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Crosby Beach and Its 100 Naked Men: The Best Beach in the World?

Ever Prel on Crosby Beach with Antony Gormley's naked iron men statue in the background on a sunny day.

Welcome to Crosby Beach, where 100 naked men stand proudly, seemingly unaware of their serious lack of modesty. Antony Gormley’s Another Place artwork has transformed the beach into an open-air gallery, with these statues staring out at the sea in all their exposed glory.

This striking blend of Liverpool’s artistic spirit, industrial past and maritime history has become a defining feature of Waterloo’s identity and undeniable source of local pride. And who can blame them?

Better yet, Crosby Beach is only a short train ride away, making it one of the easiest day trips from Liverpool.

With 100 naked men standing tall, it’s hard not to be interested in this one-of-a-kind beach!

Table of Contents

How to Get to Crosby

Train
20m
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Car
30m
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Bus
45m
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Direct Merseyrail Northern Line services from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands & Crosby, followed by a 5 to 10 minute walk to the beach. Check times & book →
Around a 30-minute drive from Liverpool city centre via the A565. Get directions →
Regular buses from Liverpool city centre to Crosby (routes 26, 27), followed by a short walk to the beach. Plan your journey →
Train
30m
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Car
30m
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Bus
1h15
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Direct Merseyrail Northern Line services from Southport to Blundellsands & Crosby, followed by a 5 to 10 minute walk to the beach. Check times & book →
Straightforward 30-minute drive via the A565. Get directions →
Bus services from Southport with at least one change depending on the time of day. Journey planner available. Plan your journey →
Train
1h30
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Car
1h15
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Bus
2h30
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Services from Manchester Piccadilly to Blundellsands & Crosby, usually changing at Stockport then Liverpool Lime Street. Check times & book →
Via the M62 and M57, with the final stretch following local roads to Crosby Beach. Allow extra time for peak hours. Get directions →
Coach and bus options available but usually require changes. National Express and local operators serve this route. Plan your journey →
Train
2h30
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Car
1h30
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Bus
3h
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Services from Blackpool North or South to Liverpool Lime Street (changing connections available), then Merseyrail to Blundellsands & Crosby. Check times & book →
Follow the M55, M6, and M58 before joining local roads into Crosby. Allow around 1 hour 30 minutes; journey time can vary significantly with traffic. Get directions →
Bus and coach services from Blackpool involve one or more changes. Stagecoach and National Express operate key routes on this corridor. Plan your journey →

The History of The Naked Men

Anthony Gormley’s Bold (and Bare) Vision

In 2005, Anthony Gormley introduced Another Place at Crosby Beach: 100 statues of his naked and most vulnerable self, scattered across a public beach in the north of England. Now, it’s one thing to create a statue of yourself, but quite another to make 100 iron versions of your bare body and then place them on a cold, windswept beach in Liverpool.

One of Antony Gormley's cast-iron Another Place figures standing in the sand at Crosby Beach, tide out, overcast sky

While I applaud this audacious and daring decision, I am still left wondering why someone would choose to immortalise their naked self in the most exposed and vulnerable way, and in the most public of places.

And here’s where it gets even better: despite Gormley’s bold move, Crosby Beach isn’t exactly a nudist haven. In fact, public nudity is strictly off-limits, unless, of course, you’re an iron statue. While visitors can’t exactly strip off and take a quick dip in the sea, these statues stand proudly in all their naked glory, seemingly exempt from the rules.

It seems that if you identify as a statue, you get to enjoy the freedom of nudity without any of the legal hassle. Talk about loopholes!

Before you visit the UK

Nothing is worse than landing somewhere new and searching for WiFi before you can even find your way. I recommend an eSIM so you can use maps and travel apps the moment you arrive.

Get an eSIM before you arrive so you can use maps, book transport and stay connected from day one.

Here is the eSIM I use →
Landing
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The Mystery of the Lost Statue

Did One Just Go for a Swim?

Local legend has it that one of Crosby Beach’s statues — let’s call him Jude — just walked into the ocean one stormy night and never came back. Was he fed up with standing still while seagulls used his head as target practice?

Did he grow tired of being the awkward third wheel on countless first dates? Or maybe he was simply bored of staring out at the same dull horizon day after day. After all that time, perhaps he decided it was time for a change of scenery.

Cast-iron figure from Antony Gormley's Another Place installation standing in the shallow tidal waters of Crosby Beach, Merseyside, facing the horizon under a partly cloudy sky

Jude’s Resignation: When Standing Still Wasn’t Enough

Of course, authorities claim that ‘coastal erosion’ and ‘tidal movements’ are behind the missing statue. But we know better. Jude had had enough. He’s out there now, probably heading for the Isle of Man, seeking adventure or perhaps a quieter life away from the crowds.

So if, one day, you’re strolling along Crosby Beach and notice only 99 men gazing out to sea — just nod, smile, and wish Jude well.

Visiting Crosby Beach

What to Expect When 100 Naked Men Are Watching You

As you stroll along Crosby Beach, you’ll find yourself surrounded by 100 naked men who are insanely hot, gazing into the distance with the sea as their only companion, completely unbothered by their nakedness. These statues stand tall in all their glory, as if their unapologetically badass selves owned every inch of the earth.

They won’t ghost you after the first date, won’t annoy you with stories about how their ex is so much better than you’ll ever be, and they will never — ever — tell you they can’t give up their dreams just to be with you. They’re just silently standing there, offering no drama, only loyalty.

Honestly, if these statues were men, they’d be the perfect boyfriend.

More Beaches Near Liverpool

Crosby is just the beginning. If you liked what you saw today, Merseyside has some surprisingly beautiful stretches of coastline still waiting to be explored.

Discover the best beaches in and near Liverpool

Frequently Asked Questions

Ask Ever!

What are the statues on Crosby Beach? +
The statues are Antony Gormley’s Another Place, an art installation of 100 life-sized cast-iron figures spread across Crosby Beach. Each one is modelled on the artist’s own body and faces out towards the sea.
Is Crosby Beach worth visiting? +
Absolutely. Between the famous statues, the wide sandy beach and the views across the Irish Sea, it’s one of the most unique places to visit near Liverpool. I think it’s well worth the trip, even if you’ve already seen photos.
Can you walk among the Crosby Beach statues? +
Yes, many of the statues can be reached on foot when the tide is out. Always check the tide times first, as some figures become surrounded by water and the incoming tide can be dangerous.
How do you get to Crosby Beach from Liverpool? +
The easiest way is by Merseyrail from Liverpool Central to Waterloo Station, followed by a short walk to the beach. The journey takes around 20 minutes.
Can you swim at Crosby Beach? +
Swimming is not recommended. Crosby Beach has strong tides, areas of soft mud and sits beside one of the UK’s busiest shipping channels leading into the Port of Liverpool. It’s best enjoyed from the shore while exploring the beach and Antony Gormley’s sculptures.

Have you visited Crosby Beach? I’d love to hear what you thought of the famous statues in the comments below!

Ever Prel

Hi, I’m Ever! Originally from France, I moved to Scotland in 2023 and instantly fell in love with the British Isles. Passionate about photography, videography and adventure, I spend most of my time exploring these beautiful isles I call home. Join me on this journey and let’s discover the magic of the British Isles together!

2 COMMENTS

  • Daniel

    Hello Ever

    I met your wonderful mother (and your father…ask them) in an Albergue in Viana on the Camino Frances. Keep going with what you are doing

  • LarisaCof

    Wonderful, thank you!

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