15 Beaches Near Manchester For A Perfect Seaside Day Out

Beaches Around Manchester

Beaches near Manchester include Thurstaston Beach, Crosby Beach, Formby Beach, Blackpool beach, Southport Beach & many more.

The city of Manchester is a great place to visit, especially owing to its rich heritage, and a past steeped in history, with amazing museums and even better nightlife. However, if you are someone who wishes to get away from the city and spend the day outdoors, there are numerous beaches near Manchester, located a few miles away from the city center, that you can head off to. With golden sands, cool waters of the sea, and a tranquil ambiance, these beaches are perfect for an escape from everyday monotony.

Some of the closest beaches around Manchester include the vibrant Blackpool Beach and the more tranquil Conwy Beach. You can also head over to Thurstaston Beach, surrounded by sandy cliffs and home to migratory birds, or Formby Beach, which is surrounded by pine forests and offers dramatic views of the dunes scattered here. Complete with Victorian seaside huts and resorts, age-old piers and arcades, as well as verdant flora and fauna, the many beaches around Manchester are sure to spoil you for choice.

Here are some of the best beaches near Manchester:

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01

Thurstaston Beach

Pay a visit to Thurstaston Beach, ranked as one of the most popular beaches near Manchester, and known as the first beach along the western coast of Wirral

Boasting a wide strip of fine golden sands, the beach is also tucked amidst clay cliffs, thereby exuding a rather mixed blend of coast and countryside ambiance

Quite popular during the warm summer months, Thurstaston Beach is also overlooked by the beautiful Wirral Country Park, and therefore, boasts of a vast array of wildlife

Some of the best things that you can do on this beach include taking walks, cycling, enjoying close-up encounters with animals or even sunbathing and swimming

Location: Wirral, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.

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02

Crosby Beach

The Crosby Beach, which serves as the setting of Antony Gormley’s Another Place sculpture, is amongst the best beaches around Manchester

With coastal mudflats and soft sands, this beach is perfect for kids to indulge in sandcastle-building

You can also find around 100 life-sized figures made of cast iron, scattered along the beach, all the way to the sea

Whilst you cannot swim here owing to dangerous currents, you can still enjoy taking a relaxing stroll along the coastal paths and soak in the views of the Wirral and North Wales seas

Location: Crosby Beach, Merseyside, UK, L23 6SX, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

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03

Formby Beach

Known as one of the best beaches near Manchester, Formby Beach is also a National Trust Nature Reserve, with forests that are the abode of sand dunes and many sandy hills

Spanning more than 8 miles, the beach offers some of the most spectacular views of the Irish Sea and is perfect to enjoy relaxing strolls near the coastlines

The pine forests that surround the beach are some of the last places in the world where you can see Red Squirrels in their natural habitat, along with other wildlife species like Natterjack Toads, and many different types of birds

With the sand dunes scattered around, lush forests around it, and the panoramic backdrop of the sea, Formby Beach also offers some of the most pristine photo opportunities

Location: Victoria Rd, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ, United Kingdom

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04

Blackpool beach

Known as the Golden Mile, with a history that dates back to the 19th century, Blackpool Beach is definitely at the top of some of the best beaches around Manchester

It is said to be the only seaside spot in the United Kingdom that has three piers and is a traditional British seaside resort, complete with arcades, tram, and donkey rides

With an old-fashioned seafront, and a theme park located nearby, the beach is also complete with many small and big hotels, beach shacks as well as restaurants selling the iconic fish and chips

It is also a great place to simply enjoy the day with your friends and family, build sandcastles, walk your dogs, or just sit back, relax and soak in the views around you

Location: Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5JA, United Kingdom

Entry Fee: £28 to £42

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05

Morecambe Beach

Located 5 miles west of Lancaster is Morecambe Beach, one of the most picturesque beaches around Manchester, and known for attractions like the bay sweep, the Stone Jetty, and more

With a promenade that overlooks several miles of the stunning coastline of the Irish Sea, the beach is also known as a top spot to enjoy different water sports, including parachuting, paragliding, sailing as well as windsurfing, to name a few

