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Sefton's Natural Coast

The sand dunes, beaches and marshes on Sefton Natural Coast are one of the most important areas for nature conservation in Europe. The Sefton Coast is also an important visitor destination with popular bathing beaches and open countryside.

The Sefton Coast is the perfect setting for those who want to get away from it all and explore. And with 21 miles of beach, sand dunes, woodland and farmland, the area is a haven for flora and fauna. It is an area of open space and tranquility close to the urban centres of Liverpool, Formby, and Southport, and easily reached by car or public transport.

A spectacular new sculpture by Angel of the North artist Antony Gormley is on view on Crosby beach. Another Place consists of 100 cast-iron, life-size figures spread out along three kilometres of the foreshore, stretching almost one kilometre out to sea.

Each year thousand of people visit Sefton's coast and countryside sites, whether for a family day out or a quiet walk through the countryside.

Nature and Wildlife

The area is internationally important for its rare dune habitats and species, including reptiles and amphibians such as the Sand Lizard and Natterjack Toad.

The extensive coastal pinewoods support a thriving population of Red Squirrels. It is also one of Europe's major birdwatching locations and to date more than 300 different bird species have been recorded. The RSPB's Marshside Nature Reserve is one of the most important places in the country for wintering wildfowl and Martin Mere Wildlife and Wetlands Trust is the largest international wetland conservation charity in the UK.

Activities

The Sefton Coast has much to offer from, walking and bird-watching to cycling, horse riding and para-karting.

A network of footpaths, bridleways and cycle trails weave their way through the woodlands and into the dunes making the coast a very accessible place to visit. Some of the walks combine walking with finding out about the surrounding environment, making them both educational and enjoyable.

There are several cycle trails in and around Sefton the most notable of these being the Trans-Pennine Trail which starts and ends at Southport and stretches across the country to Hull and Hornsea on the East Coast.

Beaches

The Sefton Coast has been very successful having the quality of its beaches recognised. Lifeboat Road, Ainsdale and Southport have both been awarded the ENCAMS Seaside Award for 2005. Beaches at Ainsdale and Southport are designated as bathing beaches and Ainsdale Berach has just received the Blue Flag Award for 2006.

Education

Sefton Coast and Countryside Service sites offer excellent opportunities for educational activities with many schools and universities visiting the coast for a variety of reasons.

For more information on Sefton's Natural Coast please visit the Sefton's Natural Coast website