Southport beach is famous. It's also one of the flattest, sandiest beaches in England — which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you're looking for. I'll give you the honest picture on Southport's beach and the alternatives nearby, so you can make your own call.
Southport main beach — the honest review
The beach at Southport stretches for miles and the sand is genuinely good. The catch is that the sea is far out — very far out at low tide. On a summer day, you might walk ten minutes to reach the water. On a spring tide, you might walk twenty. This surprises a lot of first-time visitors.
That said, the beach is great for families with children who just want to run about, build sandcastles, and watch dogs terrorise seagulls. The pier area gives you the best of it — attractions, cafés, and enough activity to keep everyone interested.
Ainsdale — where locals actually go
Ainsdale beach is 10 minutes south of Southport by car. It's a bit wilder, a bit more natural, and a bit less developed. The dunes at Ainsdale are part of a nature reserve. The parking is easier. On a sunny weekend, this is where you'll find locals who know better than to compete with the tourist crowds at Southport's main beach.
Formby — squirrels, dunes, and the National Trust
Formby is 20 minutes south and it's genuinely special. The beach here is backed by massive sand dunes, pine woods, and the Formby Squirrel Reserve where you can see red squirrels — properly wild, not in cages. The National Trust manages it well. Parking fills up fast in summer; get there early.
Crosby — the iron men
Anthony Gormley's 'Another Place' at Crosby Beach is one of the most unusual and affecting public art installations in the country. One hundred cast iron figures, all based on Gormley's own body, looking out to sea. They've been there since 2005 and locals have stopped noticing them, which is a shame. If you haven't seen them, it's a 30-minute drive and absolutely worth it.
🌊Always check tide times at Southport beach before you visit. The tide goes out extremely far — and it comes back in faster than people expect. Especially worth knowing if you're walking toward the water with kids.
The quick answer
Southport for atmosphere and facilities. Ainsdale for a quieter, more natural experience. Formby for dunes, woods, and red squirrels. Crosby for Gormley's iron men. You could do all four in a weekend and you'd have done something genuinely worthwhile.
The beaches are just the start. Our full guide covers everything worth doing across Southport — golf, nature, culture, family days out, and the 2026 events calendar.
Things to Do in Southport — Complete Guide →Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
