Ainsdale Beach

Ainsdale Beach, eh? Right, so it's not quite as close to the town centre as Southport Beach, you'll need to head up towards Birkdale. But honestly, that's part of its charm. Out of 2,287 reviews, it still gets a 4.5 rating, so it's doing something right! Plus, it's open 24/7 so you can wander down whenever you fancy.

It's a proper bit of coastline, this. Good for families, plenty of space for the kids to run around. You've got the usual beachy stuff, building sandcastles and whatnot, but it's also popular with windsurfers and kite surfers, which is fun to watch even if you're not brave enough to try it yourself! Obviously, it's outdoors, so weather dependent, but good year-round if you wrap up warm. It's right next to Birkdale Golf Club too, if you're into that.

It's free to access the beach itself, which is always a bonus. Give Sefton Council a ring on 0345 140 0845 if you've got any specific questions.

Just a heads up: parking can get a bit busy during peak season, so best to get there early, especially on sunny weekends.