You can also find many cafes and restaurants here, where you can enjoy a delicious meal whilst overlooking the sea

Other attractions of the beach include the Happy Mount Park, complete with indoor as well as outdoor play areas, manicured gardens, and a habitat trail

Location: Morecambe LA4 4DB, United Kingdom

Entry Fee: £10 onwards

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06

Southport Beach

To get a taste of the tranquil beach life whilst also enjoying the modern-day comforts, head over to Southport Beach, among the top beaches near Manchester

Stretching across an expanse of more than 22 miles, this beach offers some of the most panoramic views of the sea

The beach is also one of the cleanest beaches in the entire United Kingdom and has been awarded the Quality Coast Award by Keep Britain Tidy

Some of the best things to do on this beach include making sandcastles, kite flying, even swimming in the crystal clear waters of the sea, or taking a walk on its pier, which is the second largest in the UK

Location: Merseyside, England, United Kingdom

Timings: 11:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

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07

New Brighton Beach

The New Brighton Beach, located near Wallasey, is a haven for photography enthusiasts and is known as one of the best beaches around Manchester

Offering stunning views of the Liverpool skyline, this stretch of soft golden sands has a lot to boast about, from areas for sunbathing and rocky areas for nature trails, to its very own Perch Rock Lighthouse, and a driftwood boat resembling a pirate ship

You can also find the Grade II listed Perch Rock Fort on the New Brighton Beach, or soak in some of the most panoramic views of the ships sailing far away in the Irish Sea

New Brighton Beach also has the longest promenade in all of the United Kingdom, which stretches out into the sea for almost 2 miles

Location: Kings Parade, New Brighton, Merseyside, CH45 3QW, England, United Kingdom

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08

Lytham St Annes Beach

Home to quaint beach huts that are scattered along the long stretches of golden sands here, the Lytham St. Annes Beach is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches near Manchester

It is also a popular Victorian seaside resort, which offers a wide array of experiences and facilities to visitors, from promenade gardens and a paddling pool for children, to a splash park as well as a plethora of beachfront shops

The quiet coastline, mixed with the decorative pier and the hustle and bustle of families, make Lytham St. Annes Beach great for a relaxing weekend getaway

You can also play a lot of arcade games or head to one of the cafes at the pier on this beach

Location: Promenade, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 1LW, England, United Kingdom

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09

Ainsdale Beach

Located in Southport, Ainsdale Beach is one of the prime adventure sports beaches near Manchester, known predominantly as a hotspot for kiting or kite surfing

This quaint sandy beach has many small and big sand dunes, in addition to the oldest iron pier in all of Britain

It also serves as a great place to enjoy swimming and sunbathing, in addition to exploring the nearby Natural England Nature Reserve, where you can spot a plethora of wildlife, such as newts, lizards, etc.

The Ainsdale Beach has also been awarded a Blue Flag status on numerous occasions and is said to be a beach with some of the cleanest waters in the area

Location: Ainsdale, Southport PR8, United Kingdom

Timings: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Entry Fee: £8 per person

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10

Rhyl Beach

If you are in search of beaches with a plethora of attractions and wide, open spaces, then Rhyl Beach is one of the best beaches near Manchester that you can head to

Doubling up as a busy seaside resort, this beach boasts many amenities, from shops and food kiosks to other attractions like a kids’ play park, a water park, the Sun Centre as well as the SeaQuarium

With miles of golden sandy stretches, this beach also lets you take a walk all the way to the seabed, especially when the tide is out

Some of the top things to do in Rhyl Beach are enjoying donkey rides, swimming, paddling, sea fishing, surfing as well as kitesurfing, etc.

