Formby

Right, so you're heading to Formby beach and you're wondering about parking? Listen, it's free, which is always a bonus, isn't it? Especially with the price of everything these days. It's officially just called "Formby" on Google Maps, and the postcode to bung in the sat nav is L37 2EB. You'll find it right there in Formby, like it says on the tin.

Now, it gets BUSY. Especially on a sunny weekend or during school holidays. I'm talking 'circling like a hawk' busy. So, either get there early – and I mean EARLY – or be prepared to walk a bit from somewhere further out. People seem to rate it well, 4.6 stars out of 5 from 43 reviews, so folks are generally happy once they've actually parked.

It’s a car park, plain and simple, but it gives you easy access to the National Trust woodlands and, of course, the beach with those famous red squirrel walks. Take the family, take the dog, have a grand day out. You know the drill.

Just a heads-up: because it's free, there aren't any attendants, so make sure you park considerately. Nobody wants to come back to a scratched bumper, do they?