Season tickets £40 for Sefton residents and for hybrid or electric drivers, £80 for non residents. Blue Badge holders park free.

Seasonal: Car park and toilets 1 April to 30 September. Check before travelling.

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