Confirmed · Liverpool and Wirral · Landscape
Formby Beach
Margate beach where Tommy meets Alfie in Peaky Blinders. Open to visitors; allow 2–3 hours.
- On screen as
- Margate beach where Tommy meets Alfie
- Series and episodes
- Series 4 · Series 4, Episode 6
- Access
- Open to visitors
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Where
- Formby, Merseyside
On screen
How Formby Beach appears
In the final episode of series four, Tommy goes to the seaside to confront Alfie Solomons on a wide, empty beach that the story places at Margate in Kent. It was actually filmed at Formby, on the Sefton coast north of Liverpool. The long flat sands, grey sea and pale dunes suit the bleak, wintry mood of the scene. Because the dunes and shoreline here move constantly with wind and tide, you will not find the exact spot, but the character of the beach is unchanged.
The real place
What you can visit
Formby's beach, dunes and pinewoods are cared for by the National Trust and are one of the most popular stretches of coast in the North West. The pinewoods are known for red squirrels. Paths lead from the car park through the dunes to miles of open sand. The beach is free to walk, while the National Trust car park charges non-members. On busy summer weekends the car park can fill early. Check the Trust's page for current parking arrangements and any closures before setting out.
Stay on marked paths to protect the dunes and wildlife, keep dogs under control and take all litter home.
Liverpool Film Office: Peaky Blinders locations ↗Freshfield station on the Merseyrail Northern line is the closest stop; the walk to the beach through the pinewoods takes around half an hour or more. Drivers use the National Trust car park off Victoria Road. Paths through the dunes are sandy and uneven, with boardwalk on some routes. Check tide times before walking far along the shore.
Common questions
Planning a responsible visit
Was the Margate beach scene really filmed at Margate?
No. The beach where Tommy confronts Alfie in series four, episode six, was filmed at Formby in Merseyside.
How do I get to Formby Beach?
Take Merseyrail to Freshfield and walk through the pinewoods, or drive to the National Trust car park off Victoria Road. Parking charges apply to non-members.
Can I find the exact filming spot?
Not reliably. Formby's dunes and shoreline shift every year, so enjoy the beach as a whole rather than hunting for a particular frame.
Plan your visit
Build it into the day.
Combine with a morning in Liverpool city centre; Formby is about 30 minutes by Merseyrail from the centre.
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Map
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