We checked 5 Merseyside beaches against Sefton Council and National Trust pages. Sefton says only two parts of its coast are dog-free, a 555 metre stretch at Southport and 200 metres either side of the main entrance at Ainsdale, both from 1 May to 30 September. Crosby has no ban, and Formby depends on local signs. We found no official rule for the Wirral beaches.
I want to be upfront about what this page is. Sefton is clear, but Wirral and Liverpool published nothing we could find for their beaches, so we name the source on every card with the date we checked. If you are planning a full day out, our guide to local dog walks in Merseyside sets out the walks we checked.
The rules in short
Sefton’s dog order was approved in April 2024 and runs to April 2027. Outside the two summer dog-free zones, dogs should be under control and on a lead when exploring the dunes. Our Merseyside area guide explains what each service covers. Councils can change their orders, so read the signs on the day.
Summer dog-free zones: 1 May to 30 September
At these beaches dogs are not allowed in the zone described, and are allowed on the rest of the beach. If you want an off-lead run away from the sand, secure dog fields in Merseyside are worth a look.
Southport Beach
The beach is free of dogs from the Pier south towards Pleasureland, for 555 metres, and to the tide line, from 1 May to 30 September. The rest of the beach is not listed as restricted. The council asks you to keep dogs under control.
Source: Sefton Council, “Enjoying beaches safely” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Ainsdale Beach
The beach is free of dogs 200 metres either side of the main beach entrance, and to the tide line, from 1 May to 30 September. The rest of the beach is not listed as restricted. The council asks you to keep dogs on a lead when exploring the dunes.
Source: Sefton Council, “Enjoying beaches safely” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
No dog ban
Sefton names only Southport and Ainsdale as off-limits. For a swim, our guide to dog swimming spots in Merseyside may help.
Crosby Beach
No dog ban. Sefton says only two areas of its coast are off-limits, Southport and Ainsdale, so dogs are allowed at Crosby under control. Blundellsands and Waterloo are part of the same coast but are not named separately.
Source: Sefton Council, “Enjoying beaches safely” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Dates to check before you travel
Here the rules are shown on local signs, so we have listed the beach with the reason rather than leave it out.
Formby Beach
The National Trust says dogs cannot go onto a beach with a ban, and some areas allow running off the lead, as shown by local signs. It gives no fixed dates. Keep dogs on a short lead around sheep and away from the dune pools from March to August. Sefton’s own pages list no dog restriction at Formby.
Source: National Trust, Formby with your dog (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Reported as dog-friendly (tourism source only)
No council page confirms this, so treat it as a starting point and check the signs.
New Brighton Beach
A tourism site says dogs are welcome all year with no known restrictions, though it mentions press reports of possible future ones. We found no Wirral Council page, so check the signs.
Source: The Beach Guide (tourism site) (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
What we could not confirm
The council pages give no postcodes, so we show a Google Maps link for every beach instead, and we have left dog bins and parking out rather than guess. We found no official rule for West Kirby, Hoylake, Leasowe, Meols, Moreton, Thurstaston, Caldy, Otterspool or Garston, so they have no cards. Wirral told a 2019 committee that no beach restrictions were proposed, but that is not a current order, and we could not read the full text of Sefton’s coast order. It is worth knowing where your nearest vet is before a coastal trip.
Staying overnight? Our dog-friendly stays in Merseyside list places that publish their dog policy.
Busy beaches can be exciting for a dog. If yours finds crowds unsettling, the Calmdogs calming bites are a complementary feed some owners keep for days out, though for ongoing anxiety it’s best to speak to your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my dog on Southport beach?
Yes, outside the dog-free stretch. Sefton Council says the beach is free of dogs from the Pier south towards Pleasureland, for 555 metres, from 1 May to 30 September. The rest of the beach is not listed as restricted.
Are dogs allowed on Formby beach?
Check the signs. The National Trust says dogs cannot go onto a beach with a ban and some areas allow running off the lead, with no fixed dates. Keep dogs away from the dune pools from March to August.
Is there a dog ban on Crosby beach?
No. Sefton says only Southport and Ainsdale are off-limits to dogs, so dogs are allowed at Crosby under control.
Are dogs allowed on Wirral beaches?
We found no official rule for West Kirby, Hoylake or the other Wirral beaches. A tourism site says New Brighton welcomes dogs all year, so check the signs.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
