Situated alongside Crosby Beach, Crosby Marina & Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre promises a wide array of things to do for all the family.
Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre is a state-of-the-art leisure facility that offers a multitude of watersports such as kayaking, sailing and windsurfing, whilst The Lake House offers fantastic food and accommodation at the water’s edge.
With activities ranging from watersports on the marina for adventure seekers to playgrounds that delight kids and dining options like The Bus Yard and The Lake House, visitors of all ages will find something to enjoy.
Getting to Crosby Marina
Located just over 6 miles from Liverpool City Centre, Crosby Marina is straightforward to get too with multiple transport links and ample parking available on site.
Parking at Crosby Marina
You have a couple of choices with regard to parking when visiting the marina and Lakeside Adventure Centre.
If you wish to avoid paying for parking you can try and find a nearby parking spot on either Marine Crescent or Marine Terrace road. Both roads run parallel to Crosby Marina and are just a short walk to both the marina and adventure centre.
Alternative parking can be found within the marina itself with a number of car parks available. Each car park is priced the same, with the pricing as follows:
Parking Time | Cost |
30 minutes | 40p |
Up to 2 hours | £1.10 |
Up to 4 hours | £2.10 |
Over 4 hours | £4.20 |
12-month season ticket | £40 |
The Marine Lake Car Park is the closest car park as you drive in from Cambridge Drive. If you’re planning on walking around the Marina onto the beach alongside Sefton Docks, then this car park is ideal.
Two further car parks can be found past Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, and are best suited if you are planning on visiting the centre, the playground or walking north along the promenade on Crosby Beach.
Getting to Crosby Marina by Train
Waterloo train station is the closest train station to Crosby Marina and is about a 5-7 minute walk from the station to the marina.
You can get the train to Waterloo directly from Liverpool Central or Moorfields, with the train journey taking around 15 – 18 minutes on average.
Things to do at Crosby Marina
Playground & Fairground
Crosby Marina is home to a large playground, featuring a zip wire, tire swings, slides etc. There is also a smaller play area aimed at younger children with baby swings, climbing frame and slide. Being close to the water’s edge makes it a nice spot to sit and relax whilst the children are busy.
A funfair often operates in Crosby Marina during the school holidays in warmer months. You can expect to find a range of family-friendly rides and inflatables, hook-a-duck, hot food van and refreshments. Rides are pay as you go, so whilst this may work out rather expensive for larger groups, it’s a good option to spend a short while and treat the kids whilst visiting the marina.
Get Some Food & Drink
There are a few options for food and drink if you’re in the Crosby Marina area. As you enter Crosby Coastal Park from the Marine Terrace entrance, you will see Waterloo Sunset Cafe, a coffee shop serving breakfast and lunch options in addition to a range of cakes and desserts.
The Lake House restaurant is a great spot to stop and admire the views across the lake; with floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace at the shoreside. Here you can find breakfast, lunch and dinner options to suit everyone, or you can pop in and enjoy a drink on the terrace. You can find the full menu on The Lake House website.
The Bus Yard is situated on the promenade at Crosby Beach, in close proximity to the marina. This pop-up bar and restaurant is open during warmer months and features a double-decker bus that provides seating with a view.
We’d definitely recommend visiting The Bus Yard for a drink or bite to eat. The menu offers brunch, dinner and Sunday options, including burgers, burgers and loaded fries. There is also undercover seating such as cosy beach huts for when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
In addition to these options, South Road and the rest of Waterloo is a short walk away where you will find a range of restaurants, bars, cafes and takeaway options.
Watersports
Crosby Marina has a wide array of watersports for you to enjoy. See below for more information. Please note, all activities are subject to weather so we would recommend contacting reception on 0151 966 6868 or checking on their social media for updates, if unsure.
Throughout the year Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre run Pay & Play sessions offering a variety of watersport activities for all the family to enjoy. Booking is not essential, although we would advise it during peak times such as the summer holidays. Visitors can also bring along their own paddleboard and pay a £13.50 lake launch fee for the day.
Activity | Price |
Open Canoe | £12 per hour |
Mini-Ports | £15 for 30 mins |
Double Sit on Kayak | £16 per hour |
Single Sit on Kayak | £12 per hour |
Stand up Paddle Board | £12 per hour |
Rowing Boat | £20 per hour |
Giant S.U.P (U18 accompanied by adults, max 8 people) | £80 per hour |
Katakanu (Max 6 people) | £20 per hour |
Day | Opening Times |
Saturday | 12pm – 4pm |
Sunday | 10am – 4pm |
*Monday- Fridays *During Holidays | 11am – 7pm |
Open-water swimming sessions take place from April – September. There is no need to book, you can just turn up and pay at reception. You can see the schedule below:
Days | Time | Price (All Sessions) |
Monday | 6pm – 7.45pm | £7 for non-members |
Wednesday | 6pm – 7.45pm | Free to Active Sefton members |
Saturday | 10am – 11.45am | £5 for Mersey Tri members |
Walk Along Crosby Beach
Once you’ve explored Crosby Marina, continue your walk towards Crosby Beach and check out Anthony Gormley’s Iron Men.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not take on the Sefton Coastal Path (or part of it)? The path passes through Hightown, Formby Woods and Ainsdale, before finishing in Southport.
Crosby Marina FAQs
Can you swim in Crosby Marina?
Throughout the summer, Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre holds open-water swimming sessions. There is no need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
Can you paddle board at Crosby Marina?
Yes, stand up paddle boarding costs £12 per hour. Visitors can also launch their own paddle boards on the lake for a daily fee of £13.50.
Can you kayak at Crosby Marina?
Yes, kayaking sessions start from £12 for a single and £16 for a double kayak.