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Blackpool and the Lancashire coast
Blackpool's Tower, piers and tramway, and Lancaster and Morecambe on the bay to the north
Blackpool is a seaside resort on the Fylde coast of Lancashire. Its seafront runs for miles between the three Victorian piers, with the Blackpool Tower of 1894 in the middle and Pleasure Beach, founded in 1896, at the southern end. The tramway, opened in 1885 and one of the oldest electric tramways in the world, runs along the whole Promenade. Each autumn the Illuminations light six miles of the seafront.
Further north, Lancaster is a small historic city on the River Lune, with a castle that was a working prison until 2011, Georgian streets and museums. Morecambe, four miles west of Lancaster, faces the wide sands of Morecambe Bay, with the Art Deco Midland Hotel and the Eric Morecambe statue on its promenade. This guide has two parts: Blackpool, and Lancaster and Morecambe.
- Blackpool Tower518 ft (158 m)Opened on 14 May 1894; the Tower Buildings are Grade I listed
- Illuminations 2026dal 4 set 2026 al 3 gen 2027Six miles of lights from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road, according to Visit Blackpool
- Blackpool tramway12 milesStarr Gate to Fleetwood Ferry along the seafront, according to Visit Blackpool
- Lancaster CastleGuided tours onlyTours run daily except over Christmas; tickets are sold on the day, not in advance
Zone
2 places to begin
Each area has its own mini guide with 31 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay across the city.
Blackpool
The Tower, three Victorian piers, Pleasure Beach and the Illuminations, linked by the seafront tramway
Apri la mini guida →
Lancaster and Morecambe
A historic city with a castle and museums, and a seaside town on the sands of Morecambe Bay
Apri la mini guida →Luoghi da vedere
Highlights across Blackpool and the Lancashire coast
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
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.
Lancaster Castle
Medieval castle on the site of Roman forts, a prison until 2011, where the Pendle Witches were tried; interiors by guided tour only.
Pleasure Beach Resort
Amusement park on the South Shore founded in 1896, with roller coasters including the Big One, family rides and Nickelodeon Land.
Lancaster Priory
Grade I listed parish church of Lancaster, the Priory Church of St Mary, next to the castle; it holds free concerts.
North Pier
Blackpool's oldest and longest pier, opened in 1863; free to enter and the quietest of the three, with bars along it.
Judges' Lodgings
Lancaster's oldest town house, built around 1625, later home to visiting assize judges; Gillows furniture and a Museum of Childhood.
Central Pier
Pier of 1868 closest to the Tower, known for its big wheel; entry is free, with charges only for rides and shows.
Lancaster City Museum
City history from prehistory to today in the Georgian former town hall on Market Square, with the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
Foto
1 / 12With kids in Blackpool and the Lancashire coast
Animal attractions, railways, science centres, beaches and caves from our Blackpool and the Lancashire coast guide, grouped by type. We hold no age ratings or child prices: check each place’s own site for age limits, height rules and family tickets.
Animals and wildlife
- SEA LIFE BlackpoolAquarium, Blackpool
Blackpool ZooZoo, Blackpool
Railways, trams and rides
- Blackpool Model Village and GardensModel village, Blackpool
Practical help: travelling with children and where to stay in Blackpool and the Lancashire coast.
Come arrivare
Arriving in Blackpool and the Lancashire coast
Blackpool and Lancaster are both on the rail network and close to the M6. Preston, on the West Coast Main Line, is the usual place to change for Blackpool. Check the operators for current timetables and fares.
Train to Blackpool
Visit Blackpool says Avanti West Coast runs direct trains from London and Birmingham to Blackpool, and that there are also direct trains to Blackpool North from Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Liverpool Lime Street and York. From Glasgow and Edinburgh, change at Preston.
Train to Lancaster and Morecambe
Lancaster station is on the West Coast Main Line between London and Scotland, with local trains to Morecambe, Heysham and Carnforth and links to Leeds and Manchester. Visit Lancaster and Morecambe Bay says there is a regular train between Manchester Airport and Lancaster.
