National Trust Formby

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National Trust Formby Formby is a much-loved, coastal nature haven for wildlife and people. We welcome feedback – both positive and negative. It helps us to learn and grow.
(1858)

Discover some of Europe’s best sand dune habitats, where many rare species thrive, including natterjack toads and sand lizards. Together we can protect this special place so that it’s here for everyone to enjoy, for ever. If you have any questions or comments please email us [email protected]


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You may spot some excavation work taking place in some of the dune slacks over the coming weeks as we give a helping han...
16/10/2026

You may spot some excavation work taking place in some of the dune slacks over the coming weeks as we give a helping hand to one of Formby’s rarest residents, the natterjack toad.
 
Natterjacks need shallow freshwater pools, known as slacks, to breed successfully, but these habitats can gradually become overgrown or less suitable over time.

Now that the toads are beginning their winter hibernation, our Ranger team is carefully re-grading some of the existing breeding slacks and creating a couple of new ones.

This will help provide a wider range of options, including different water levels and conditions.
 
By creating a stronger and more resilient network of different breeding pools across the dunes, we’re helping give natterjack toads the best possible chance of thriving, whatever the weather brings in the years ahead.
 
This is all part of our work to care for Formby’s ever-changing dune landscape and the wildlife that depends on it.

Today we welcomed back eight English longhorn cattle, who will be helping to restore Formby’s dune grasslands this winte...
14/10/2026

Today we welcomed back eight English longhorn cattle, who will be helping to restore Formby’s dune grasslands this winter.

A total of 18 cattle will be joining our dune restoration efforts, with the rest arriving in a couple of weeks.

The grazing area is south of Lifeboat Road and you’re welcome to wander.

Look out for the information signs with top tips for a safe and enjoyable walk, as well as a QR code to scan and find the live location of the herd.

We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust after a successful trial last winter.

Find out more by clicking on the link in our bio on Instagram and in the comments on Facebook.

Join mycologists from the Northwest fungus group and Ranger Jess for a guided fungi walk. Together you’ll explore the wo...
13/10/2026

Join mycologists from the Northwest fungus group and Ranger Jess for a guided fungi walk.

Together you’ll explore the woodlands at Formby to search for the fascinating fungal species that grow here.

Date: Thursday 22 October
Time: 10:30am - 13:30pm
Tickets: £10 per person to help cover the cost of running the event and support our conservation work at Formby.

Booking essential for members and non-members. Find out more and secure your place by clicking on the link in our bio on Instagram and in the comments on Facebook.

🐸 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬Our Ranger team and regular volunteers have recently been hard at work in the dunes to the...
12/10/2026

🐸 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬
Our Ranger team and regular volunteers have recently been hard at work in the dunes to the south of the site, using strimmers and brushcutters to create wildlife corridors between the dune slacks.
 
Natterjack toads struggle to move through dense vegetation such as long grass, bramble and creeping willow. By creating areas of short vegetation and open sand, we’re helping these rare amphibians travel more easily between the breeding pools.
 
In quieter areas to the south of the site, we will be welcoming back Lancashire Wildlife Trust English Longhorn cattle this winter to graze and carry out this important conservation work naturally.

However, in this much busier part of the site, we’re trialling a different technique by hand, to achieve similar benefits for wildlife and help prepare the dunes for next year’s breeding season.

As   comes to an end we thought we’d share 5 fun facts that you (probably) never knew about red squirrels:1. Red squirre...
11/10/2026

As comes to an end we thought we’d share 5 fun facts that you (probably) never knew about red squirrels:

1. Red squirrels can swim if needed, but it’s not something they do often.

2. Baby reds are called ‘kittens’, they are born blind with no hair or teeth.

3. They are protected under the UK’s Wildlife and Countryside Act.

4. Double-jointed ankles allow them to go down a tree headfirst.

5. Their bushy tail is used for balance, communication and as a snuggly blanket.

Find out more about the woodland conservation we are doing at NT Formby to create healthier habitats for red squirrels and all the wonderful wildlife that lives here by clicking on the link in our bio on Instagram and in the comments on Facebook.

📸 NT Images Gary Bailey

It’s  . Autumn is here, and Formby’s woods are alive with colour and character from all kinds of fascinating fungi. You ...
10/10/2026

It’s . Autumn is here, and Formby’s woods are alive with colour and character from all kinds of fascinating fungi.
 
You can download a handy fungi spotter sheet from our website to take with you whilst you wander and help you identify and tick off just some of the special species that grow here.

Simply pop “Things to see and do at Formby” in your favourite search engine.
 
📸 You’re welcome to take photos but please don’t pick any fungi. The trend for fungi foraging has increased, which could lead to a negative impact on fungi populations here at Formby, and all the wonderful the organisms they support.
 
We’d would love to see your photos of fungi tag us or share in the comments below.

  Rare, red squirrels roam wild and free right across the whole NT Formby site and local area. They are solitary animals...
08/10/2026


Rare, red squirrels roam wild and free right across the whole NT Formby site and local area. They are solitary animals and can be quite elusive and timid, hence why spotting one is never guaranteed but a real delight when it happens.

Autumn is a good time to go squirrel spotting as the reds become more active gathering and storing their food for winter.

Here’s our top tips for spotting red squirrels:

🐿Come early when it’s quieter.

🐿They are most active in the morning and early evening.

🐿Often you can hear one before you see one.

🐿Listen for scampering up a tree or a pinecone dropping to the floor.

🐿Be patient, take time to stand quietly for a while and enjoy the nature around you.

🐿Pinecones are a favourite snack so look out for messy chewed ones on the floor.

🐿Search for tiny human-like handprints in the mud.

🐿They like to eat in comfort so look out for them on moss covered stumps in the
sun.

🐿Look up they can often be seen leaping through the treetops.

🐿You might also spot a drey in the trees –an untidy ball of sticks and leaves similar
to a bird’s nest.

Have you been lucky enough to spot a red squirrel at NT Formby or in your local garden we'd love to see your photos. Tag us or share in the comments below

📸 NT Images Gary Bailey

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Victoria Road, Formby
Liverpool
L371LJ

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