Coppice Leys

Right, so you're heading to Formby and need to ditch the motor? Coppice Leys is your shout. It’s a free car park down south of Formby, postcode L37 if you're sat-navving. It's pretty handy for getting to the National Trust Formby pinewoods and the beach, saves you a trek.

Now, being free, it does get rammed. Especially weekends and school holidays. Get there early doors if you want a space, like before 10am early. Otherwise, you'll be circling like a vulture. It's basically a field, so don't expect fancy markings or anything, but it’s flat enough, and it's free, so can't complain too much.

It's open all hours, obviously, being a car park. No height restrictions that I've ever noticed. It's not exactly a destination in itself, is it? But if you're after a day at Formby beach without forking out for parking, Coppice Leys does the job.

Just remember your wellies if it's been raining. That field gets boggy quicker than you can say "Merseyside mud."