Freshfield Station Car Park

If you're nipping into Formby on the train, or heading to the National Trust reserve but arriving by rail, Freshfield Station Car Park is worth knowing about. It’s right there at Freshfield station, so dead easy to find. The big plus for me is that it's usually a bit quieter than the National Trust car parks down the road, especially on weekends when the squirrels are out in force.

It’s a small car park, mind you, so don’t bank on a space if you’re arriving mid-morning on a sunny Saturday. I’ve been caught out before! It’s got a decent Google rating of 4.2 stars from 25 reviews, which seems about right. It's not the Ritz, but it gets the job done.

The best thing about this car park? It's free! Can't argue with that, especially when you're already forking out for train tickets or a coffee in Formby village. Just bear in mind it can fill up quickly with commuters during the week.

If you're planning a trip, especially at peak times, it's always worth having a backup plan in case Freshfield Station Car Park is full. The National Trust ones are pay-and-display, but they're much bigger.