British Beaches

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"Waves like distant cannonades that set the land shaking"

Hightown Beach

Merseyside, England


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Hightown Beach is a mainly sandy beach located on the Formby coastline between Liverpool and Southport, backed by dunes and the small town of Hightown. .

The beach is situated on the Merseyside coast, approximately 8 miles from Liverpool, and is known for its wide open sandy stretch and peaceful atmosphere. The beach is backed by an extensive system of dunes and is used by ramblers and dog walkers.

The beach and surrounding area are home to a variety of wildlife, including wading and shore birds, butterflies, and rare flora. The dunes are home to natterjack toads and sand lizards, and in spring and summer, a variety of birds make their nests in the dunes. The area of saltmarsh around the River Alt estuary is a good spot to see wildlife, and at low tide, the remnants of a submerged forest can be seen.

Visitors to the area should be aware of the potential dangers, including quicksands and rapidly-incoming tides with strong currents. There is a 620-acre ALTCAR military training site on the north-west side of the River Alt, where live firing takes place. There is no designated parking near the beach, although it may be possible to find a parking spot on the roads close to the beach. Access to the beach is via a short walk over the dunes.

Shops and pubs can be found in Hightown, and the beach is dog-friendly, with no restrictions on dogs. The Sefton Coastal Path passes the beach, and the area is popular with dog walkers and ramblers. The nearby Cabin Hill National Nature Reserve offers beautiful sand dunes and various habitats, making it a great spot for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Hightown Beach is adjacent to the Sefton Coastal Footpath.

Estuary Sand Shingle

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 100%
Max temperature 16°C
feels like 17°C
Wind 26mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 89%
Min temperature 11°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 26mph

The tide at Hightown Beach is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 8:17 AM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 2:12 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Hightown Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Freshfield Squirrel Reserve (2.9 miles)
Beer Station (2.9 miles)
Asparagus Trail (3 miles)
Formby Point (3 miles)
Formby Golf Club (3 miles)
Antony Gormley's Another Place (3 miles)
Segwayz North West (3.2 miles)
Plaza Cinema (3.6 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Hightown

Location type: Town

OS Grid: SD294034

Coordinates: 53°31'24"N 3°3'54"W

Mapcode: GBR 7W1P.6P

What 3 Words: flight.eagle.hack

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: England

Local Authority: Sefton

Parish: Hightown

Nearest postcode: L38 0BU

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Hightown Beach, Merseyside, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:07:25 +0100