A mini guide to

Blackpool

The Tower, three Victorian piers, Pleasure Beach and the Illuminations, linked by the seafront tramway

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Welcome to the area

The Tower, three Victorian piers, Pleasure Beach and the Illuminations, linked by the seafront tramway

Blackpool's seafront runs south from North Pier, opened in 1863, past the Tower and Central Pier to South Pier and Pleasure Beach, the amusement park founded in 1896. The Blackpool Tower, opened in 1894, holds the Tower Ballroom, the Tower Circus and a viewing platform with a glass SkyWalk; Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE are close by on the Promenade. Entry to all three piers is free; you pay only for rides and shows.

Behind the seafront are the Winter Gardens (1878) and the Grand Theatre, designed by Frank Matcham, both still busy with shows. Showtown, the town's museum of entertainment, opened beside Coral Island. Inland, Stanley Park has about 104 hectares of gardens, a boating lake and woodland, with Blackpool Zoo and the Model Village on its edge. Trams run the full length of the Promenade, from Starr Gate to Fleetwood.

Highlights

Start here

If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.

Landmark and attractions

The Blackpool Tower

Victorian tower of 1894 with the Tower Ballroom, Tower Circus, a top-floor viewing platform with glass SkyWalk and Dino Mini Golf.

Directions Website Report a problem with The Blackpool Tower

Amusement park

Pleasure Beach Resort

Amusement park on the South Shore founded in 1896, with roller coasters including the Big One, family rides and Nickelodeon Land.

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Pier

North Pier

Blackpool's oldest and longest pier, opened in 1863; free to enter and the quietest of the three, with bars along it.

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Pier

Central Pier

Pier of 1868 closest to the Tower, known for its big wheel; entry is free, with charges only for rides and shows.

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Pier

South Pier

The smallest and youngest of the three piers, opened in 1893 as Victoria Pier; rides and amusements aimed at families.

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Theatre and entertainment venue

Winter Gardens

Grade II* listed entertainment complex opened in 1878, with the Opera House theatre, ballrooms and event halls.

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See all 16 things to do

Find your way

On the map

The map shows Blackpool and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.

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Insider tips

Before you go

Check the tide before the beach

Blackpool is a tidal resort: at high tide the sea reaches the promenade steps. Visit Blackpool says you have about three hours either side of low tide.

Use the tram, not your feet

Visit Blackpool points out that Pleasure Beach to the Tower is about three miles. Trams run the whole seafront and take contactless payment.

Buy a 3-day or 7-day ticket

Blackpool Transport's saver tickets cover both buses and trams; buy them on board, at PayPoint, in the app or at the Tourist Information Centre.

Combine attraction tickets

The Tourist Information Centre sells discounted tickets for Pleasure Beach, the Tower, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE and the Zoo, plus show tickets.

Tips from the Britlens editors

Explore this guide

Everything for Blackpool

Things to do16 places worth your time.Eat & drink15 places to eat and drink.Where to stay7 hotels and places to stay.Getting thereStops, stations and how to arrive.Tips & FAQsLocal tips and answers to questions.

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Photo credits

Blackpool (area photo): Michael D Beckwith from England, CC0, source
The Blackpool Tower: Ronald Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Pleasure Beach Resort: BlackpoolJC91, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
North Pier: Mayašleča, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Central Pier: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
South Pier: Jon's pics (Jon Bennett) profile at Flickr website, CC BY 2.0, source
Winter Gardens: Vuvar1 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
The Grand Theatre: Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, source
Showtown: FromTheElectricComic, CC0, source
Comedy Carpet: Stephen McKay, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Madame Tussauds Blackpool: Adrian Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Stanley Park: Terry Robinson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Blackpool Zoo: Airear, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Grundy Art Gallery: Barbara Carr, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Lancaster and Morecambe: Secretlondon, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits

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