Southport beach is just a short stroll away from Barford house and is perfect for families, children can play safely while Mum and Dad watch on. Come the weekend the beach gets very busy, but you can rest assured the life guards are on hand at all times.
Ainsdale beach is another great spot for families as the beach has been awarded the international blue flag. There's miles of sand dunes for you to find your own personal spot to sunbathe. Great for kite surfing children and adults can get involved and have lots of fun. Since 1965 Ainsdale's dunes have been a nature reserve protecting a number of endangered Natterjack Toads.
Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve
This Natural England reserve is an attractive mix of open dunes and pine woods with many way marked paths. The dunes are home to interesting animals and insects including a distinctive race of sand lizards, the fearsome dune tiger beetle (2cm long) and up to 20% of the national population of nocturnal natterjack toads. Rare plants abound, and in June and July the reserve is a riot of colour from the mix of Seaside Centaury and Yellow Bartsia.
The reserve has no public car park and visitors are encouraged to arrive by public transport. There are 6 entrances to the reserve, at Pinfold Lane, Fisherman’s path, Freshfield, and at each end of the beach and frontal dune path. The nearest train stations are at Freshfield (1.36 km from reserve entrance) and Ainsdale (1.2km). The nearest bus stops are in Pinfold Lane and Gleneagles Drive, in Merseytravel Zone D1.
Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve(LNR) provides access to beautiful scenery, outstanding wildlife and one of Britain’s nicest beaches. The reserve along with the neighbouring Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve forms part of one of the most extensive dune systems in Great Britain. Access is along marked and informal footpaths that offer a variety of walks of different lengths throughout the Local Nature Reserve and links to Ainsdale National Nature Reserve.
The reserve was established in 1980 and covers 670 acres (268ha) of dunes. It is a typical sand dune system with high ridges and dune valleys containing slacks. Slacks are low hollows formed in wind-blow, often flooded during the winter, containing unusual plants and animals. Some provide breeding pools for Natterjack Toads. In summer, damp slacks are carpeted with flowers including Early-marsh Orchid, Marsh Helleborine and Grass of Parnassus. Round-leaved Winter-green and nationally rare Dune Helleborine are found in dry slacks.
Access is by train and bus. Parking is available at Ainsdale Beach, Weld Road and the Ainsdale Discovery Centre and there are numerous access
Marshside RSPB Reserve
The reserve is the most accessible site around the estuary for viewing the whole of the Ribble’s birds. The freshwater pools and grassland attract especially large numbers of pink-footed geese, wigeon, blacktailed godwits and golden plovers in winter and nesting lapwings, redshank and a range of wildfowl in spring. The saltmarsh is the place to see birds of prey and owls in winter, and high tides bring thousands of waders inshore.
There are two hides and three viewing screens. It is an excellent site to see hen harrier, merlin, peregrines and owls.
Car-parking is on Marine Drive next to the old sand-works. Buses stop on Marshside Road 100 metres from the reserve.
Formby Point offers the ultimate place to unwind, surrounded by miles of coast, pinewoods and sand dunes.
Another visitor favourite is The Queens Jubilee Nature Trail, facing Victoria Park in Southport. A small reserve which was restored by schools, volunteers and businesses for the Queens Jubilee. A great spot for bird enthusiasts.
Learn more about our enviroment and visit the Eco Centre.
