Ward Avenue

Okay, so you're heading to Formby beach and need to park? Ward Avenue's your best bet for free parking, which is always a win, right? It's right off Victoria Road, so pretty easy to find. The postcode's L37, if you're using sat nav.

Now, the catch: because it's free, it gets BUSY, especially on sunny weekends or school holidays. Seriously, you might be circling for a while. I usually try to get there before 11am if the weather's decent, otherwise, forget about it. It's just a short walk to the beach from here, maybe 10-15 minutes depending on which bit you're aiming for.

Don't expect any fancy facilities here – it's just a car park, plain and simple. But hey, free is free! And it beats paying a fortune at some of the other spots closer to the beach. Plus, you can grab an ice cream from one of the vans that sometimes park up nearby.

Just a heads-up: it's all on grass, so it can get a bit muddy if it's been raining. Wear decent shoes, especially if you've got kids. And maybe pack a bin bag for your rubbish – let's keep Formby tidy!