The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Blackpool (From Someone Who's Been Going Their Whole Life)
Blackpool gets a bad rap and I'm here to try to change your mind.
I've been visiting this seaside town my entire life. My parents lived, met and married here. My family still lives here. I was born in South Africa, grew up between continents, and have lived in the United States for years but Blackpool has always been the place I return to, simply because my family is from here. It's home in a way that no travel guide can fully capture, because the best things about Blackpool aren't just the attractions. They're the memories made in them.
Yes, Blackpool is brash, bold, and unashamedly working-class. The candy floss is sticky, the arcades are loud, and the weather is wildly unpredictable. But it is also one of England's most joyful and nostalgic weekend escapes and with over a century of history behind almost every major attraction, it earns its place on any UK travel itinerary.
Whether you're planning a family trip, a couple's weekend away, or a solo adventure, this guide covers everything worth doing in Blackpool, written by someone who knows it and has been a “tourist” to it her entire life.
Quick Facts: Planning Your Trip to Blackpool
Location: Lancashire, Northwest England — approximately 40 miles northwest of Manchester
Getting there: Direct trains from Manchester (approx. 1 hour), Preston (20 mins), and Leeds (1.5 hrs). By car, it's just off the M55.
Best time to visit: Late May through October for the full experience (see the "When to Visit" section below)
How long do you need? A weekend (2 nights) is ideal to see the main sights without rushing
Good for: Families, couples, groups of friends, solo travelers. Blackpool genuinely has something for everyone
Visit the Blackpool Tower
One of Britain's most iconic landmarks and unmissable for first-timers
Nothing signals arrival in Blackpool quite like spotting the tower on the horizon. I've experienced that moment more times than I can count, and it never gets old.
Built in 1894 and modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Blackpool Tower stands 518 feet tall to the tip of its flagpole. But the tower is far more than a viewing platform, it's actually a complex of several major attractions, all contained within the same Victorian-era structure.
What's inside the Blackpool Tower:
The Tower Eye: The glass-floored observation deck at the top offers panoramic views of the Irish Sea, the promenade, the Lake District, and on a clear day, across to Liverpool and the Isle of Man. The 5cm thick glass floor is terrifying and wonderful in equal measure.
The 4D Cinema :A short film experience telling the story of Blackpool's history. Great for kids and genuinely interesting even if you've been before.
The Tower Ballroom: More on this below because it deserves its own section.
The Tower Circus: also more below!
One of my favorite memories of Blackpool is standing on that glass floor with my sister and my cousin. We were always so excited to be together on family visits that we'd inevitably end up planning the same shoes, hair accessories and t-shirts, even well into our teen years. I have other family members who have actually worked or even performed at the Tower at some point. There are so many layers of family history wrapped up in that building for me.
Practical info:
Location: The Promenade, Blackpool FY1 4BJ
Book tickets online in advance — it's cheaper and avoids queues
Allow 2–3 hours to properly explore everything inside
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for smaller crowd
Visit the Blackpool Tower - Photo Courtesy of Visit Blackpool
One of my favorite memories of Blackpool is standing on this glass floor with my sister and my cousin. Of course, we were always so excited about spending time together that we often would end up planning the same shoes, hair accessories, and t-shirts, even when we approached our teen years. My other cousin, Mark, also worked at the Tower at one point. Many happy family memories here!
2. The Blackpool Tower Ballroom
The most beautiful room in the North of England - no contest!
The Tower Ballroom opened in 1894 and over 130 years later, it is still drawing dancers and visitors from across the globe. The ornate gilt ceilings, the chandeliers, the sprung dance floor, it is genuinely one of the most breathtaking interiors I have ever seen.
Most people know it as the filming location of the Strictly Come Dancing Finals (known internationally as Dancing with the Stars). But you don't have to be a competitive dancer to enjoy it. The ballroom hosts public dancing sessions where you can take to the floor yourself, as well as afternoon tea experiences if you'd prefer to sit back and watch.
It is still on my bucket list to actually dance here. Every time I visit, I seem to miss the dates for the public dances. One day!
