About Sefton

Sefton is a confident, distinctive and well-connected borough in the heart of the Liverpool City Region. Stretching from Bootle in the south to the coastal resort of Southport in the north, it brings together thriving urban centres, historic coastal towns, attractive villages and expansive natural landscapes.

Home to more than 275,000 residents, Sefton encompasses a range of vibrant communities including Bootle, Litherland, Seaforth, Crosby, Formby, Maghull and Southport. As the northern-most borough within the Liverpool City Region, Sefton offers a unique blend of coastline, countryside, thriving industrial areas and the busy Port of Liverpool. This mix of place, opportunity and connectivity makes it a fantastic place to live, work, invest and visit.

A Place of Enterprise and Regeneration

Sefton plays a central role in the region’s economy. The Port of Liverpool, located on the borough’s southern boundary, is one of the UK’s busiest ports and a major driver of trade, logistics and associated industries. Surrounding industrial areas support a strong employment base and contribute to the borough’s growing economic resilience.

In the north, Southport is a nationally recognised visitor destination and a key part of Sefton’s growing visitor economy. The town attracts millions of visitors each year to its events, attractions and coastline.

Sefton is also investing significantly in its future. The £37 million Southport Town Deal is delivering transformative projects including a new Marine Lake Events Centre and major public realm improvements to strengthen the town’s position as a leading coastal resort. In Bootle, a long-term regeneration programme is revitalising the town centre with new commercial, leisure and housing opportunities. Together, these programmes reflect the borough’s ambition to diversify its economy, attract investment and deliver inclusive, sustainable growth.

Bootle is also bidding to become the first ever UK Town of Culture 2028. Read more here.

Connections That Keep Sefton Moving

Sefton offers excellent transport infrastructure, making it an accessible and practical place to live and work. The Merseyrail network links the borough’s towns directly to Liverpool city centre in under 20 minutes, while national rail connections provide access to Manchester and London.

The motorway network, including the M57, M58 and M62, connects Sefton efficiently with the wider North West. Both Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport are within an hour, providing extensive domestic and international travel options.

These strong transport links also place some of the UK’s most popular destinations within easy reach, including the Lake District and North Wales, making Sefton ideally positioned for both business connectivity and leisure travel.

A Borough of Culture, Coast and Countryside

Sefton’s identity is shaped by its extraordinary coastline and vibrant cultural life. With 22 miles of beaches stretching along the Irish Sea, the borough is one of the UK’s leading coastal destinations. Its landscape ranges from the dramatic sand dunes at Formby to Crosby’s world-famous Antony Gormley installation Another Place. These protected dunes and coastal habitats support several rare species and form part of an internationally important natural environment.

Beyond the coastline, Sefton offers nature reserves, parks and National Trust landscapes that provide opportunities for relaxation, recreation and wellbeing. The borough is also home to world-class leisure assets including a renowned racecourse and prestigious golf courses.

Culture and events play a major role in Sefton’s identity. Southport hosts the nationally celebrated Southport Flower Show alongside food and drink festivals, music events and seasonal celebrations. Theatres, galleries and community venues across the borough ensure a diverse cultural offer that enriches everyday life.

Communities at the Heart

While each town and village in Sefton has its own distinctive character, it is the people who make the borough truly special. Diverse, welcoming and energetic communities create places where people want to live, work, invest and visit. The voluntary and community sector plays a vital role, working alongside the Council and partners to improve health, wellbeing and inclusion. Engagement with residents and stakeholders has been central to shaping regeneration plans, ensuring that Sefton’s future reflects the ambitions and priorities of its communities.

Sefton offers a wide range of living environments — from vibrant town centres and friendly commuter towns to picturesque villages and stunning coastal locations. With house prices and rents typically lower than in neighbouring Liverpool and Manchester, residents can enjoy coastal living while remaining close to the energy and opportunity of major cities.

Committed to inclusive growth and community wellbeing, Sefton is a borough where people can thrive both personally and professionally.