Visit Blackpool UK
Blackpool is a seaside resort town in the North West of England.
Over 12 million people visit Blackpool each year, making it Britain’s number one holiday resort. Many come for the two largest attractions, Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Tower, although the town features many other smaller attractions including three piers, numerous amusement arcades, seven miles of beaches and pedestrian promenade, and a vibrant nightlife.
Following a heyday in the first half of the twentieth century as the working classes gained freedom and disposable income, Blackpool has struggled to find a new role with the advent of package holidays to the Mediterranean.
It has long used the Blackpool Illuminations light show to extend its tourist season into the autumn months, and has recently been campaigning the government to allow the redevelopment of its central seafront Golden Mile with Las Vegas-style casino hotels in an attempt to become a gambling haven.
While many tourists go to Blackpool nowadays for party weekends (often hen or stag groups), an older clientele enjoys the nostalgia of the town. The Tower Ballroom remains a global mecca for ballroom dancing and many remember Reginald Dixon playing his Wurlitzer organ with songs such as “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside” – synonymous with the town.
By Car
Can be reached via the M55 from the M6.
By bus
Local bus services run from Preston, Lancaster, Nelson, Southport and Fleetwood. Long distance bus services, and charters, run from virtually everywhere in Great Britain.
By train
The trains run to Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations from Preston, Nelson and many other destinations. Blackpool North is the main station but for a day trip to the Pleasure Beach, change at Kirkham and take the Blackpool South line; the last station before Blackpool South is the Pleasure Beach.
By plane
Blackpool has its own airport with scheduled flights to/from Alicante, Belfast, Dalaman, Faro, Ibiza, Isle of Man, Lanzarote, Majorca, Malaga, Murcia and Tenerife.
An increasing number of charter flights now operate from Blackpool Airport.
By tram
The Blackpool Tramway is an antique tramway which runs along the complete length of the sea front from Starr Gate (near Blackpool Airport) to Fleetwood at the northern end of the Fylde coast
By taxi
Horse-drawn “landaus” offer an old-fashioned alternative to modern taxis for journeys along the seafront.
Blackpool Tower, Victorian alike of the Eiffel Tower, the view from the top is worth seeing, but gets busy at the peak of the tourist season. Blackpool Tower is one of the famous towers in the UK. Once inside, you climb through seven levels of attractions, including a circus, bug zone, Out of This World, aquarium, and ballroom (for you film buffs, this is the lavish ballroom seen in the 1996 Japanese film Shall We Dance?), before going up in a glass elevator to the observation deck.
The inscription above the stage in Tower’s ballroom is from the poem Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare.
The Piers – Blackpool is the only British resort with three piers. The North pier is now free to go on, and is relaxed and has a sun trap area at the end. The central pier has the giant ferris wheel ride, as well as the usual dodgems and children’s rides.
There are also numerous stalls with stallholders who’ll aggressively cajole you regardless of your politeness. It also features a well regarded bar at the end of the pier. The South Pier is loud and busy, with a mixture of more modern rides featuring at the end of the pier including a temporary log flume ride. North Pier is the oldest and largest of the three coastal piers in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.
Pleasure Beach is perhaps Britain’s largest funfair, with eleven roller-coasters including the original Roller Coaster which gave the rides their name. This has been eclipsed by more modern coasters, including Britain’s tallest roller coaster ride the “Pepsi Max Big One” (more commonly known simply as “The Big One”) which is over 200 feet high. Other roller coasters include the Irn Bru Revolution and Big Dipper. Rides require 2-9 £1 tickets, or a £30 all day wristband, which is a few pounds cheaper when bought online.
As well as the adult rides, children’s rides area, and side stalls, the park also has some excellent architecture to see. The park began life as a funfair on the sands in the Victorian era, and by the 1930s some permanent buildings arrived in the style of the day – Art Deco. In particular don’t miss the station of the Roller Coaster ride, and the White Tower at the south entrance to the park, both of which have “streamline modern” influences just like some of the classic trams which operate on the seafront nearby. Make sure to check park opening hours prior to visiting to avoid disappointment, as they have been reduced drastically in recent years.
Shows
The Winter Gardens, Blackpool. – Many shows are happening at the Winter Gardens this year including Russell Brand and Blackpool Fringe
Blackpool Pleasure Beach- fun fair and roller coaster rides. New for 2011 Nickelodeonland themed on the TV Channels favourite characters
The Grand Theatre, A 1100-seat theatre designed by Frank Matcham in 1894. [9]
Go to watch the town’s long suffering football team Blackpool FC play at Bloomfield Road and witness their recent revival!
