High tides approaching 9 metres set to swallow much of Formby beach over Bank Holiday weekend

Anyone planning a Bank Holiday trip to Formby beach this weekend is being urged to check the tide times carefully, with exceptionally high daytime tides expected to leave very little beach exposed around lunchtime.

The National Trust has issued a warning ahead of what is expected to be a busy August Bank Holiday weekend, with high tides of more than eight metres coinciding with the middle of the day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Sefton Council is also warning visitors that spring tides are expected along the Sefton Coast, bringing larger tidal ranges and rapidly changing conditions.

The highest tide of the weekend at Formby is expected on Sunday afternoon, when the sea is forecast to reach 8.82 metres.

High tide times for Formby

Saturday 29 August

12:37pm at 8.32 metres

Sunday 30 August

1:08pm at 8.82 metres

Bank Holiday Monday 31 August

1:40pm at 8.81 metres

These times are particularly important because they fall right in the middle of the period when thousands of people could be heading to the coast.

The National Trust has warned that there could be very little beach available for around an hour either side of high tide.

Formby sits on Liverpool Bay, which has one of the highest tidal ranges in the UK. At particularly high tides, the entire beach can sometimes disappear beneath the water.

Anyone walking along the shoreline should therefore be aware of the incoming tide and avoid becoming cut off or leaving belongings close to the water while the tide is coming in.

The weather could also make it feel less like a traditional sunny Bank Holiday weekend.

The latest forecasts indicate an unsettled few days, with showers or rain possible across the weekend. Conditions could also become breezier, particularly by Bank Holiday Monday, so anyone heading onto the beach should check the latest weather forecast before setting off.

Strong winds can make conditions at the coast considerably different from those just a few miles inland, and visitors should take particular care around the water.

Inflatables should not be used in the sea at Formby. The National Trust highlights RNLI advice that strong winds, shifting tides and offshore currents along the Sefton Coast can quickly sweep inflatables out to sea.

National Trust issues wildlife plea…

The exceptionally high tides are also important for the thousands of birds using the Sefton coastline.

The National Trust is asking visitors to give migrating shoreline birds plenty of space as they rest and conserve vital energy.

Visitors are asked not to walk towards or through flocks of birds and to keep dogs and horses away from them.

The beach along the Sefton Coast is internationally important for feeding and roosting birds, with many stopping here during long migrations to breeding or overwintering grounds.

When the tide comes in, the amount of available space for both people and wildlife becomes dramatically reduced, making it even more important to leave resting birds undisturbed.

Horse riders should also remember that the Sefton Coast Public Space Protection Order states that horses must not be ridden on the beach within two hours either side of high tide.

Expect a busy Formby this Bank Holiday

The combination of the Bank Holiday weekend and the Southport Air Show taking place on Saturday and Sunday could also mean considerably more traffic along parts of the Sefton Coast.

Sefton Council has warned that roads could be especially busy and has reminded visitors that parking enforcement officers will be patrolling throughout the weekend.

The National Trust advises visitors that parking at Formby is limited and can fill extremely quickly during sunny weekends, school holidays and Bank Holidays.

Visitors are asked to park responsibly and never block residential roads or access needed by emergency vehicles.

Lifeboat Road has RNLI lifeguards on duty during the summer from 10am until 6pm.

Anyone getting into difficulty on the beach or in the sea should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Formby beach is one of the most beautiful places on our coastline, but this weekend the sea will be coming a very long way in during the busiest part of the day.

If you are heading down, check the tide and weather before you leave, keep an eye on the incoming water and give the wildlife the space it needs.

Most importantly, don’t assume the stretch of sand you arrive on will still be there an hour later.

If you see anyone in difficulty in the water or along the coastline, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.