Bushbys Park

Alright, so you're heading to Formby beach, yeah? Listen up: skip the National Trust car park unless you fancy queuing for an hour. Bushbys Park is your shout. It’s free, which is always a win, right? You’ll find it on Lifeboat Road, postcode L37 2EB.

It’s basically a big field, properly rough and ready, not some fancy tarmac job. But hey, it's free! It can get a bit boggy if it's been raining, so decent shoes are advised, especially if you've got little 'uns. Gets pretty full on sunny weekends, mind, so aim to get there before lunchtime if you want a space.

It's a good 15-minute walk to the beach from Bushbys, a bit further than the NT one, but honestly, the queue you'll save makes it worthwhile. Plus, you can grab an ice cream from the van that usually parks up nearby.

Just remember it's a field, not a proper car park. So, no toilets or anything like that. And watch out for the odd rogue rabbit hole!