Practical info:
Inside the Blackpool Tower complex on the promenade FY1 4BJ
Entry is included with Tower tickets; afternoon tea requires a separate booking
Public dancing sessions run on select dates — check the Tower website for the schedule
3. Blackpool Tower Circus
The oldest permanent circus arena in the world and it's been running continuously since 1894 (except for during Covid)
Dating back to 1894, Blackpool Tower Circus is the oldest permanent circus arena in the world and has not missed a season except one! It played continuously right through two major world wars but Covid made it the first time the circus closed. That is a remarkable legacy for any entertainment venue, let alone one that is still genuinely thrilling audiences today.
The Endresz family has been in charge of the circus since 1991, overseeing everything from acts, talent, lights, shows, costumes and even performers. The circus stopped using animals in 1990 (the old pens and stables still exist beneath the arena, preserved as part of the site's listed building status). Today the shows are acrobatic, theatrical, and spectacular.
The resident clown, Mooky, has been a fixture for over 25 years and is now also the director of the circus alongside his brother, who took over from their father. Every show ends with the famous water finale: hydraulic mechanisms lower the circus ring floor by 137cm to create an onstage lake. This finale has been part of the show for over 100 years.
A note from my mum: I should mention that when I originally wrote about Mooky as Blackpool's famous clown, my mum — who reads my blog before every post goes live — had strong feelings about this. "I just can't! Long live Charlie Cairoli! This Mooky guy is just impersonating Charlie Cairoli! Sacrilege!" Charlie Cairoli was the circus's legendary resident clown for 40 years, and is the name that anyone who grew up in Blackpool before the 1990s will remember with enormous affection. Mooky is the famous clown for those of us who grew up after that era. Mom is right, as always.
When I was younger, my family would regularly take us to the circus during visits. And if you need any more convincing, the arena was featured in a pivotal scene in Tim Burton's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children — and it's every bit as magical on screen as it is in person.
Practical info:
Inside the Blackpool Tower complex
Book well in advance during peak season — it sells out
Shows run approximately 2 hours
4. Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Britain's most-visited theme park and home to the UK's tallest roller coaster (well, not as of 2024 anymore!)
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been thrilling visitors since 1896, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in Britain. Over a century later, it remains the country's most visited theme park, and it's easy to see why. The combination of heritage rides and cutting-edge modern coasters is unmatched anywhere in the UK.
The park cleverly retains many of its classic rides alongside newer additions. Highlights include:
The Big One: At 235 feet, this was Britain's tallest roller coaster until 2024, reaching speeds of up to 85 mph. Formerly known as Pepsi Max, it is as terrifying as it looks. The Hyperia is one foot higher than the Big One.
The Grand National: A classic twin-track wooden coaster that has been racing since 1935.
Valhalla: One of the world's largest indoor dark rides, with water effects that guarantee you'll get soaked.
The Big Dipper: A heritage wooden coaster dating back to 1923.
Wild Mouse, Steeplechase, Avalanche: Excellent mid-intensity rides perfect for families.
I have to be honest: when I was a child and the ride was still called Pepsi Max, I was absolutely too scared to go on it. I loved roller coasters at the time, but that ride is simply enormous, and I could not bring myself to do it. I still haven't. Some things are better appreciated from the ground and will probably continue to be that way!
Practical info:
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ
Book tickets online: individual ride tickets and day wristbands available
Open seasonally (roughly March to November) check the website for exact dates
Allow a full day if you want to cover most of the major rides
Tip: Go on a weekday to avoid peak weekend queues
5. The Blackpool Illuminations
One of Europe's greatest free light shows
If there is one thing that makes Blackpool truly unique in all of England, it is the Illuminations. Running annually from September through to the first week of November, this is a 10km stretch of light displays, decorations and themed scenes that transforms the entire promenade and seafront.
The Illuminations first switched on in 1879, making this one of the longest-running light festivals in the world. The Big Switch On, which traditionally involves a celebrity guest flipping the switch, marks the start of the season each year and draws enormous crowds.