Coach and bus
National Express coaches stop at Blackpool Central coach station, behind Coral Island. Buses 61 and 68 run between Preston and Blackpool, the 68 by way of Lytham St Annes. Lancaster and Morecambe bus stations are served by Stagecoach and National Express.
In auto
For Blackpool, leave the M6 at junction 32 for the M55, which runs almost to the seafront. For Lancaster, use junction 33 and the A6; junction 34 and the Bay Gateway lead to Morecambe.
Routes on this page are as the official visitor sites describe them, checked on 3 November 2026. We do not publish timetables, journey times or fares.
Blackpool trams
Trams run the length of the seafront from Starr Gate to Fleetwood Ferry, and a short branch now links Blackpool North station with the Promenade. Fares can be paid by contactless card; 3-day and 7-day tickets cover buses and trams.
Buses in Blackpool
Blackpool Transport buses serve the town and the attractions away from the seafront, such as Stanley Park (route 18) and the Zoo and Model Village (routes 2, 2C and 5).
Lancaster and Morecambe
Both towns are easy to walk. Frequent Stagecoach buses link Lancaster and Morecambe, and traffic-free cycle paths follow old railway lines and the canal towpath; Morecambe has over five miles of flat promenade.
Quando andare
Blackpool and the Lancashire coast through the year
Blackpool is busiest in the school summer holidays and on autumn evenings while the Illuminations are lit. Some attractions open only in season, so check before you travel.
The beaches, piers and outdoor rides are at their busiest. Blackpool beach is tidal: Visit Blackpool says you have about three hours either side of low tide on the sand.
The Illuminations run from 4 September 2026 to 3 January 2027. Lancaster Castle tours carry on all winter, on shorter weekday hours.
Seasonal places reopen: the Blackpool Model Village opened on 28 March in 2026, and the Morecambe Winter Gardens tours start at Easter.
Free light show along six miles of the Promenade, from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road.
Visit Blackpool →FAQ
Da sapere prima di partire
Is the Blackpool Illuminations free?
Yes. Visit Blackpool describes the Illuminations as a free light show along the Promenade. The 2026 season runs from 4 September 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Can I walk on the beach at any time in Blackpool?
No. Blackpool is a tidal resort and at high tide the sea reaches the promenade steps. Visit Blackpool says you have about three hours either side of low tide; check the tide times before you go.
Do I need to book Lancaster Castle tours?
No, and you cannot: the castle sells tour tickets on site on the day, first come first served. The courtyards are free to enter; the interiors are seen on a guided tour.
Can I walk across Morecambe Bay?
Only with an official guide. Visit Lancaster and Morecambe Bay warns that the sands can be dangerous, with fast tides and quicksand, so never go far out on your own.
Is the Eden Project in Morecambe open?
Not yet. Visit Lancaster and Morecambe Bay says construction began in 2026 and the Eden Project Morecambe is planned to open in late 2028.
How do I get from Manchester to Blackpool?
Visit Blackpool lists direct trains to Blackpool North from Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. By car, take the M6 to junction 32 and the M55.
Nearby places
Guides near Blackpool and the Lancashire coast
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Crediti fotografici
- Blackpool and the Lancashire coast (header): Michael D Beckwith, CC0, source
- Blackpool: Michael D Beckwith from England, CC0, source
- Lancaster and Morecambe: Secretlondon, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Blackpool Tower: Ronald Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lancaster Castle: Rwendland, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Pleasure Beach Resort: BlackpoolJC91, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lancaster Priory: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- North Pier: Mayašleča, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Judges' Lodgings: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Central Pier: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- Lancaster City Museum: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- South Pier: Jon's pics (Jon Bennett) profile at Flickr website, CC BY 2.0, source
- Williamson Park and the Ashton Memorial: Mark Longair from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Winter Gardens: Vuvar1 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Lancaster Cathedral: The wub, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Grand Theatre: Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0, source
- Lune Aqueduct: Stevekraken, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Showtown: FromTheElectricComic, CC0, source
- Lancaster Grand Theatre: Peter Bond, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Comedy Carpet: Stephen McKay, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Eric Morecambe statue: John M Wheatley, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Madame Tussauds Blackpool: Adrian Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Stone Jetty: JThomas, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Pianifichi con cura
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