The Best Beaches in the North West of England

Bordering the Irish Sea and spanning three counties, these beaches in the North West make for excellent places to get away from the hustle and bustle!

So, whether you’re looking for somewhere peaceful and quiet to walk your dog or spend an afternoon lounging in the sunshine, you’ve come to the right place with this guide to the best beaches in the North West!

Keep scrolling to uncover all the best beaches that North West England has to offer…

9 Brilliant Beaches in the North West of England

1. Formby Beach, Liverpool

Kicking off our list of the best beaches in the North West of England is Formby Beach! Found along the Sefton coastline just outside the city of Liverpool, Formby Beach is a wonderful coastal hotspot that’s renowned for its natural beauty and wildlife.

Owned and protected by the National Trust, this popular North West beach has long been a hotspot for both locals and holidaymakers staying at nearby Formby Point Caravan Park. Boasting around 500 acres of pristine sand dunes that lead onto the golden sands, it makes for a wonderful place to go for long seaside walks and is undoubtedly one of the best beaches near Liverpool.

If you’re bringing your four-legged friend along, you’ll be pleased to know that Formby Beach is dog-friendly all year round. While dogs are welcome in most parts of the beach, they do need to be kept on leads in the woodlands to help protect the red squirrel habitats found here.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Victoria Road National Trust Car Park, L37 1XU
Parking Charge: Pay & Display (Free for National Trust members)
Postcode: L37 2EB
Dog-Friendly: Yes (No restrictions)

2. New Brighton Beach, Wallasey

Found at the very tip of the Wirral Peninsula at the mouth of the River Mersey, New Brighton Beach is a popular beach for both Liverpudlians and those local to the Wirral and Cheshire.

Offering stunning views of Liverpool’s skyline to the east and the Irish Sea to the north, it’s easy to see why this North West beach is so popular.

As well as the fantastic beach itself, you’ll also find loads of great stuff to get up to on the pavilion, which includes the fantastic Adventureland play centre for kids, the Floral Pavilion Theatre and a host of cafés and restaurants to stop off at afterwards.

Not only that, but here you’ll also find the fantastic Fort Perch Rock, an impressive sea fort that houses The Mess; arguably one of the coolest beach bars in the UK!

Type: Sandy
Parking: Marine Point Car Park, CH45 2PA
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: CH45 2PA
Dog-Friendly: Yes, although dogs must be kept on a lead/under control

3. Blackpool Beach, Blackpool

Stretching along most of the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, Blackpool Beach is one of the UK’s most iconic seaside towns. With its bustling promenade that’s lined with bars, pubs, restaurants, arcades, entertainment venues and more, Blackpool’s fantastic beach has been drawing in visitors for well over 200 years and just had to feature on our list of the best beaches in the North West.

For those planning on bringing their dogs here, it’s important to note that the beach operates seasonal restrictions between the 1st of May and the 30th of September. During this time, dogs are not permitted on the main beach areas between North Pier and the Mirror Ball opposite the Solaris Centre.

However, outside these zones and during the off-peak months, dogs are more than welcome on Blackpool Beach. Facilities such as clean-up stations and water bowls are also made available in certain areas if needed!

After spending the days on the golden shores of Blackpool Beach, be sure to visit one of the best theme parks in the UK, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Here, you can ride the aptly named, world-famous Big One and family favourites like the Big Dipper and Blue Flyer.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Central Beach Car Park, FY1 6HX
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: FY1 1AP
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 1st May – 30th September

4. Crosby Beach, Liverpool

Situated just north of Liverpool, Crosby Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the region, not only because of its pristine conditions but also for the famous Antony Gormley statues known as “Another Place” that can be found gazing out to sea.

Aside from this beautiful North West beach, here you’ll also find the popular Crosby Coastal Park lining the coast, where you’ll find a large lake that’s used by the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre for thrilling watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. What better way to take in the views than from the water!

Another reason Crosby Beach is featured in our guide to the best beaches in the North West beach is that it has no seasonal restrictions on dogs, allowing you and your furry friends the freedom to explore and enjoy this wonderful beach without any worries.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Crosby Public Car Park, L23 6SX
Parking Charge: Free (No overnight parking)
Postcode: L23 6SX
Dog-Friendly: Yes (No seasonal restrictions)

5. St Annes Beach, Lytham St Annes

Bordering Blackpool Beach to the south is the lovely and lesser-known St Annes Beach, found in the lovely town of Lytham St Annes. If you’re looking for a slightly less crowded alternative to the neighbouring north west beach, then St Anne’s could be the perfect beach for you!

