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Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. Lying along the coast of the Irish Sea, it has a population of 142,900, making it the fourth-largest settlement in North West England.

Blackpool rose to prominence as a major centre of tourism during the 19th century, particularly for the inhabitants of northern mill towns.

Blackpool Tourism

Blackpool is heavily dependent on tourism. In what is often regarded as its heyday (1900-1950), Blackpool thrived as the factory workers of northern England took their annual holidays there en masse. Any photograph from that era shows crowds of tourists on the beach and promenade. Blackpool was also a preferred destination of visitors from Glasgow and remains so to this day. Reputedly, the town still has more hotel and B&B beds than the whole of Portugal. The town went into decline when cheap air travel arrived in the 1960s and the same workers decamped to the Mediterranean coast resorts due to competitive prices and the more reliable weather. Today Blackpool remains the most popular seaside resort in the UK, however the town has suffered a serious drop in numbers of visitors which has fallen from 17 million in 1992 to 10 million today. Similarly Blackpool Pleasure Beach remains the country's most popular free attraction with 6 million visitors a year but has lost over a million visitors since 1998. Today, many visitors stay for the weekend rather than for a week at a time.

Events and festivals

Blackpool Dance Festival is a world famous annual ballroom dance competition of international significance:
For the last three years, Blackpool has played host to the Rebellion Punk Rock Festival, an annual event which moved back to Blackpool after a few years in nearby Morecombe.
Blackpool Illuminations consisting of a series of lighted displays and collages arranged along the entire length of the sea front, seven miles in total, attract many visitors from late August to early November; a time when most British seaside resorts' holiday seasons have already ended. This results in some spectacular traffic snarl-ups as most people now view the lights from cars and coaches which crawl nose-to-tail along the whole length of the sea front, particularly so at weekends and during school holidays. Each season a famous person "flicks the switch" to turn the lights on in an opening night Switch on ceremony. Scottish actor David Tennant flicked the switch for the 2007 display on 31 August.

Major attractions in Blackpool

Blackpool Tower, opened in 1894; it has been a dominant landmark of the Blackpool skyline since that time. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower of Paris, France, it is 158 metres (518 ft 9 in) tall. Beneath the tower is a complex of leisure facilities, entertainment venues and restaurants, including the world famous Tower Ballroom and Tower Circus.
North Pier - The northernmost of Blackpool's three piers. It includes a small shopping arcade, a small tramway and the North Pier Theatre toward the end of the pier. The pier end also used to have a helicopter pad, but this was damaged at Christmas 1997 by a windstorm and it collapsed into the Irish Sea.
Central Pier - The middle pier, includes a large ferris wheel and shops.
South Pier - The southernmost pier. Almost directly opposite the Pleasure Beach, it houses a theme park.
Pleasure Beach Blackpool- a famous theme park. Rides include the Pepsi Max Big One, which was the world's fastest and tallest complete circuit rollercoaster between 1994 and 1996.
The Winter Gardens is a large entertainment and conference venue in the town centre. Includes the Opera House (one of the largest theatres in Europe), Pavilion Theatre, Empress Ballroom, Spanish Hall, Arena and Olympia.

Blackpool's Other attractions

Beach - Stretching along the whole seafront. The main natural attraction for tourists.
Funny Girls - World Famous Drag Cabaret Burlesque Showbar, located on the North Shore.
Blackpool Zoo - provides a home to over 1500 animals from all over the world.
Grand Theatre - Victorian theatre designed by Frank Matcham. Also now known as the National Theatre of Variety.
Great Promenade Show - Series of modern artwork installations along Blackpool's South Promenade. Includes the Blackpool High Tide Organ an unusual musical monument which uses the movements of the sea to make music.
Louis Tussaud's Waxworks - Waxwork Museum, featuring models of celebrities, musicians, sports personalities and the famous Chamber of Horrors.
Doctor Who Exhibition - The Biggest Doctor Who Exhibition in the UK - contains props and costumes from the long-running BBC TV series, including some from recently aired programmes.
Sandcastle Water Park (now known as Waterworld) - An indoor swimming pool with slides and waves. Next to the South Pier.
Stanley Park - Grade II Historic Park & Gardens with Golf Course, Cricket Club, Sports Arena, Lake, Art Deco Restaurant, Model Village, Gardens, etc.
Odeon Cinema - Situated on a multi-complex site, on Rigby Road, with 10 screens.
The Syndicate Superclub, holds just over 5,000 people.

About City Sightseeing

City Sightseeing is a global sightseeing bus brand, started by Ensignbus, which operates tour bus rides around keyword plus various cities in the UK and worldwide.

Typically the tours consist of an open top double-decker bus. As the bus travels around the town or city, either pre-recorded or live commentary is provided. City Sightseeing buses are recognisable due to their distinctively decorated red livery. Tickets and offers are transferable between the worldwide tours.

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