Sefton

Sefton is a metropolitan borough in Merseyside, sitting on the northern side of the River Mersey and bordering the city of Liverpool. It covers a varied patchwork of suburban neighbourhoods, coastal resorts and small villages, giving it a mix of urban and rural character.

The borough is best known for the Sefton Coast, with long sand dunes and pinewoods at Formby and Ainsdale that are important wildlife sites - famously home to red squirrels and nesting birds - and for Crosby beach with Antony Gormley’s "Another Place" sculptures. Much of this foreshore is protected and managed by conservation bodies and the National Trust, making it a popular spot for walkers and nature lovers.

Economically and socially Sefton is diverse: seaside Southport leans more tourist- and retail-focused, while places such as Bootle have strong historic links to the docks and the Port of Liverpool, with ongoing regeneration projects shaping local aims. The borough also keeps quieter historic corners like Sefton Village with its medieval St Helen's Church, and a steady calendar of community events that reflect its mix of seaside and working-class heritage.