FORMBY AND SOUTHPORT

BY RHYS THOMAS

INTRODUCTIONGLORIOUS BEACH WITH DRAMATIC SAND DUNES, SURROUNDED BY SWEEPING COASTAL PINEWOODS.

RED SQUIRRELS, NATTER JACKS, PREHISTORIC FOOTPRINTS AND MILES OF COASTAL WALKS ARE JUST WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED - PART OF FORMBY'S AMAZING AND EVER CHANGING LANDSCAPE. ENJOY BREATH-TAKING SEA VIEWS OR A PICNIC; HEAD OUT ON A BRACING COASTAL WALK OR FIND OUT ABOUT FORMBY'S FASCINATING COASTAL HISTORY WITH LINKS TO ASPARAGUS GROWING AND THE EARLY DAYS OF AVIATION. WHETHER YOU WANT TO WALK, RUN OR RIDE THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT FORMBY, THE PERFECT PLACE TO GET OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE.

MAPSIt is on the coast near to Blackpool so you might as well look at it while at Blackpool.

WHY WE GO THERE

IT HAS A VERY ATTRACTIVE BEACH WITH A BEAUTIFUL PINE LAND AROUND THE COAST AND IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU IT HAS A NICE FOREST WITH NATTERJACKERS AND RED SQUIRRELS WHICH ARE ENDANGERED.

WILDLIFE

• RED SQUIRRELS

• NATTER JACK TOADS

. BIRDS

WHY ARE THERE CHRISTMAS TREES THERE?

COASTAL PROTECTION

THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE. DUNE FENCES WILL NOT STOP EROSION, BUT THEY DO HELP THE DUNES TO BUILD UP AND RESTORE STABILITY WHICH IS GOOD FOR WILDLIFE AND GOOD FOR COASTAL PROTECTION. THE MOBILE DUNES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SEA DEFENCE AT FORMBY.

SOUTHPORT

AINSDALE BEACHAINSDALE BEACH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ON THE COAST AND HAS BEEN AWARDED A QUALITY COAST AWARD BY KEEP BRITAIN TIDY. IT IS THE ONLY BEACH IN THE NORTH WEST TO HAVE EVER BEEN AWARDED THE INTERNATIONAL BLUE FLAG (IN 2004 AND 2006). THE QCA AWARD TELLS VISITORS THAT THE STANDARDS OF BEACH MANAGEMENT ARE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN THE UK.

AINSDALE BEACH IS NOW RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE PREMIER BEACHES IN THE UK FOR EXTREME KITE ACTIVITIES, WITH ZONES SET ASIDE FOR KITE BUGGY AND LAND BOARD USE AND KITESURFING TAKING PLACE ON THE SEA. A PERMIT IS REQUIRED BEFORE YOU USE A POWER KITE IN THE KITE ZONE.

THE AINSDALE DISCOVERY CENTRE, SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE BEACH AND AINSDALE & BIRKDALE SAND HILLS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE, PROVIDES LOCAL INFORMATION, A CLASSROOM FACILITY, VENUE FOR EVENTS AND FREE CYCLE HIRE .

OPEN DURING THE SUMMER, YOU ARE WELCOME TO POP IN AND SEE THE SHELL COLLECTION AND FIND OUT WHAT WILDLIFE THERE IS TO SEE AND MAYBE HAVE A GO AT A FAMILY ACTIVITY.

THE BEACH AND NATURE RESERVE ARE POPULAR WITH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND PROVIDE A VENUE FOR A VARIETY OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

NEARBY AINSDALE VILLAGE OFFERS GOOD SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS. PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF BEACH SAFETY FLAGS AND SIGNAGE. CODES OF CONDUCT AVAILABLE. NO LIFEGUARD COVER.

AINSDALE BEACH IS MANAGED BY SEFTON COAST AND COUNTRYSIDE SERVICE.

FARMER TEDS

FARM PARK AIMING TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 0-12YRS, ALTHOUGH OLDER CHILDREN ARE WELCOME.

FACILITIES INCLUDE A LARGE FUN BARN FOR CHILDREN 0-12YRS. THERE ARE TWO SEPERATE AREAS, 0-4YRS AND 5-12YRS. THERE IS ALSO AN AREA SET ASIDE WITH SOFT FURNISHINGS SO PARENTS CAN RELAX OVER A COFFEE AND A NEWSPAPER OR PERHAPS ENJOY ONE OF FARMER TED'S OPEN SANDWICHES!

SOUTHPORT MAPWell known for its huge beach. Fun for all the family.

SOUTHPORT QUESTIONNAIRE• ARE YOU A TOURIST? YES.NO LIVE HERE

• DO YOU FIND SOUTHPORT ATTRACTIVE? YES. NO.

• DO YOU ENJOY COMING HERE? YES. NO.

• WOULD YOU COME HERE AGAIN? YES. NO.

• WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ATTRACTION? PLESURELAND. FARMER TEDS.

• DID YOU ENJOY THE BEACH? YES. NO.

• WHAT DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT TODAY? THE BEACH. THE AMUSEMENTS.