As the weather gets warmer and the borough bursts into bloom, take a trip and explore one of the Hearts of Gold community heritage trails in Bootle, Formby or Netherton.
The National Heritage Lottery Funded Sefton CVS Sefton at 50 Hearts of Gold Project launched its community heritage trails last year to celebrate Sefton’s vibrant community heritage in recognition of the borough’s golden anniversary (1974-2024).
Local volunteers across Sefton have identified special people, places and events to create community heritage trails in Bootle, Netherton and Formby, celebrating local communities and people, beloved established institutions and charity, voluntary and faith groups.
There are wooden hearts located along the trail, crafted by Sefton-based wood sculptor, Simon Archer. Each heart features a unique QR code. Simply scan it with your smartphone to instantly unlock fascinating stories about that exact location and you can also share your own memories of the area to help keep the digital archive growing.
Trail Highlights to Look Out For:
- Bootle: Take a step back in time with a route that passes by the area’s oldest standing house and oldest pub.
- Formby: Deep-dive into coastal history with a visit to the brilliant Formby Heritage Centre.
- Netherton: Enjoy a scenic stroll packed with local history along the banks of the historic Leeds-Liverpool Canal.
Whether you fancy a weekend family walk or want to learn a bit more about the streets you walk every day, these trails are completely free and accessible to everyone.
To view the full maps and plan your route for the Formby, Bootle, or Netherton trails, visit the official project page: Hearts of Gold Sefton at 50 Trails.
