Formby BeachFormby Red Squirrel ReserveFreshfield Dune HeathLifeboat Road and Ravenmeols Sandhills LNR
Lifeboat Road is a 150 acre (60 ha) gateway site to The Mersey Forest, managed by Sefton Council through it's Leisure Service's, Coast and Countryside Service.
The site has a wide sandy beach, high dunes, furrowed grassland that were once asparagus fields, scrubby areas of deciduous trees and a belt of pinewoods.
Lifeboat Road is an ideal site for people of all ages. There is a large car park, picnic tables and waymarked paths to the beach, woodland and adjacent sites. The high dunes afford excellent views of Liverpool, the Wirral, North Wales and Blackpool. On clear days the fells of south Cumbria can be seen.
The site name "Lifeboat Road" is derived from its association with the first lifeboat station in Britain, this was built at Formby in 1776. The ruins of a later station, built on the original site in 1809, can still be seen on the beach today. In 2009 a new tide height post was added to the origional tide height marker post.
The pine trees were planted in the late nineteenth century to stabilise the dunes and shelter Formby from onshore winds. These woods are now home to one of the few thriving populations of Red Squirrels in Britain today. Management of existing woodlands and planting up of new areas will ensure the presence of trees in Sefton for the enjoyment of future generations.
Lifeboat Road is an important site for Natterjack Toads which inhabit the dunes. A nationally endangered species, protected by law. Natterjacks are distinguished from Common Toads by the yellow stripe down their back and yellow eyes.
The variety of bird-life at Lifeboat Road includes Stonechat, Linnet, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Sky Lark, while nearer the beach migrant wading birds such as Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Sanderling and Dunlin. Little Gull and seabirds are seen regularly in the right season. The different habitats on the dunes provide homes and food for insects, butterflies and moths.
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Every effort is made to make sure that all the information is correct but we strongly recommend that you call Lifeboat Road and Ravenmeols Sandhills LNR before you set off on your day out to confirm opening times and admission prices.
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