Crosby is a small seaside town with a rich cultural heritage, a vibrant dining scene, and what is almost certainly the finest beach in Merseyside. Officially part of the borough of Sefton, Crosby makes for a great day trip from nearby Liverpool while others choose the town as a tranquil base from which to explore the area.

With a strong connection to the Irish Sea, Crosby is popular among locals for its marina – a hot spot for diverse wildlife – and Crosby Beach, home to the iconic Another Place art installation.

Elsewhere, the town is home to the Marine AFC football club, a community cinema, and a variety of cosy heritage pubs and restaurants.

Crosby Near Liverpool - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Liverpool (Read all about Liverpool here)

What are the highlights of Crosby?

Across the wider region, Crosby is best known for its beautiful beach. Stretching for over 2 miles from the Seaforth Dock in the Port of Liverpool, the beach is a popular spot with locals and visitors who come to take in the sweeping views of the Mersey Estuary and the Welsh mountains beyond.

Facing directly westwards, sunsets from the beach are epic and summer evenings are often busy, carnival-like affairs. The beach is home to Sir Anthony Gormley’s Another Place artwork, consisting of 100 naked sculptures of the author cast in iron and facing out to sea.

Crosby is home to a popular marina that is home to one of the Liverpool region’s most varied populations of birdlife. In addition to beautiful views, visitors can get up close with a range of bird species including Canadian geese, swans, gulls, waders, curlews, long-tailed ducks, and more.

Away from the seafront, Crosby remains an inviting destination. The commercial centre is known for its propensity for hosting independent shops, including boutiques showcasing local designers as well as a variety of cafes, bars and restaurants. At the community-run Plaza Cinema, tickets are cheap, while Rossett Park is the home of Marine AFC, the town’s beloved football club.

Eating and drinking in Crosby

In recent years, Crosby has developed a reputation as one of the premier dining-out spots in the Merseyside area. As a relatively affluent area, the demand for diverse eateries is high and today Crosby boasts a variety of restaurants and bars aimed at all tastes.

Chief among Crosby’s eateries is The Workshop, where fresh seafood from British sources meets modern preparation. In simple yet refined surroundings, diners here return time and again for the Cornish lobster with tonga bean butter, rock oysters served natural or Rockefeller style, and venison carpaccio with blueberry vinaigrette.

For more casual eats, Crosby Coffee is an independent coffee roaster in the centre of town where the food is just as important as the excellent beverages. Packed with a simple, rustic flair inspired by Australian coffee culture, this shop offers a range of blends and roasts to suit all tastes. Their food menu includes simple yet high-quality bagels, sandwiches and salads in addition to freshly baked homemade cakes and pastries.

photo by Rept0n1x (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Good to know about Crosby

One of the best things about Crosby is the town’s proximity to Liverpool city centre. If you are visiting Liverpool and fancy a day out away from the hustle and bustle, a trip to Crosby can be a great way to slow the pace.

From Liverpool Central station, the trip to Crosby involves a simple 19-minute train ride to Blundellsands and Crosby, which provides easy access to the north-end of Crosby beach. Alternatively, alight at Waterloo for access to the marina and town centre.

photo by Rept0n1x (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Crosby Near Liverpool

James Connolly | Guest Writer