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Blackpool’s life as a holiday resort took off in the 19th century during the industrial revolution when it became more accessible to the Mill workers of Yorkshire and Lancashire with the advent of the railways. During “factory week”. Thousands would flock to the beaches and piers on the newly laid railway lines, to enjoy the sunshine or walk on the piers. Blackpool was also the first place to have electric street lighting (1879).
Blackpool is famous for its many attractions which include the Blackpool Tower, the numerous ‘penny arcades’ and amusements along the Golden Mile, it’s commercial tram system and it’s Pleasure Beach theme park. Blackpool has three piers, North pier (built 1863) which is regarded as Britain’s oldest mainland pier, Central Pier (1868) and South Pier(1894).
In short, you will never be short of anything to do in this busy resort !
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Places to visit
Blackpool Tower, Tower Ballroom & Circus
Blackpool Tower was built in 1894 at a cost of £42,000 and stands 518 feet tall (158m). Take the lift to the top for a wonderful view out to sea and of the surrounding area. The top of the tower now has a section of glass flooring with a view to the ground appropriately named “the walk of faith”. The tower is lit up during the Blackpool illuminations season which runs from August until the end of October. At the foot of the tower is Blackpool’s famous Circus (Best UK circus 2001) and the Tower Ballroom where you can dance and have afternoon tea. It also has one of the most famous Wurlitzer organs in Britain. In addition, there is the spectacular Undersea World and Charlie Cairoli exhibition, plus a children’s dinosaur ride
Opening Hours:
10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. to Spring Bank Holiday (Saturdays until 11.00 p.m.), then daily until 11.00 p.m.
Location : Situated on Central Promenade in the town centre.
Contact : Blackpool Tower, Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4BJ.
Telephone: 01253 622242
www.theblackpooltower.co.uk/
Blackpool Tramway
The famous Blackpool Corporation Tramway system runs for 12 miles from Starr Gate in the South to Fleetwood in the North. It is one of the oldest electric tram systems in the world and is the only surviving first generation tram system. The oldest part of the tram system, along the main promenade, was opened in 1885.
http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/services/atoz/bustram.htm
http://www.blackpooltransport.com/
Pleasure Beach
Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Theme Park was first opened in 1896. It now has over 150 rides to suit all ages including the Pepsi Max Rollercoaster standing 213 feet tall and built in 1994.
Pleasure Beach is a free entry amusement park, with rides paid for either by tokens or wristbands at various booths located throughout the park (so if rides are not your thing, you can still go in for free!). There is also entertainment with the Hot Ice Show.
Opening Hours:
Open Mar, Nov, Sat, Sun; 23 Apr-3 Nov, daily.
Location : Situated just to the South of South Pier
Contact : (0870) 444 5566
www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/HTML/index.php
Blackpool Zoo
Located 2 miles from the Sea front at Blackpool, the zoo is home to more than 1500 exotic animals that include lions, tigers, Asian elephants, gorillas, reptiles and exotic birds in 32 acres of mature parkland and lakes. Take a ride on the miniature railway or take a walk through Lemur Wood.
Opening Hours: Open daily all year round with exception of Christmas Day 10:00am with last admission 45 minutes before Zoo closes.
Location : Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP.
Contact : (01253) 830830
www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/basecamp/index.html
Stanley Park
One of Blackpool’s great secrets is Stanley Park, which covers 256 acres of gardens, with bowling greens, tennis courts, formal gardens, 26 metre clock tower, bandstand, a children's play area, model village and an excellent boating lake where you can hire a rowing boat or a motor boat. The park was opened in 1926. As a child I spent many a weekend walking through the park with it’s beautiful flower borders and fountains or enjoying a game of crazy golf. All cemented by driving a motor boat on the vast lake for half an hour. Great fun for kids! If you visit Blackpool, don’t miss a visit to Stanley Park.
Location : West Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 9HQ (Near to Blackpool Zoo)
Contact : (01253) 478470
Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool Illuminations runs each Autumn and presents a wonderful light show from Bispham in the North to Starr Gate in the South. The ideal view is from a Blackpool Corporation tram, especially if it is an illuminated tram! First created in 1912 as a means to extend the holiday season by an extra 8 weeks, the illuminations have become a tradition and present a vast display of fairy tale models and signs, the centrepiece of which is the illumination of the Tower.
Other things to see and do:
Louis Tussauds Waxworks - 89 Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5AA - Phone: 01253 625953
Sea Life Centre – Located on Central Promenade http://www.sealife.co.uk/
Winter Gardens – located behind the Tower
World of Coronation Street - a homage to Britain’s best loved TV Soap – South Promenade
Farmer Parrs Animal World - Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood. 01253 874389 or 01253 770484
Freeport Fleetwood Outlet Village - Anchorage Rd, Fleetwood FY7 6AE 01253 877377
Getting There
Nearest Airport: Blackpool International Airport
http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/
Nearest Rail Stations: Blackpool North / Blackpool South / Blackpool Pleasure Beach http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Driving: From the M6, take the M55 to conclusion for central car parks, or Fleetwood exit for North/South Shores
Other links:
http://www.visitblackpool.com/
To find hotels in Blackpool click Here |
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