I have, somehow, managed to miss the Illuminations on almost every single visit to Blackpool since I was a teenager. Every time I travel to England, I check the dates in hope and every time, either I'm there in summer or I've just missed them. One year. One year I will time it right.
If you are planning a trip to Blackpool specifically to see the Illuminations, aim for September or October and book accommodation well in advance. This is one of the busiest periods of the year.
Practical info:
Dates: Typically early September through to early November each year (check the official Blackpool Illuminations website for exact dates)
Free to view from the promenade
The iconic Blackpool Tramway runs the full length of the lights — a tram ride is the classic way to see them
Tip: Weekdays are far quieter than weekends during the Illuminations season
6. Stanley Park
Recently voted the UK's best park and one of Blackpool's best-kept secrets
Stanley Park opened in 1926 and is genuinely one of the finest municipal parks in England. Recently voted the UK's best park, it sits in striking contrast to the brash energy of the promenade: this is Blackpool at its most serene.
The park has something for almost everyone: formal Italian and rose gardens, art deco buildings, boating lakes, woodland walks, wildlife, and sports facilities. The Blackpool Model Village, recently updated, is also located within the park grounds.
When I was little, my grandmother used to take my sister and me to Stanley Park. She always called it the Fairy Garden. We would spend our whole time looking for fairy footprints, toadstools, and fairy dust — and my grandparents would point out "signs" that the fairies had been there just that morning. It is one of my most treasured childhood memories of Blackpool. My cousin used to bring us here too when we got a little older. Stanley Park is woven into the fabric of every Blackpool visit for me.
Practical info:
West Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 9HU
Free entry
Allow 1–2 hours for a relaxed walk; longer if you're exploring the full grounds
The café in the art deco pavilion is worth a stop
7. Blackpool Zoo
A TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award-winner and the perfect complement to a Stanley Park visit
Blackpool Zoo sits right on the eastern edge of Stanley Park, making it the natural next stop if you've spent the morning wandering the gardens. Set across 37 acres of mature parkland with lakes, it is a genuinely impressive zoo and one that often surprises first-time visitors who weren't expecting something this substantial from a seaside town.
The zoo is home to over 1,000 animals, with highlights including big cats, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, orangutans, and sea lions. Recent additions include a dinosaur safari trail, walk-through attractions, and daily keeper talks and feeding sessions. This kind of programming that turns a standard zoo visit into a full day out.
Visitors particularly rave about the big cat habitats, feeding the rainbow lorikeets, and the sea lion shows. Its best to go in the morning when the animals are most active. A baby elephant was recently born at the zoo, which has generated enormous excitement.
Practical info:
East Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 8PP, directly adjacent to Stanley Park
Open daily from 10am; closing times vary seasonally (last admission 45 minutes before close)
Book online in advance for the best price
Children under 3 go free; Tesco Clubcard holders can redeem vouchers at the gate
Allow a full 3–5 hours to do it justice
Tip: Combine with Stanley Park in the same day — they are literally next door to each other
🎟️ Book Blackpool Zoo tickets on GetYourGuide — when I have looked I have seen that it is cheaper to buy on GetYourGuide than the gate/website (check it for yourself though as this may change).
8. Coral Island
The pirate-themed arcade that has entertained generations of Blackpool visitors
Coral Island sits right on the promenade and is one of those places that has barely changed in decades and that is entirely a compliment. The moment you walk through the doors, the lights, the sounds, and the clinking of coins from the machines pull you in completely.
It's a pirate-themed indoor amusement complex with traditional arcade games, modern video games, prize machines, rides, and even some casino-style gaming. The Ghost Train was always a firm favorite of my sister’s and mine. My cousin actually works at Coral Island now, yet another family connection to this place.
It is also the perfect rainy-day activity, which in Blackpool is never a hypothetical.
Practical info:
The Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5AA
Free entry
Perfect for families with kids of all ages
9. Blackpool's Beaches, Piers & Promenade
The beating heart of Blackpool and where all the classic seaside memories are made
Blackpool's beaches stretch out far into the sea and have been drawing holidaymakers from across England since the Victorian era. The water is famously cold (this is the northwest of England, after all), but the beaches themselves are broad, sandy, and full of life during the summer months.
