Formby Pinewoods National Trust

The Formby Pinewoods is a popular spot for both holidaymakers and wildlife watchers. Located on Sefton’s beautiful coastline, the Pinewoods and beachfront not only provide the ideal natural habitat to many endangered species it is also easy on the eye whether it is a warm summers evening or a crisp winters morning.

The National Trust site attracts large numbers of red squirrels. This is because the conifers provide which provide ripe pine cones for the squirrels to feed on. The Squirrels are use to human contact and will come closer to you than most wild animals so a camera is defiantly recommended for the trip.

Just a short walk from the Pinewoods you will find the beautiful dunes. The dunes form part of the largest areas of dune habitats in the country which are home to many rare and endangered species such as the Natter jack Toad, the Northern Dune Tiger Beetle and one of the UK’s rarest reptiles the Sand Lizard.

We do strongly suggest you contact Formby Nature Reserve before you set off on your family day out, just to make sure they are open and to confirm admission prices. We also recommend picking up a map of the various footpaths from the wadens office or from the Sunnyside reception before you set off (if they are available).

For more information please visiti the National Trust website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby

Travel Choices and Their Impact on Your Carbon Footprint

Here’s the table comparing the carbon footprints, grades, and travel times for a return journey from Sunnyside Guest House (PR9 0DP) to Formby Pine Woods (L37 1LJ):

Mode of Transport	Carbon Footprint (Round Trip) kg CO2	Grade	Travel Time (One Way)
Bicycle	0	A+	50-60 minutes
Train	1.38	A	31 minutes (including walking)
Electric Car	1.89	B	20 minutes
Bus	3.51	C	55 minutes
Car (Petrol)	5.78	E	20 minutes

Transport Links / Additional Information

Cycle Paths: There are cycle paths along some sections of the route, particularly near Formby and around the Pine Woods area. The route is mostly on-road with some designated cycling lanes and quieter roads.

Train: Merseyrail Northern Line from Southport to Freshfield Station. The service is direct and runs every 15 minutes from Southport train station on a normal service. Merseyrail Timetable avaiable here.

Roads: Via A565, a major road connecting Southport to Formby. The route is straightforward with clear signage.

Bus: Arriva Bus Service 44 or 47 from Southport, Eastbank Street to Formby. Click on the links for bus timetables.

Accessability Information

Formby Pine Woods General: National Trust Accessability Guide for Formby Please note all the information provided in the accesability guide was collected during summer 2023. If visiting during the winter months the tarain will be more challenging as mud and standing water are more likely. Accessible toilets are available at Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road.

If you would like to head over to the beach at Formby you can borrow one of the National Trusts sand wheelchairs. Find out more about borrowing a sand wheelchair here.

Car: The National Trust have disabled car park spaces at Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road. Please note during the summer months the car parks fill up very quick.

Cycle Paths: There are cycle paths along some sections of the route. The cycle paths are fairly flat and stright to gain access to the start of the pine woods. Once inside the woods the tarain can be difficult, especially during the winter months.

Train: Step free access is available from both Southport and Freshfield train stations. They also both hace accessible toilets. Full accessability details for Southport and Freshfield Stations. Merseyrail up to date accessability information Station Accessibility | Merseyrail

Bus: Arriva Accessability information. Please note most of the buses are easy access for more information, please call their Customer Service team on 0344 800 44 11 between 8am and 6pm Monday – Friday, and they will check if an easy access bus will be running on the journey you’re intending to catch.

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