Planning a sunny day out at the beach but not sure which one to head to? You’re in luck. There are plenty of beautiful beaches near Manchester that are easy to reach by train. From a visit to the Wirral to classic seaside resorts and even a trip across the border into Wales, check out our list of 5 of the best beaches near Manchester by train:
- Blackpool beach
- Llandudno beach
- Ainsdale beach
- Lytham St Annes beach
- West Kirby beach
1. Blackpool beach
One of the first places that jumps into our head when we think seaside is Blackpool. This famous seaside resort has been attracting visitors to its sandy shores for years, and we think it makes a great day out at the beach.
You’ll never run out of things to do, and with Blackpool being just over an hour by train from Manchester, you can keep coming back for more. Whether you just want to chill on the beach, wander along the piers or jump on some of the rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, it all adds up to a great day out.
Getting there by train
The train from Manchester to Blackpool takes just 1h 10m on the fastest Northern services. Once you arrive at one of Blackpool’s stations (North, South or the Pleasure Beach) it’s just a few minutes walk to find yourself on the beach.
Find out more about trains to Blackpool.
2. Llandudno beach
Heading to a beach near Manchester doesn’t mean you have to stay in England. Why not hop over the border and head to the popular Welsh seaside resort of Llandudno. A popular destination with day trippers and holidaymakers alike, Llandudno has all the charm of a Victorian seaside resort, with modern attractions that all ages can enjoy.
Llandudno’s main beach, North Shore, is a 2021 Seaside Award winner, with golden sands, deckchairs available to hire, an elegant pier and promenade and lots of cafes and shops nearby. You can even hop on a speedboat for a tour of the area if you want an added thrill.
Getting there by train
The train from Manchester to Llandudno takes 2h 4m on the quickest services. Direct trains are available, or if not, you just need to make a quick change at Llandudno Junction to continue to Llandudno.
Read more about trains to Llandudno beach.
3. Ainsdale Beach
This long sandy beach has plenty of space for all visitors, whether you've come for a sunbath, a paddle or to kitesurf. In fact, it's so popular with sports enthusiasts it even has a dedicated kite zone, as it's one of the best beaches in the UK for kitebuggying and kitesurfing.
The many sand dunes dotted along the beach make a lovely spot for a walk, we suggest following the Sands Lake Nature Trail to take in all this beautifully scenic location.
Getting there by train
The train from Manchester to Ainsdale takes just 1h 22m on the fastest Northern services. You’ll need to make one quick change along the way, usually in Southport, then once you arrive at Ainsdale it's just a 10-15-minute walk to the sea.
Find out more about trains to Ainsdale beach.
4. Lytham St Annes beach
Another charming Victorian seaside town, St Annes beach is surrounded by a long and winding promenade, dotted with colourful beach huts and gardens, a pier full of your favourite arcade games and cafes to grab yourself a snack.
At low tide this flat sandy beach is huge! Due to the wide tidal range of the Irish Sea, there's lots of space and you won’t feel cramped even if it's busy with visitors.
Getting there by train
The train from Manchester to St Annes-on-the-Sea takes just 1h 20m on the fastest services. You’ll need to make one quick change along the way at Preston, and you’ll be travelling on either a Northern or TransPennine Express service. Once you reach St Annes, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the prom, pier, and beach.
Learn more about trains to Lytham St Anne’s beach.
5. West Kirby beach
One of the smaller beaches in the area, West Kirby beach is only 300 metres long, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a visit. Find a spot on this sandy beach and watch the world go by, plus you’ll find coffee and ice cream shops nearby, so you won't go hungry.
If you fancy a paddle, the waters here are sparkling and often draw windsurfers and kitesurfers to the beach as well, so there’s always something going on.
Getting there by train
The train from Manchester to West Kirby takes just 1h 34m on the quickest TransPennine Express or Northern services. You’ll need to make a quick change at Liverpool Lime Street onto a train heading to West Kirby. Once you arrive at the station, it's just a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Learn more about trains to West Kirby beach.
Feeling inspired? What are you waiting for, book your train tickets to a beach near Manchester today! Want to find out more about the amazing beaches the UK has to offer? Check out our guide to the 10 best beaches in the UK.