Ainsdale Beach

  • Ainsdale Beach - Merseyside
    © Humphrey Bolton and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Ainsdale Beach - Merseyside
    © Mike Pennington and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Ainsdale Beach - Merseyside
    © Gary Rogers and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Ainsdale Beach - Merseyside
    © Peter McDermott and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Ainsdale Beach - Merseyside
    © Steve Daniels and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Ainsdale Beach - Merseyside
    © 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

    Nearest town

    Southport

    Postcode

    PR8 2QB

    OS grid ref.

    SD 2974 1298

    Water quality

    Water quality star rating

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    Ainsdale Beach Reviews

    Relaxing walks with Cairn Terriers

    P Lever
    Sep 10th 2020

    Ainsdale 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 2020

    We’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 2023

    Lovely 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 2022

    Beautiful 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 2022

    Ainsdale 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.

    May 03rd 2020

    Nappies left on the road, loose dogs and dog mess, litter everywhere, cars blocking the pavement..