Park Road

Alright, so you're heading to Formby Beach, yeah? Forget trying to park right by the National Trust entrance – it's a nightmare. Instead, head to Park Road. It's free, which is always a win, right? It's basically a big field they open up for parking, so don't expect fancy markings or anything.

It's on Park Road in Formby (Merseyside, mind you, not Lancashire!), and it's usually open during peak times, weekends, and school holidays. Even though it's a decent size, it still fills up fast, especially on sunny days. So, get there early if you want a spot. It's a bit of a walk to the beach from there, maybe 15-20 minutes depending on how fast you walk and which part of the beach you're aiming for.

The ground can be a bit uneven and muddy, especially if it's been raining. It's a field, after all! So, wear decent shoes. And don't leave valuables on show in your car, just common sense, like.

One last thing: they don't always open it up, so if the weather's rubbish or it's midweek in winter, you might be out of luck. Always worth having a back-up plan.