New Brighton Beach

If you’re looking for a beach destination, New Brighton is not ‘The Last Resort’ despite being immortalised as such in Martin Parr’s colour-saturated photography. In his art, litter and brutalist concrete are everywhere but behind the austerity are pictures of people having fun in the sun. And that’s what this beach is all about.

Yes, due to tidal changes in the Mersey Estuary, there is quite a lot of concrete about; it’s a coastal erosion measure to protect New Brighton’s soft sandy beach. The beach has been cleaned up and it’s a lovely place for sandcastles and paddling but doesn’t yet have bathing water status.

It’s not brilliant for swimming because the shallows go on for ages but that does make it more child-friendly. It’s watched over by lifeguards so if you do want an invigorating dip, stick to the main area of the beach because tides and mudflats further along can make it dangerous.

There’s plenty to do on and around the beach. The shallow waters are perfect for kitesurfing, and other watersports including swimming are available at Marine Lake. Regular live music events take place at Fort Perch Rock at the end of the beach. There’s an escape room there too. 

New Brighton Beach is a great day out and with millions being spent on regeneration, it’s only going to get better. The Times has named this one of the best UK coastal towns to live in thanks in part to thriving independent shops selling vinyl and vintage, colourful street art and a counter-cultural vibe. There’s even a new lido planned as part of the development.

Nothing can be done about the North Wind though. That’s bracing New Brighton for you.