Located on the Irish Sea coast of England in the county of Lancashire, Blackpool is one of the most popular UK seaside resorts.
It’s easily accessible via coach and train and a perfect quick getaway spot if you’re based in the North. So why not go for a change of scenery and visit this magical place?
Without further ado, I’ve written down a summary of all the best spots in Blackpool to add to your to-do list. 👇
1. Grundy Art Gallery
The Grundy Art Gallery is only a four-minute walk from Blackpool North Station and less than ten minutes away from the North Pier.
As part of the permanent collection of the gallery, you can find modern paintings, historic photographs and objects, jewellery, ceramics, souvenirs of Blackpool, and more. There are also contemporary visual art exhibitions featured in the gallery’s seasonal programme which can be found on their website here.
Entry is free but make sure you check out the opening times before visiting to avoid disappointment.
2. North Pier
Built over 150 years ago, the North Pier is the oldest and longest (500m) out of the three famous Blackpool piers.
When I first saw the place I immediately felt like I had time-traveled to the past. Although it had some modern elements to it as well as luxurious bars, I could still feel the Victorian charm and atmosphere all around me.
Open 24h a day, the North Pier offers something for everyone – from arcades and amusement rides to food and beverages.
3. Blackpool Tower
At a height of 518ft (158m), the Blackpool Tower is the most iconic and distinctive attraction at the resort. Its construction lasted approximately 3 years from 1891 to 1894 when it opened its doors to the public.
The building of the tower has several attractions including Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Circus, Blackpool Tower Dungeon, and Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Tickets are sold individually or in combination with other attractions in Blackpool such as Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE.
I bought a standard ticket to the Blackpool Tower Eye which featured a short 4D Cinema Experience and I absolutely loved it. The top of the tower gives you a breathtaking 360° view of the resort and is a must for photography enthusiasts and specialists.
Make sure you allocate enough time for your visit to the tower as lines for the elevators and the cinema can get quite long. You also wouldn’t want to rush taking a good look at Blackpool from all angles and taking the perfect pictures.
4. Central Pier
Pier Number two is Blackpool’s Central Pier, constructed in 1868 with a length of 339m. It’s in close proximity to the Blackpool Tower and 10-15min away from the North Pier.
While the North Pier is orientated more towards people who are looking for a relaxing spot with a nice view, the Central Pier’s emphasis is on the fun. As well as arcades, bars, and food stalls, the Central Pier has a giant Ferris wheel, a portrait studio, and a big entertainment centre.
This place is ideal for families with kids or anyone who would enjoy an authentic Fun Fair experience.
5. South Pier & Pleasure Beach
And if the fun stuff at Central Pier is not enough and you’re looking for a thrill, then South Pier and Pleasure Beach are for you.
Blackpool’s South Pier is the shortest but widest of all three piers, accommodating a range of different pavilions and amusement rides such as Crazy Mouse, Waltzer, bumper cars, Reverse Bungee, Skyscreamer, and more.
Pleasure Beach is situated opposite Blackpool’s South Pier and is a ride-intensive amusement park. Unlike the amusement places at Blackpool’s piers, to enter Pleasure Beach you need to present a valid eTicket. To get the best deal on your tickets for the amusement park, I’d recommend booking them in advance through the official website. You might notice that entry tickets are typically cheaper on Sundays than on Saturdays.
Art galleries, 360° observation pods, amusement parks, beautiful piers – Blackpool has it all! And to make things even better, you can go anywhere on foot! Not only are attractions easily accessible but also within close proximity from one another, making the resort a popular tourist destination.
Check out some other popular destinations across the UK 👇
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