Formby Beach

This expansive stretch of golden sand backed by towering pine-covered dunes offers one of England's most pristine coastal experiences, where endangered red squirrels dart through the woodland and vast tidal flats reveal themselves at low tide, creating a wildlife haven that's perfect for long contemplative walks. The beach forms part of a National Trust nature reserve where asparagus grows wild in the dunes, Victorian footprints are occasionally revealed in the clay beneath the sand, and the dramatic interplay of forest, dune, and sea creates an almost otherworldly landscape that feels far removed from the nearby urban sprawl of Liverpool.