Destination guides > Europe > England > Northwest England > Lancashire > Blackpool
Blackpool
More than any other seaside resort, Blackpool typifies the tacky English seaside resort. There is nothing tasteful about Blackpool, which is cluttered with souvenir shops, fast food restaurants, and amusement arcades and it is dominated by Blackpool Tower and the Blackpool Pleasure Beach amusement park with its roller coasters and sideshows. Although there is nothing quaint about this city, it can be a lot of fun and is worth visiting to see how cheerfully tacky it really is.
Blackpool is also famous for its illuminations, which take place each year between September and early November when the tower and 8km of the Promenade is lit with bright lights.
Practical information
Blackpool Tourist Information Centre
1 Clifton Street, Blackpool
Tel (01253) 478 222
Website www.visitblackpool.com
Open Jan-Apr Mon-Sat 8.45am-4.45pm; May-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 8.45am-4.45pm
Coming & going
AIR
Blackpool's small airport has Jet2 flights from Belfast, Geveva and several destinations in Spain. The airport is only 4km south of the town centre. Buses 7 and L1 stop outside the terminal building and the tram and Squires Gate train station are nearby.
BUS & COACH
Local buses go to destinations throughout Lancashire and neighbouring counties and include the X61 bus to Manchester and National Express coaches go to Birmingham and London.
TRAIN
Blackpool has several train stations accessed by a branch line from Preston that splits in two running to Blackpool North and Blackpool South. Blackpool North is the best station for the city centre but Pleasure Beach Station is on the Blackpool South line.
Northern has trains to Liverpool and Manchester and and First TransPennine Express trains go to Manchester; change at Preston for trains north to Lancaster, the Lake District and Scotland.
Local transport
Metro Coastlines run bus and tram services in the Blackpool area. The tram, which runs between the city centre and Pleasure Beach, is probably the easiest way to get around although bus L1 runs along a similar route. A Blackpool Transport Travelcard costs £5.95 for one day, £15 for three days, £21 for five days and £23 for seven days unlimited bus and tram travel in the Blackpool area.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Blackpool Tower
Looking like a low budget replica of the Eiffel Tower, the 171m-high Blackpool Tower was erected in 1894 by a London businessman impressed by the original, which he saw in Paris in 1880. At the base of the tower is an eclectic collection of garish attractions including amusement arcades, a casino, aquarium and a Victorian ballroom.
Promenade, Blackpool
Train Blackpool North Tram Bus 5, 6, 7, 11, 14
Tel (01253) 292 029
Website www.theblackpooltower.co.uk
Admission £13.95
Open 3 Jul-7 Nov 10am-11pm daily
Pleasure Beach
This big amusement park boasts 13 roller coasters, which include historic wooden ones such as the Big Dipper and Grand National and the more modern Big One, Europe's tallest rollercoaster at 72m and its fastest, reaching speeds of 140km/h.
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool
Train Pleasure Beach Tram Bus 2, L1
Tel 0870 444 5566
Website www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com
Admission free, but charge for individual rides; all day unlimited ride pass £30; two-day unlimited ride pass £45; seven-day unlimited ride pass £90
Open Mar-Nov opening times vary, call Tel 0870 444 5566 for current opening times
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