Dancing on Ice – a popular ice show located near black pool pleasure beach.
Have a donkey ride on the sands.
What’s on in Blackpool, [10] month by month view Blackpool Events
Blackpool Illuminations, [11]. Stretching for 6 miles along the Blackpool Promenade ‘The Lights’, as they’re fondly called, consist of spectacular displays using over one million light bulbs. A vast collection of characters and themes are displayed, along with lasers, and searchlights.
Blackpool Shows, [12] Details of shows in Blackpool for Opera House, Legends – Central Pier and Tower, North Pier, Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Tower
Eating Out
Fish and Chips. Chippies are everywhere in Blackpool. Along all the piers and the seafront it is impossible to walk along wthout passing dozens of chippies.
Harry Ramsden’s, 60-63 The Promenade, FY1 4QU, ☎ +44 1253 294386, [13]. 11:30 – 21:00 Sunday to Thursday. 22:00 close Friday and Saturday. Part of the “world famous” Harry Ramsden’s chain located on the promenade. Ideally located near many of Blackpool’s attractions and the sea front. Offers eat-in and take away services.
Mandarin, 27 Clifton Street, Blackpool, FY1 1JD, ☎ +44 1253 622687, [14]. Award winning Cantonese restaurant established over 46 years ago. A regular recommendation from hotel owners and taxi drivers. http://www.michaelwansmandarin.co.uk/contact/
West Coast Rock Cafe, 5-7 Abingdon St, FY1 1DG (Directly opposite the Winter Gardens), ☎ +44 1253 751283, [15]. A legendary Blackpool restaurant loved by the locals and visited by the stars! Winner of Restaurant of the Year 2009 & 2011. Great 100% Burgers, the best Steaks in town, succulent Barbecued Ribs, Chicken, Pizza, Pasta and loads more. Only place to go for Tex-Mex food for over 20 years. edit
Drinking
Black pool’s night life is varied and numerous. There are clubs and pubs to suit everybody who comes to Blackpool looking for an evening out, With so much going on in Blackpool it is difficult to decide where to go.
The famous Funny Girls transvestite show bar.
Blue Room, opposite Syndicate nightclub.
The Last Orders pub, in North Shore. Drink with the locals.
Syndicate superclub. largest nightclub in britain with a revolving dance floor.
Sanuk. Another popular nightclub with young people, on the front near the north pier
Tache. Blackpool’s alternative/rock night club. Behind blackpool bus station.
The Auctioneer, Lytham Road South Shore. A Wetherspoons favourite with its good value drinks and food.
Duple Club, 96 Bond Street South Shore Blackpool, ☎ +44 1253 341647. The Duple CIU club with it’s traditional Blackpool Bingo and nightly entertainment welcomes all guests to visit whilst in Blackpool. Good Value Drinks and a Friendly including families with children Welcome.
The Dutton Arms, Corner of Wateroo Road and the Promenade. The Dutton Arms is The Party Pub of South Shore. Popular DJ’s at the weekend and late closing. Unfortunately a large fire destroyed most of the building on 25 January 2010″ As of early July 2010 contractors have been seen undertaking refurbishment.
The Harold, 46 Bond Street, South Shore, Blackpool (From the promenade turn into Rawcliffe St (between Colonial & Queens Hotel) and we are directly infront of you, on the corner of Bond St & Rawcliffe St; close to both The Pleasure Beach & Blackpool FC Football Club.), ☎ +44 1253 408807. 10.00am – midnight/01.00am.
The Harold is South Shores premier venue for both locals and visitors to Blackpool. A fantastic line up of entertainment both day and night, with live bands on Saturday nights (limited during winter months Nov-Feb, please check details). No need for drinks promotions, cheap drinks all day/everyday and you don’t need to be a local – all customers are charged the same price.
The Albert and the Lion, Corner of Adelaide Street West and the Promenade. The JD Wetherspoons latest addition to Blackpool opened on 2nd July 2010 and can be found almost under the Blackpool Tower at the junction of The Promenade and Adelaide Street West. As always a Blackpool favourite with its competitively priced food and drinks.
Safety
Visits to Blackpool are generally incident-free. During Friday and Saturday nights, the busiest areas of the town centre such as Talbot Square and Queen Street can become very crowded and somewhat rowdy, but there is a large and generally good-natured police presence.
The sea front and piers are usually crowded at most times and are generally safe, but be aware of pickpockets and beggars. The streets off the promenade can be trouble spots, with numerous alleyways allowing opportunist thieves to surprise unwitting tourists.
