Ainsdale Beach
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© Humphrey Bolton and licensed for reuse under this Licence -
© Mike Pennington and licensed for reuse under this Licence -
© Gary Rogers and licensed for reuse under this Licence -
© Peter McDermott and licensed for reuse under this Licence -
© Steve Daniels and licensed for reuse under this Licence -
© Humphrey Bolton and licensed for reuse under this Licence
Located between Southport and Formby, Ainsdale beach forms a part of this long wide sandy stretch. Generally regarded as the best beach in the area Ainsdale is the only beach in the North West of England to have ever been awarded a Blue Flag. These days the beach holds a Quality Coast Award which ensures clean water and plenty of facilities.
Ainsdale Beach is a bit of a haven for extreme kite-based activities. The beach itself has zones set aside for kite buggy and landboard use whilst kitesurfing takes place in the sea.
The beach here is backed by the same sand dunes that run along this section of the Sefton coast. Together they form one of the largest areas of wild dune land left in Britain. The Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Local Nature Reserve covers 988 hectares of open dunes and beach and is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna
Type of beach
Sandy
Lifeguard service
Yes
Dogs friendly beach?
Dogs allowed
Dogs are allowed on much of the beach but there is a dog free zone for 200m either side of the beach entrance at Shore Road.
Merseyside dog friendly beaches »
Activities
- Donkey rides
- Kite surfing
- Wind surfing
Facilities
- Cafe/restaurant
- Toilets
- Disabled facilities
- First aid point
- Lost child centre
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Ainsdale Beach Reviews
Relaxing walks with Cairn Terriers
P Lever
Sep 10th 2020Ainsdale beach is just great for everyone. We recently visited with our cairn terriers and grandchildren. The weather was gorgeous and the beach was lovely and clean. Lifeguards are situated here so it is much safer here. We flew our kites and had a marvellous time which costs no money!!!
Lovely clean beach
Lydia Fernandez-Arias
Jun 24th 2020We’ve had lots of lovely days at this beach. Less busy than formby. Sand hills to explore. Plenty of sandy space to play football etc. Free car parking next to beach.
Dog owners not respecing dog ban
Anna
May 30th 2023Lovely beach. Great to come with kids and have a play in the sand, sea and have a picnic. Only bad thing I can say is that, some dog owners did not respect ban on dogs, which is just on part of the beach, not even on the whole beach. And there was nobody to fine those people so they learn.
Beach beach that feels like home
Angela Carruthers
Sep 02nd 2022Beautiful beach, and great staff that get to know you and care about it and the natural habitat.
I have been going to the beach since I was a child and love taking my dogs there, they are getting on in age and the beauty is I can park on the beach so they can walk then go back and snuggle in their beds and not overdo it. I love to chill and read it’s my oasis.
If you are a regular get a season parking pass it’s well worth it.
I'm local
Jason
Jun 26th 2022Ainsdale is a really beautiful beach, I walk it every morning. The key is when to visit. I personally wouldn’t bother with summer weekends or bank holidays (it can get really horrible). To enjoy it at its finest, visit midweek (any month) on an early morning hightide. Seriously, it can be spectacular! Just head south towards Freshfield, on the dunes path or beach.
Nappies left on the road, loose dogs and dog mess, litter everywhere, cars blocking the pavement..