Location: East Parade, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3YP, Wales, England, United Kingdom

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11

Prestatyn Beach

Located in North Wales, a few miles from Manchester is Prestatyn Beach, a wide stretch of sandy beach along the northernmost point of the country, and amongst the top beaches around Manchester

Popular amongst locals and tourists looking for a relaxing weekend getaway, the beach is also a hub of exciting water sports like sailing, surfing, and windsurfing due to its large tidal range, in addition to being a great spot for sunbathing or building sandcastles

Scattered with rock shingles, the beach also has a 4-mile long promenade that forms a part of the North Wales Coast Path

The beach is also the starting point of the Offa’s Dyke National Trail, which ends at Chepstow in the south

Location: Prestatyn LL19 7JD, United Kingdom

Timings: 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Entry Fee: £4.50 per person

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12

Conwy Beach

Located on the banks of the Conwy Bay is Conwy Beach, also known as the Conwy Morfa Beach, among the top beaches near Manchester

This large sandy beach is quite popular in the area and is also where a lot of locals come to fish for mussels

In addition to doubling up as a hotspot for fishing, the beach also boasts several other modern-day amenities, from a marina and golf course to shops, cafes as well as restaurants

Some of the best things to do on Conwy Beach include bird watching, sandcastle building, paddling, sunbathing, or simply soaking in the atmosphere

Location: Conwy Morfa Beach, Conwy, the town of Conwy, Conwy LL32 8GA, United Kingdom

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13

Leasowe Beach

Tucked in the heart of the North Wirral Coastal Park, a few miles away from Manchester, is Leasowe Beach, a wide sandy beach that is particularly known for its beautiful promenade and an array of small sand dunes

It is also home to the Leasowe Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse made of bricks in the whole country

Popular amongst surfers and windsurfing enthusiasts, Leasowe Beach also has calm waters, which are great for swimming, or exploring during the low tides

Additionally, owing to its open areas, and calm, tranquil ambiance, the beach is also great to bring your furry friends here to spend some time

Location: Wallasey CH45 8LW, United Kingdom

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14

Meols Beach

Ranked as some of the most peaceful and quaint beaches near Manchester, the Meols Beach at Hoylake is a long and sandy stretch of land overlooking the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool Bay

It is on this tiny sandy beach where you can relax and unwind, whilst enjoying the fresh sea breeze and soaking in the warm rays of the sun

Lined with numerous local shops, beach shacks as well as cafes, Meols Beach also boasts of many beautiful sand dunes, in addition to being a habitat for the local reedbed

The beach is also a hotspot for adventure activities like sand buggy riding, bird watching, and kiting

Location: Meols, Wirral, Merseyside, CH47 7AU, England, United Kingdom

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15

Llandudno beach

To soak in the traditional Welsh air, pay a visit to Llandudno Beach, which doubles up as a British seaside resort, and is one of the most serene beaches near Manchester

Regarded as a “fine and handsome place” by writer Bill Bryson, this beach is also known for its quintessential seaside charm

There is a 700 feet long pier here, in addition to numerous beach resorts, hotels as well as cafes, and restaurants where you can relax and grab a meal

In addition to sunbathing, Llandudno Beach is also a great place to enjoy sailing and windsurfing, donkey rides as well as soaking in views of the sunsets

Location: Llandudno, LL30 2LG, England, United Kingdom

Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Entry Fee: £6 (children between 3 to 16 years of age), £8.50 (adults)

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Manchester Museum

The origins of the museum lie in the vast collection of John Leigh Philips, who was a major manufacturer and collector in Manchester. It is after his death that the Manchester Natural History Society was set up, in the year 1821, after which the collections here continued to grow as more artefacts and objects were donated from different parts of the world. It was in 1868 that the museum was transferred to the University of Manchester, and came to be known as the Manchester Museum.Said to be the largest university museum in the entire United Kingdom, the Manchester Museum is particularly famous for its extensive displays related to archaeology, natural history as well as anthropology. The museum was established in the year 1888 and is home to a collection of more than 4.5 million artefacts from many different parts of the world. It has also gained fame for its huge collection of Chinese cultural items and artefacts, in addition to ethnographic and Egyptology collections.Location: University of, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United KingdomTimings: 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Entry Fee: £3.95 (adults), £2.95 (children)Check This Out: Places To Visit In London