Ribble and Alt Estuaries

Ribble Estuary
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Aerial view of the Ribble Estuary
Location in Lancashire
Location in Merseyside
LocationMerseyside and Lancashire
Grid referenceSD375240
Coordinates53°43′N 2°58′W / 53.71°N 2.97°W / 53.71; -2.97
InterestBiological
Area9226.3 hectares, 22,798.2 acres (92,261,000 m2)
Notification1966 (Southport Sanctuary)
1976 (Ribble Estuary)
1984
Designated28 November 1985
Reference no.325
Natural England website

The estuaries of the River Ribble and River Alt lie on the Irish Sea coasts of Lancashire and Merseyside in North West England. Together they, and the area of salt marsh, mudflats, and sand dunes between them, form a Special Protection Area and Ramsar site which covers the coastline between Crosby and Lytham St Annes. These protected areas overlap with two sites of special scientific interest, Ribble Estuary and Sefton Coast.