Crosby Beach to Hightown Coastal Walk

The Crosby Beach to Hightown Coastal Walk follows the Sefton Coast north from Crosby, on the Merseyside shore of England, to the dune village of Hightown. The route starts near Burbo Bank Road South in Crosby L23 and passes through Crosby Coastal Park, where Antony Gormley's Another Place installation places 100 cast-iron figures along roughly 3 km of foreshore, all facing out to sea. Access is simple: Merseyrail Northern Line trains stop at Blundellsands and Crosby, a short walk from the shore, and the same line serves Hightown station at the far end, so the walk can be done one way with a train back. Roadside and car park parking exists near the coastal park, but no permit is needed for the walk. The distance is about 8 km one way, taking 2-3 hours, and the terrain is flat with negligible elevation gain, which places it firmly in the easy category. The surface changes between a paved promenade and cycle path, firm sand and softer sand or shingle near the dunes. There is almost no shade and full exposure to coastal wind, so the walk feels cooler than inland Liverpool in winter and can be bright and hot in summer. Key landmarks include the Another Place figures, the wide sweep of Liverpool Bay with wind turbines on the horizon, the dune systems and pine edges that lead toward Hightown, and views across to North Wales on clear days. Sensible turn-around points are the end of the figures, the Crosby Lakeside area, or Hightown itself. The tide matters: the lower figures are partly covered at high water, and patches of soft mud and sinking sand exist, so visitors should check a tide table and keep to firm sand. Water points and shelter are limited, with cafes and toilets concentrated around the Crosby Coastal Park end, so carrying water and a windproof layer is advisable.