Ribble and Alt Estuaries (protected area)
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Aerial view of the Ribble Estuary | |
Location in Lancashire Location in Merseyside | |
| Location | Merseyside and Lancashire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SD375240 |
| Coordinates | 53°43′N 2°58′W / 53.71°N 2.97°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 9226.3 hectares, 22,798.2 acres (92,261,000 m2) |
| Notification | 1966 (Southport Sanctuary) 1976 (Ribble Estuary) 1984 |
| Designated | 28 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 extends along the coastline between Crosby and Lytham St Annes.
These protected areas overlap with two separate sites of special scientific interest, Ribble Estuary and Sefton Coast.