How many times have you heard the quote “Manchester’s got everything except a beach”? We’re going to guess it’s a fair few… and we’re just as bored of it as you are.
We’ll even bet Ian Brown regrets saying it, at this point.
While our region isn’t home to a stretch of glistening golden sands and open water like a lot of our neighbours, we do have plenty of other things to shout about and be proud of, from a world-renowned music scene, and record-breaking sports teams, to the first-ever computer, the splitting of the atom, votes for women, and Vimto – yes Vimto.
But if a beach is what we’re after, then luckily, we don’t have to travel that far to find one – in fact, one of the UK’s best is only around an hour away.
As it does every year, The Sunday Times has rounded-up list of the best beaches in the UK for 2023, with 50 in total from every region and all four corners of the country making the cut, and just over an hour’s drive from Greater Manchester is Formby Beach.
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Formby has been named as one of the UK’s 50 best beaches for 2023 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Known and loved for its miles of pristine sand and dunes, pine forest, and, of course, red squirrels, the Merseyside beach is an absolute North West gem.
So it’s no wonder The Sunday Times has singled it out as being one of the UK’s best.
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The publication has recommended Formby – which is looked after by the National Trust – for being “accessible”, “dog-friendly”, and for having “excellent” water quality, but local writer Andrew Morris then goes on to admit that that “doesn’t quite prepare you for the scale of Formby beach”.
In a bid to sum up what makes Formby Beach so special, The Sunday Times writes: “500 acres of hilly dunes, backed by woodlands of Corsican, Austrian and Scots pine that are home not only to red squirrels but also crossbills.
“And then the great sand sea of the beach, where bands of petrified mud bear the footprints of prehistoric beachgoers both animal and human.
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The 15th edition of The Times and Sunday Times Best UK Beaches is here!
“The red brick remains of the nation’s first lifeboat station are here too.
“The work of the former pirate turned Liverpool dock master William Hutchinson, it was built in the 1770s and crewed by volunteers who shared a guinea for each life saved off the shifting sands at the mouth of the Mersey.”
To give it two words, The Sunday Times called Formby a “wild and fascinating” beach – and we couldn’t agree more.
Featured Image – National Trust
Travel & Tourism
Greater Manchester among first to get ‘confusing’ rail fares replaced by two simpler options
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is among the first UK regions to have the current ‘confusing’ range of rail fares replaced by two simpler options.
As it stands, more than a dozen different fares are currently available for journeys on certain train routes, including many which restrict customers to travelling on a particular service or with one train operating company.
But from early next month, all that is set to change.
As of Sunday 7 December, anyone who buys a ticket from any operator on the day they’re travelling between two of the 96 railway stations in Greater Manchester will be offered the following options – ‘anytime’ or ‘off-peak’.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the new system aims to make ticketing ‘simpler’ and prices more ‘transparent’, so passengers can trust they’ve got the best value for money.
Greater Manchester is among the first to get ‘confusing’ rail fares replaced by two simpler options / Credit: TPE
All single journeys will be half the price of return trips, which means the average train fare in Greater Manchester will fall by 5.6% overall.
Other types of tickets will still be offered to those who book in advance.
The introduction of the two options are part of the Government’s UK-wide transformation of fares in a bid to make them easier to understand and make journeys more ‘seamless’.
As mentioned, Greater Manchester will be one of the first areas in the country to introduce this type of rail fare reform, and TfGM says it will star to ‘pave the way’ for contactless payments and the already-announced integration with the Bee Network from December 2026 onwards.
BIG NEWS
On 7/12/25, GM sees the biggest change to rail services for 30+ years.
A new fairer, simpler fare system will come in across our 96 stations.
🐝 Singles will be half the price of returns 🐝 Tickets will be valid on any operator 🐝 Average fare will fall by 5.6%
It’s said that more than half of train journeys (52%) will be cheaper, with savings of up to £1.50 on some trips, and as many as 4,000 customers saving money, while on the remaining 48% of journeys, customers will see a slight price increase, but for most of these (85%), it will be a rise of 20p or less.
“For too long, confusion around the complicated web of tickets has been a barrier to people choosing the train,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.
“We’ve seen that making public transport more affordable and simpler boosts passenger numbers, with more people than ever boarding our yellow buses and integrated tap and go payments with our tram network.
“These simpler fares are a stepping stone to bringing rail into the Bee Network in December 2026, joining up trains with buses, trams, and active travel for an integrated public transport system like those enjoyed by other global cities.”
Featured Image – Northern
Travel & Tourism
First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home
Thomas Melia
Manchester Christmas Markets are back and all our Christmas wishes have come true, as its spiritual home Albert Square joins in on the festivities for the first time in six years.
Grab a mulled wine, toast yourself a marshmallow and take a seat, because we’re going to take you on a quick tour of this brand-new offering.
You’ll be able to tick off your Christmas Markets wish list in one place, as Manchester has got all your usual favourites and so much more taking place right here outside of its iconic Town Hall.
As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a huge sign spelling out the city’s iconic abbreviation ‘MCR’, just in case you forgot where you were, that also doubles as a nice photo opportunity.
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
As you walk into Albert Square there’s a mix of nostalgic wooden huts and brightly coloured modern street food vendor stations waiting to tempt you with all their tasty treats.
There’s no messing around at this Christmas hotspot because not even 10 feet after you enter, you can warm up with a glühwein and bratwurst, yes please.
Think you’re done sampling some festive feasts? Think again as there’s a marshmallow toasting station, a roasted chestnut cart and lots of huts are offering their own hot chocolate creations.
Local street food vendor Rita’s Reign has made her mark in Albert Square too, serving up her foodie feasts with a seasonal spin such as the ‘Festive Feast’ and ‘Christmas Crunch’ combo boxes.
Rita’s Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
As you keep making your way round there’s some lovely gifts and trinkets to browse including tree decorations, ornaments and some vibrant pieces of art.
There’s plenty of ways to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained with some carnival-themed games and stalls as well as a vintage carousel, if that doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit what else will?
Of course, there’s even more food to mention like mini dutch pancakes, toasted sandwiches, French toast, the list is endless (Much like many of our Christmas lists).
And we couldn’t finish our visit without acknowledging the elephant in the room, also known as The Manchester Big Wheel, which is the perfect people-watching spot, but maybe hop on this ride before you try all the tasty treats mentioned above.
Emily Sergeant -
1st September 2023 
