| Ainsdale and Birkdale Hills |
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| LNR Type: |
Urban Fringe |
| County: |
Merseyside |
Natural England
Regional Team:
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North West |
| Year of Declaration: |
1980
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| Declaring Authority: |
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
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| Area (Ha): |
Click here to open the site map (new window). Once displayed, click on the site to see area and other details.
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| Grid Reference: |
SD 304133
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| Location: |
Located between Ainsdale NNR in the south, Weld Road, Southport in the north and Royal Birkdale/Hillside Golf Links to the east. The Ainsdale Discovery Centre is off Shore Road, Ainsdale.
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| Owned by: |
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
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| Managed by: |
Sefton Coast and Countryside Service
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| Map: |
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| Link to site map: |
Click here to open the site map from the Nature on the Map web site.
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| How to get there: |
Merseyrail Northern Line - Ainsdale, Hillside and Birkdale Stations are within 1 mile walking distance. By car - Shore Road and Weld Road can be reached from the Southport Coast Road, off the A565. For public transport information contact Merseytravel on Tel. 0151 236 7676.
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| Visitor facilities: |
Entry via the beach or from the car park at Ainsdale Discovery Centre complex where there is a small visitor centre open in the summer. Public toilets at Shore Road open in the summer. Way marked paths link the site with Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR. The circular dune trail passes through the diverse habitats on the site. The Sefton Coast Path and the Trans Pennine Trail both pass through the site. The Velvet Trail is a circular path through Birkdale Dunes and the Green Beach includes a boardwalk to provide greater access. The neigbouring Sands Lake Nature Trail provides all ability access via a boardwalk around the Lake with interpretive boards and car parking at the Sands Pub. The beach and car free zone provide safe areas for children and students. The Coast and Countryside Service provide a programme of events throughout the year including Natterjack Nights, wildflower walks, bug hunts and craft activities for the whole familey. Green Flag Award 2008
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| What to see: |
Ainsdale & Birkdale Sandhills LNR is one of the largest areas of wild dunes left in Britain. It has high dune ridges and dune valleys containing slacks, some with pools which provide breeding habitat for Natterjack toads. The reserve is rich in plant life. In winter part of the site is grazed by Hebridean sheep.
The damp dune slacks are carpeted with flowers in summer including early marsh orchid, marsh helleborine orchids and grass of Parnassus. The drier slacks have round leaved wintergreen and the nationally rare dune helleborine orchid.
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| Volunteer and 'Friends of' groups: |
Sefton Coast & Countryside Voluntary Rangers
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| Contacts for further information and how to get involved: |
Sefton Coast and Countryside Service, Ainsdale Discovery Centre, The Promenade, Ainsdale-on-Sea, Southport, PR8 2QB. 0151 934 2967
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| Website address and other links: |
www.sefton.gov.uk
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| Additional information: | 
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