At the higher end of things, Blackpool has a number of larger hotels, including the Imperial Hotel which is used by politicians during political party conferences which take place at the Winter Gardens.
Budget/affordability
The Sandpiper Bed and Breakfast, 20 Withnell Road, ☎ +44 1253 341910, [22]. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 10am. The Sandpiper Bed and Breakfast is situated in Blackpool’s South Shore, just a few hundred yards from the Promenade and Beach. Within an easy two minutes walk you can reach Blackpool’s most popular attractions including the Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterworld, the South Pier and G Casino.
The Sandpiper Bed and Breakfast offers great value accommodation for families and couples. All our rooms are spotlessly clean and comfortable and you can access the Bed and Breakfast and your room at all times. We serve a great cooked breakfast if required or a room only option if you prefer a lie in. Double rooms from £30.
The Chesterfield Hotel, ‘5 Wellington Road, ☎ +44 1253 345979,Friendly hotel just off The Central Promenade midway between Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, managed and owned by brother and sister Julie and Steve Clarke since 1990. 9 rooms in total – 2 of them are Family Rooms (up to 4 people) and the rest are doubles, all with toilet and shower facilities, freshly laundered bed-linen, colour TV and tea/coffee making facilities with unlimited free tea and coffee available every day. English Breakfast every morning.You can buy full three-meals course as well – it is £11.95 per adult or £5.95 per child. There is a bar lounge area in the basement which is open every night from 8pm till around midnight.with happy hour from 8pm till 9pm when most drinks are £1.80 a pint/35 ml spirit! Pets are welcome free of charge. Rooms are from £30. http://chesterfield-hotel.com.websitebuilder.prositehosting.co.uk/
The New Lyngarth, 55-57 Banks Street, ☎ +44 1253 622814, [24]. checkin: 13.30; checkout: 10.30. Recently refurbished situated in the gay quarter from £15.00.
Norbreck Castle Hotel Queen’s Promenade, Blackpool. A 480 Bedroom Hotel, set in a prime location on the Promenade, offering breathtaking views of the Irish Sea. Rooms from £25 a night.
Dave Hotel Blackpool Queens Promenade, Blackpool. Rooms from £20 a night.
Britannia Hotels Promenade, Blackpool Three hotels in Blackpool. Rooms from £30 a night. Near Pleasure Beach.
Robin Hood Hotel, at the St. Stephen’s Ave. tram stop, one block north. 10 rooms, Single £27, double £54. Rooms 1, 5, and 9 have sea views, relaxing lounge, non-smoking.
The Kimberley Hotel 585-589 New South Promenade, Tel: +44 1253 341184 [25] A 50 Bedroom Hotel, set in a prime location on the New South Promenade, offering breathtaking views of the Irish Sea. Rooms from £25 a night. This hotel hosts meetings of the far-right British National Party so may not be to the taste of non-white or gay tourists.
New Osborne House Hotel, 3 Trafalgar Road, FY1 6AW (near the South Shore), ☎ +44 1253 346444, [26]. Rooms from £20 a night.
Moorbank House, Tel: +44 1253 344385 [28] Moorbank House is a family B&B located on South Shore and ideally located for the Pleasure Beach and the Sandcastle. Single from £30, double from £40. Ground Floor rooms and free parking, relaxing lounge with licensed bar, non-smoking.
Getting out/Places to see
Take a tram north to Fleetwood, formerly one of the UK’s major fishing ports. Visit its famous market and go to the outlet mall called “Freeport”. If peacefulness is what is required then catch a bus or train to “Lytham” ,”Ansdell”,”Fairhaven” or “St Annes-on-sea”. Under the resort name of “Lytham St Annes”, These charming family seaside towns offer something clean, different and traditional to Blackpool.
Not too far away is Liverpool , a vibrant city with a great cultural heritage and a buzzing nightlife. The famous Liverpool One shopping district has an array of shops, bars and restaurants, and is close to the magnificent waterfront where you can visit the historical Albert Dock, see the world famous ‘Three Graces’, and take a ride on a ‘Ferry Across The Mersey’. Liverpool has a large number of museums and galleries, fine Victorian and Georgian buildings, and its two very contrasting cathedrals make it a great place to visit. In 2014 Liverpool was voted the third best destination in the world to visit by Trip Adviser, and fourth friendliest city in the world by Rough Guide.
https://www.oxfordlocals.com/city-culture-liverpool/