Home to the historic St Annes Pier that boasts well-preserved Victorian architecture, it’s where you’ll find a popular beach shop and café as well as a classic amusement arcade that’s great fun for visitors of all ages. The surrounding promenade is lined with well-maintained gardens that make for ideal places to go for a picnic, as well as a host of iconic beach huts that are available for daily hire.

Be sure to time your visit right to experience the breathtaking sunsets that have earned St Anne’s Beach its place on our list of must-visit North West beaches. Enjoy fish and chips by the sea as hues of orange and purple fill the sky; a truly unforgettable sight!

Type: Sandy
Parking: North Promenade Car Park, FY8 2LZ
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: FY8 2PQ
Dog-Friendly: Yes (except for the central section between the lifeboat station and pier, between Good Friday – 30th September)

6. Morecambe Beach, Morecambe

Another of our favourite beaches in the North West of England is Morecambe Beach, found on the Lancashire coast. Offering impeccable views of the nearby Lake District, we had to include this beach on our list!

Once home to an impressive Victorian tower that was dismantled for munitions during the First World War, the town still boasts much of its original seaside charm. Its impressive promenade features the iconic statue of Eric Morecambe, one of the town’s most celebrated residents.

The beach itself is known for its massive tidal range, which gives visitors the chance to enjoy miles of golden sands. These sands are perfect for long walks in the refreshing sea air and taking in the far-reaching views across Morecambe Bay to the Lakes.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Marine Road Car Park, LA4 5BX
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: LA4 5BX
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 1st May – 30th September

7. Fleetwood Beach, Fleetwood

On the far northern end of the Fylde Peninsula you’ll find the next entry on our guide to the best North West England beaches, Fleetwood Beach. This wonderful UK hidden gem offers beautiful views across Morecambe Bay and some of the Lake District’s most iconic fells.

Less visited than most of the other popular beaches found on the Fylde, it makes for a wonderful place to spend the day without having to navigate crowds of holidaymakers.

Aside from the beach itself, here you’ll also find a great outdoor play area for kids, the Marine Gardens Outdoor Play area, as well as a picturesque boating lake which is perfect for crabbing, kayaking and paddleboarding!

After a fun-filled day on this North West beach, be sure to refuel with classic fish and chips or ice cream by the sea! There’s no better way to end a day at the seaside.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Central Car Park, FY7 6QE
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: FY7 6QE
Dog-Friendly: Restrictions in place from 1st May – 30th September

8. Thurstaston Beach, Thurstaston

With far-reaching views of the hills of North Wales and some of North Wales’ best beaches, Thurstaston Beach is the penultimate entry on our list of the best beaches in the North West.

Situated just a short drive away from the charming city of Chester, Thurstaston Beach sits on the edge of the beautiful Wirral Country Park and makes for a lovely place to enjoy a relaxing stroll by the sea.

Despite being popular with visitors from the nearby caravan and motorhome park, Thurstaston is one of the lesser-visited beaches on the peninsula compared to New Brighton, making it a great place to get away from the crowds.

It’s also good to note that those of you looking for a dog-friendly beach in the UK, have found the perfect place. This North West beach is completely dog-friendly all year round, with no seasonal restrictions, unlike many others in the region.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Thurstaston Country Park Car Park, CH61 0HN
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Postcode: CH61 0HN
Dog-Friendly: Yes (no restrictions)

9. Haverigg Beach, Millom

Tucked away on the southern end of the Cumbrian Coast, you’ll find Haverigg Beach, which is located in the popular village of Haverigg near Millom, a hub for wildlife spotting.

Situated next to RSPB Hodbarrow, which is perhaps best known for its large population of wild birds during the winter, it makes for a great place to go birdwatching before heading down to one of the best beaches in Cumbria.

With a children’s playground, a block of public toilets and a free car park all right next to Haverigg Beach, there’s also a fantastic beach hut café just across the road where you can stop off for a drink and a bite to eat.

If you plan on bringing your dog with you, you’ll be pleased to know that there aren’t any seasonal restrictions in place here. However, it’s worth noting that dogs must be kept on a lead in-and-around the nature reserve.

Type: Sandy
Parking: Haverigg Car Park, LA18 4ES
Parking Charge: Free
Postcode: LA18 4ER
Dog-Friendly: Yes (Must be kept on lead around RSPB Hodbarrow)

For more fantastic places to spend the day, check out this guide covering the best beaches in England, or even this guide covering the best beaches in the UK! If you’re thinking about spending your next break by the seaside, then be sure to have a look at these beach cottages and these coastal cottages too.