Crosby Beach is the most unusual free outing near Liverpool, and one of the most photographed. Spread along more than three kilometres of sand are one hundred cast iron figures, each cast from the body of the artist Antony Gormley and each weighing about 650 kilograms. They stand at different distances from the shore, all facing the horizon where the Mersey meets the Irish Sea, and the tide changes the work every hour. At low tide they march out across the sand, some half buried, some rusted and covered in barnacles. At high tide only the heads of the nearest ones appear above the waves. The installation is called Another Place, and it arrived in 2005 after being shown in Germany, Norway and Belgium, before the people of Merseyside persuaded the council to keep it permanently. Many visitors find it quietly moving, with the figures looking like a crowd of watchers or travellers, and the big skies, the ships on the shipping channel and the wind turbines on the horizon complete the scene. Dressing the figures is allowed, and you often see scarves and hats.
How to visit
Crosby is on the Merseyrail Northern Line, about twenty-five minutes from the city centre, and the beach is a short walk from the station at Blundellsands and Crosby or from Hall Road. A flat, well-surfaced promenade runs beside the beach, free of motor traffic, so you can see the figures from above, and steps and ramps lead down to the sand.
The installation is free, and you can see it at any time of day and in any weather. There are cafés and facilities nearby, including the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, so you do not need to bring everything with you.
Tides and safety
This is the most important part of a visit. The beach has soft sand and mud, and the furthest figures should not be approached on foot. At high tides the figures are underwater for roughly an hour either side of high tide, and beach access is not possible.
At lower tides most or all of the figures are visible. Check the tide times before you travel, follow warning signs and instructions from lifeguards and coastguards, and stay close to the promenade. Keep children and dogs well away from the mud, and do not walk out to the far figures.
What to expect
Allow one to two hours for a walk along the promenade and down to the nearest figures, and longer if you enjoy photography. Sunrise and sunset are the most dramatic times, when the light turns the iron red and the sky fills with colour, and a stormy day gives a different, powerful mood. Wrap up warmly because the wind off the sea is strong, and wear shoes that can get muddy.
Making the most of it
Combine Crosby with a morning in the city or with a trip to Formby or Southport on the same line. It also fits well with a Beatles day, as it is a very different side of Merseyside, and children love searching for the figure that looks most like them. Remember to take your litter home, and be gentle with the birds that feed on the shore.
What to expect
The experience
A free walk beside one hundred iron figures on a wide beach, seen from a flat promenade or from the sand near the shore.
Best time
Sunrise or sunset at a lower tide, when the light is dramatic and most figures are visible.
How long
One to two hours, plus about twenty-five minutes each way by train.
Tips
Check tide times before you travel, stay close to the promenade and do not walk out to the far figures because of soft sand and mud.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, art lovers and anyone who wants a free, atmospheric half-day outside the city centre.
- Families
- Children love spotting the figures, but keep them well away from the mud and the incoming tide.
- Couples
- A romantic walk at sunset along the promenade with the ships on the horizon.
- Pair with
- A morning in the city centre, or a trip to Formby or Southport on the same train line.
- Time needed
- One to two hours, plus travel.
Good questions
Is Crosby Beach free to visit?+
Yes, seeing Another Place is free and the figures can be viewed at any time. There is no admission charge and no booking is needed.
How many iron men are there at Crosby Beach?+
There are one hundred cast iron figures, each weighing about 650 kilograms. They are spread along more than three kilometres of beach.
Is it safe to walk out to the figures?+
Stay close to the promenade and do not walk out to the furthest figures because of soft sand and mud. At high tide the beach can be cut off, so check tide times first.
How do I get to Crosby Beach from Liverpool?+
Take the Merseyrail Northern Line towards Southport and get off at Blundellsands and Crosby or Hall Road, then walk to the beach. The journey takes about twenty-five minutes.
Can you photograph or dress the figures?+
Personal photographs are welcome and dressing the figures is allowed. Images cannot be used for commercial purposes without permission from Sefton Council.
