These Are The Best Beaches Near Manchester
You can make it to all of these local beaches within an hour and a half
When the weather gets warm over summer, there’s few places in Manchester where you can truly appreciate the sun. Sure, you can take a seat at Piccadilly Gardens or enjoy a pint at one of Manchester’s many beer gardens, but it’s definitely not the same as heading to the beach.
There are plenty of beaches around the city centre if you’re willing to drive or catch a train. But don’t worry, all the ones we’re sharing will take an hour and a half at most to get there.
Whether you’re on the lookout for an activity packed day out at the coast, want to fill up on donuts and ice cream, or just want to feel the sand between your toes, there’s a North-West beach out there for you.
Blackpool
50 miles from Manchester / 1 hour and 34 minutes drive / 1 hour and 9 minute direct train
No local beach roundup could ignore Blackpool. The North-West’s answer to the Las Vegas strip, offering a taste of everything you might want on a day out.
The beach itself is a long and expansive strip of sand, boasting three picturesque piers, which is more than any other beach resort in the UK.
And you’re not just restricted to the beach whilst in Blackpool - there are plenty of sites and attractions to try during your visit. Blackpool Tower is an iconic northern landmark that is free to explore, however you do have to pay to head up to the top of the tower (tickets from £15).
If you’re happy to commit the full day, we’d recommend Blackpool Pleasure Beach (tickets from £28). There’s a mix of both thrill-seeker and family rides, as well as elaborate shows and events.
The list goes on! You can also visit Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, the Big Wheel, as well as all of Blackpool’s local amusements and independent shops and eateries.
If Blackpool is good enough for Lisa Kudrow, it’s good enough for us.
Blackpool Hotels you might like: Boulevard Hotel (Luxury), The President Hotel (Dog Friendly), Doric Hotel (Swimming Pools).
Lytham St. Anne’s
36 miles from Manchester / 1 hour and 39 minute drive / 1 hour and 8 minutes on the train (with a changeover in Preston)
Lytham St. Anne’s is a quintessentially British seaside location, complete with a Victorian pier and donkey rides on the beach.
You can also hire an adorable beach hut for your visit, which offers mains electricity and a small kitchen area.These do get a little pricey over the summer months and weekends, but you can cover the hut hire for just over £20 each if you split it between six friends.
If you decide to head to this seaside town by train, it is a bit of a pain as you have to changeover at Preston. However, there’s a Wetherspoons halfway between the Lytham St. Anne’s station and its beach, so it’s not all bad.
Hotels in Lytham St Anne’s you might like: Dalmeny Hotel (Luxury), Glendower Hotel BW Signature Collection (Dogs Allowed)
Formby
43 miles from Manchester / 57 minute drive / 1 hour and 21 minutes on the train (with a changeover in Southport)
If you truly want to go on an adventure, head to Formby beach. You can get there in just under an hour if you travel by car, and you’ll be greeted by the most magical of views.
The beach here is accessible through a stunning pine tree woodland, which is a marvel in itself. Once you reach the coastline, you’ll see Formby’s expansive stretch of grass-topped sand dunes, and clear views of the Irish Sea.
This location is perfect for nature lovers, due to the area’s exciting mix of habitats and species. The beach itself is run by the National Trust, and the sand dunes and surrounding areas are teeming with fascinating wildlife that you’ll not find in Manchester city centre.
Formby Hotels you might like: Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa (Luxury), Formby B&B (Dogs Allowed)
Prestatyn
70 miles from Manchester / 1 hour and 41-minute drive / 1 hour and 27-minute direct train
If you jump on the direct train to Prestatyn, you’ll find yourself on the foreign beaches of Wales.This means taking advantage of another country’s gorgeous scenery, without all the airport chaos.
Prestatyn Ffrith beach is a gorgeously long sandy beach, perfect if your goal is sunbathing and relaxing on a hot day. The beach is also entirely dog friendly, so is ideal for taking the pup out when the weather gets too warm for scolding cement pavements.
Hotels in Prestatyn you might like: The Beaches Hotel (Seafront Luxury), Terfyn Hall Holiday Apartment 2 (Dogs Allowed)
Crosby
41 miles from Manchester / 57 minute drive / 1 hour and 2 minutes on the train (with a changeover in Southport)
A bit of a bucket list beach, Crosby has something very special about it.
If you visit, you’ll notice some strange looking figures up and down the foreshore. These are in fact a collection of 100 cast-iron lifesize sculptures of men, dotted across 3km of Crosby beach. They stretch nearly 1km towards the sea, meaning you’ll get to see them eerily emerge from the sea as the tide retreats and slowly submerge as it comes back in.
The art installation, named ‘Another Place’ was created by Antony Gormley, the artist behind Newcastle upon Tyne’s Angel of the North.
This beach is definitely one to visit, and can be enjoyed even during the colder months.
Hotels in Crosby you might like: The Royal Hotel (Closest to the beach), Titanic Hotel (Luxury), Beach House (perfect for groups, dog friendly and on the seafront).
Written by Meg Cushnahan, pictured above enjoying one of England’s breezy beaches
Disclaimer: The hotel suggestions included here were extensively researched by the City Girl Network team, but they have not been reviewed or experienced by us. If, following this publication, our members recommend other hotels or we experience any others, the article (and this disclaimer) will be updated accordingly.
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