Blackpool – A Tawdry Resort Town that is Outlandishly Fun!
Welcome to the city that practically invented beachfront resort tourism… Blackpool! This seaside town is know for its vibrant nightlife, stunning seaside promenade and old time amusement park. Whether you are looking for a filthy night of fun on the town or just wanting to spend alone time reading a book by the Irish Sea, Blackpool has you covered.
Table of Contents
Geography
Blackpool is located in the North-Eastern reaches of England, past the large port city of Liverpool. The city was constructed on the The Fylde, a flat plain on the Irish Sea. The name of the town derives from a discolored liquid that was dumped into the sea flowing a peat bog that formed a black pool (hence the name Black-Pool).
Fun Fact: Dublin (Dubh Linn), the Irish capital located at the other side of the Sea is in fact the Irish word for Black Pool!
History
Modest Beginnings
Occupied by British tribes since before the Roman occupation, Blackpool was not much of an urban center. At the time of the Doomsday Book in 1086, there was a collection of Anglo-Saxon villages near what we now call Blackpool, yet no distinct city.
The meteoric rise of the city coincided with the fashionable escapades of the wealthier classes escaping to the coast and bathing in the seawater in the hope of curing diseases – this sanatorium like approach was often referred to as “The Cure”. With an influx of tourists throughout the 18th century, hotels sprung up and a permanent settlement was slowly established.
The Electrical Age
In 1846, a railway was established and the population of the town boomed. Previously the journey here would have been long and arduous, even by stagecoach. This boom coincided with the practice of many Lancashire cotton mills to close their shops for a week to repair machinery resulting in what is called wakes weeks, busy weeks in town were the result of this policy – a new escape for the slowly emancipating working class of England’s north-west. As working conditions and compensation improved, it became much easier to access the town and in turn the more they longed for Blackpool. The city was now a working class holiday town!
During the course of the mid-late 19th century, three central piers were completed. By 1893, Blackpool was the only English town with three piers. It was also a pioneer in the use of electrical power, in 1879 it was the first town in England to use electric street lighting and an electric tramway was installed. At the end of the 19 century, the town’s population was of 35,000, yet it could accommodate 250,000 holidaymakers. It is estimated that three million visited the resort in a year.
Interwar Period and the Modern Era
During the First World War, the resort saw a temporary decline. It was not to last, the interwar period was the most favorable period in the city’s history. During this time the waterfront promenade as seen today was completed. The town was only sightly bombed during the Second World War and the Free Polish Air Force earmarked the city as its headquarters in exile. The town reached its zenith (17 million visitors per year!) in the 1950’s but then entered a long decline as Britain’s beleaguered textile industry (and assorted manufacturing), primary located in the north, took a hit. These closures greatly hurt Blackpool’s working class tourist base. Furthermore the town began to be used as a day trip destination rather than an overnight stay. This was compounded by the relative strength of the pound, with many Britons choosing vacation package taking them out of the country to cheaper locales.
Exploring the City!
Downtown Blackpool (North End)
When you first exit the train station, turn on Talbot road heading west towards the ocean. This is the downtown core of Blackpool. Like many resort towns you will find an eclectic mix of shops, bars and tacky attractions such as haunted houses. At the end of the street, you have an old North Pier. Built in 1863, the 500m long structure is the oldest and longest of the city piers!
Off to the side of the pier, you will find a stone obelisks. This is a World War 2 memorial. Behind it you will find the masonry Britannia Hotel, a seaside accommodation.
It is this part of of the city that you will want to come to for a fun night out. Pubs can be found lining most of the streets and can get fairly busy but you will also have many theater clubs like “funny girls” that offer either drag and burlesque shows. Much like Brighton this city is a hub for the British gay community and they know how to party. At the seaside promenade not far from the north pier you will find the Blackpool tower, the symbol of the city. The building comprises of a multi-story masonry base and a Eiffel tower inspired red steel structure tower rising from above it. Built in 1894, it was once the tallest free standing structure in the British Empire. This building is best seen from far, viewed from one of the piers or if wandering home drunk at night from the south end of the city where both the central pier Ferris wheel and the tower are light up in bright colours making for quite the panorama. Let the lights guide you!
Other important buildings include many historic hotels (ex: Ibis and the Metropole) near the busy commercial artery that is Talbot street as well as the downtown church of St. John’s, surrounded by one of Blackpool’s only public squares outside of the riverfront. The church is at the center of the Blackpool core. Nearby you will find the Winter Gardens a heritage (grade II listed) entertainment complex. This massive building complete in 1876 is built right into the streetscape, blending in seamlessly with the shops. I recommend a visit to this complex for its beautiful interior spaces and its importance on both the national and local stages. Think a mall, but not bland and soulless. The interior hosts a two story arcade (as in pedestrian space) with painted cast iron columns and glass ceilings, it also integrates the Opera House Theater. Event spaces include the stunning Empress Ballroom as well as the pretty Spanish , Baronial Renaissance halls. With no lack of space it is no surprise that the building has played host to trade union and political conferences. It is said that every post-war prime minister has given an address in the building.
At the base of the church square, you will find Church street, a pedestrianized space leading from the church to the waterfront. Apart from the presence of the Winter gardens it is lined with shops and important buildings such as the Grand Theater built in 1894. It was one of Britain’s first all-electric theaters.
The Promenade (Seaside)
The main draw of Blackpool is the seaside. It is where people once came to lather themselves in therapeutic muds and would lounge on the beach. By the end of the 20th century the sleepy waterfront had been transformed into a busy promenade fitted with a working tramway, three piers, fortune-tellers, public houses, various rides, shops and theaters. Although not as busy as it once was the promenade is the soul of the city. Along 18km’s of its length is the Blackpool tram. Completed in 1885, it is one the oldest electric tramways in the world. The busy system is a great way of getting around town. Although the fleet is modern, you may catch on of the two remaining heritage cars.
Make sure to catch the Blackpool Illuminations, a yearly lights festival running since 1879.
Residential Blackpool (South End)
On the south side of town, the ones success of bars gives way to a Victorian residential section with vacation homes and permanent residences. This is the family area of the city. You will find a few iconic Blackpool attractions here, both the central and south pier as well as pleasure beach located at the very southern tip of the city.
This part of the city is very stereotypical of British Beach towns. The old Victorians may be run down but they still hold much of their charms. Small churches dot the landscape and a good fish and chip or even the typical English Breakfast can be purchased at a more reasonable price!
The Central Pier was constructed in 1868, the location where the old Blackpool once stood was at its base. Whereas the popular North pier was meant for strolling and relaxing this piers emphasis was on fun! As such you will find a heritage Ferris Wheel. The South Pier, built in 1890 was the last of the three piers. It was built as a more upmarket entertainment venue. Although most heritage elements have been lost to fires, you will still find many thrills such as roller coasters and bungee rides.
Finally, not far from the southern pier is the big daddy of infamous Blackpool attractions, Pleasure Beach! This historic (and possibly haunted!) park was constructed 1896 and host some of the most historic and record breaking rides in the UK and even Europe! This is for many families the main draw of Blackpool!
Conclusion
Blackpool may have a sordid reputation, but I can assure you that roaming the city at night is a lot of fun. Loose yourself in the bars and then go for a frigid swim in the morning to cure the hangover! Better yet wander the pier after all has closed and catch the town in the neon, where the lights of the town illuminate the darkness, not yet pierced by the light of day.
