There used to be a good crowd of naturists on the beach on sunny weekends, just south of Southport in the mid-1980s. We used to take the kids, drive onto the beach and go left (south) as far as the parking barriers.

As I recall, it was OK to strip off after about a 100 metres. Nothing furtive, plenty of folk pitched up out on the sands, much like Studland is today. Many happy hours in the buff as a family, building sand castles and playing ball etc. Police and park rangers used to come by and stop for a chat. Lovely atmosphere - we used to travel nearly 40 miles from home for a day out there.

Sadly, as I understand, that has all long since finished as you suggest. To be honest I'm not entirely sure exactly what the current situation is now. There was certainly a big police clamp down in the 1990s, supposedly because of sexual activity in the dunes - though we never saw any of it in our time there.

Others can probably provide a more up-to-date local insight.

Mike

Like many others, we used to go to Ainsdale, just north of Formby, and what delightful times they were in the 70s and 80s. Finally, I think in the 90s, someone was "offended" and from then on nude sunbathing was actively discouraged. It's a most attractive part of our coast and the dunes can offer the kind of seclusion to allow naturism, but caution is perhaps the key word here which is a shame.  :- :-

Thanks Rod - I perhaps should have said Ainsdale, rather than Southport! Glad you recall those halcyon days - we've got many happy memories. We used to live at Kingsley, near Frodsham and the Delamere Forest, but it was always well worth a trip to Ainsdale.

Mike

Thanks for feedback.

I'll stick to running / training there. At least, by the sounds of it, I can run around the dunes without upsetting anyone.

Dave

Hey, over here in Lincolnshire at a place called Theddlethorpe we used to have the same situation. Beautiful place back in the seventies and eighties but then completely ruined by some nutcase of a woman who used to walk her horses on the beach. Everytime she saw someone naked she would call the Police. In the end she got herself a warning for wasting Police time and resources.

We like going to Ainsdale but you do have to be careful. The best way is to try and walk some distance away from where everyone else might be. We also prefer midweek, daytimes/evenings when the kids are still at school. It is possible to have a bit of naked time but you do need to keep and eye out. The 'rangers' tend to use quad bikes so it's relatively easy to hear them coming along.

Vistited for the day on Friday and had a great time. In all I spent a few hours naked, some of the time in a nice spot at the top of the dunes but out of sight of the few people walking along the beach, some of it in the shade amoung the trees, as at midday the sun was to much for me, and later on some time on the beach itself. I saw 4 other naked men all in the dunes.

Where I was sat on the beach there was no-one in sight in either direction so I thought it would be a good oppotunity for a naked swim, usually at formby swimming trunks are required. The tide was out so I walked the long way to the sea, probably 400m or more. Put my bag down on a dry(ish) bit of sand and then noticed a land rover driving up the beach but a long way off. I watched it until it was nearly out of sight then it swing round to head back in my direction. At this point I had wrapped a sarong around my waist and was waiting for the land rover to drive past and go on its way. So there I am on a deserted beach and I can see to Formby in one direction and Ainsdale in the other, a distance of well over a mile and the only people in sight are so far away I needed binoculars to tell they were people. Ideal for a naked swim BUT the land rover is getting closer still heading my way. It gets closer still, drives a few meters past my bag and stops 20m down the beach from me. A chap gets out and starts taking core samples of the sand. So I get into the sea with my sarong on and have a nice swim.

So what were the odds that on this miles long beach I would choose a spot for my swim where they needed to take their core sampes. And they were there quite a time, longer than I was in the sea.

I walked back to the dune edge some of the way naked and laid out in the sun to dry off and warm up. They were still collecting their samples when I left.

Its not a naturist beach but, as others have posted, can be used with care.

caution and discretion are the appropriate words indeed. I find that mid week is less troublesome than the busier weekends. Go onto the beach at ainsdale , turn left, drive down to the barriers and then walk onwards (south) , there's plenty of places in the dunes to stretch out nude and not be disturbed.

It's good to know that this lovely beach can be used for discreet naturism. Maybe it will become more popular again. There should be plenty of room to allow it there.

I am hoping to try this beach at some point as is quite local to me, we're would be the best place to park?

I am hoping to try this beach at some point as is quite local to me, we're would be the best place to park?

I usually head on the beach at ainsdale (the pontins entrance or Shore Road ) - and turn left on the beach, driving down to the barrier (or rails) across the sand from the dunes to the sea. I park there and walk about 100 - 200 yards further on then head into the dunes and find a secluded spot.
hope that helps

I have been to Formby beach several times although a few years ago.  I found the best way to get there and to park was to make my way to Formby village and then drive along Victoria Road from just opposite Freshfield railway station (NOT Formby station) to the car park at the end.  having parked, walk down to the beach and turn right and walk as far as the dunes.  I have spent the day on the beach at the foot of the dunes. As usual, pick your day and time.  I have swum there in the nude without hardly seeing anyone.  The dunes are often occupied by naked men but I have never seen any untoward behaviour.  Warning! The car park is a bit hard to locate from the beach so when you enter the beach from the car park take note of some sort of landmark to guide you back again.

had a nice morning there yesterday stripped off in the dunes.  Very quiet indeed.

had another nice hot morning there too,..... Even amanged to persuade Mrs P along too... Fully suited though.
Saw a couple of naked  male meerkats there today too.....  Maybe the area is picking up in popularity again!