Running alongside the beach are three iconic piers — North Pier, Central Pier, and South Pier — each packed with amusements, carnival games, rides, and live entertainment. The promenade that connects them is a hive of activity in summer, with fish and chips, donkey rides, and the famous Blackpool trams running the full length of the seafront.
For me, the piers and promenade are where the nostalgia hits hardest. There is something about the smell of salt and vinegar, the sound of arcade machines from the pier, and the sight of the Tower in the distance that feels like childhood distilled into a single moment.
Practical info:
Free to walk the beaches and promenade; pier amusements are pay-as-you-go
Most pier attractions are seasonal (summer months)
The Blackpool Tramway runs the full promenade - a fun and scenic way to get between the piers
Tip: South Beach is generally quieter than the stretch near Central Pier
Parking can be a pain so public transport is helpful if you’re not staying on the promenade or near the city center
Where to stay in Blackpool
Best Overall: Number One South Beach
The best hotel in Blackpool is, without question, the Number One South Beach — and I say that as someone who has stayed there and can personally vouch for every aspect of it.
Located just off Blackpool's South Beach Promenade, Number One South Beach is the only five-gold-star property in the entire town, awarded by Visit England. It is run by Clare and Mark Smith along with their business partners Janet and Graham Oxley, and what they have created is genuinely rare: the warmth and personal touch of a bed and breakfast, combined with the luxury and quality of a boutique hotel.
I stayed here during a visit for my cousin's wedding, and it was one of the finest hotels I have stayed at anywhere — not just in Blackpool. The rooms are individually decorated in unique themes, with beds so comfortable that "sleeping on a cloud" is not an exaggeration. The en-suite bathroom had a whirlpool bath that I made very thorough use of while getting ready for the wedding.
Number One South Beach, Blackpool — book directly via their website for the best rates.
Disclosure: Number One South Beach sponsored part of my stay on my visit. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.
Other Accommodation Options in Blackpool
Blackpool has accommodation at every price point. Beyond Number One South Beach, here are the types of options worth considering:
Budget: Blackpool has hundreds of guesthouses along the promenade — prices are low, especially midweek and outside of peak season
Mid-range: Several chain hotels (Holiday Inn, Premier Inn) offer reliable quality near the town centre
Self-catering: Good for families staying multiple nights — search for holiday apartments near the South Shore area for a quieter base
When to Visit Blackpool
Summer (June–August): The best weather and all attractions open, including Pleasure Beach, the piers, and beach activities. It's the busiest and most expensive period — book accommodation well in advance.
Autumn (September–October): My personal recommendation for most visitors. The Illuminations are running, the weather is still mild, and the crowds are smaller than peak summer. Pleasure Beach is still open. This is Blackpool at its most atmospheric.
Winter (November–February): Most of the big attractions (Pleasure Beach, piers) close for the season. The Tower and Ballroom remain open. Not recommended for a first visit, but perfectly fine if you have family in the area.
Spring (March–May): Things begin to reopen from Easter onwards. A good time for a quieter, cheaper visit — just check attraction opening dates before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackpool
Is Blackpool worth visiting? Yes — genuinely. Blackpool divides opinion, but almost everyone who visits with an open mind comes away having had a good time. It is one of England's most historic seaside resorts, with world-class attractions, a fascinating heritage, and an energy that is entirely its own. Go with the right expectations (this is not the Cotswolds) and you will enjoy it.
How many days do you need in Blackpool? A weekend — two nights, arriving Friday evening and leaving Sunday — is ideal for first-time visitors. That's enough time to see the Tower, Ballroom, Circus, Pleasure Beach, and the promenade without rushing. Three nights gives you a more relaxed pace.
Is Blackpool good for families? Exceptionally so. Pleasure Beach, the Tower, the Circus, Coral Island, the beach and piers — virtually every major attraction is family-friendly. It is one of the best value family destinations in England.
How do I get to Blackpool from Manchester? Direct trains from Manchester Victoria or Manchester Piccadilly take approximately one hour to Blackpool North station. By car, it's roughly 40 miles via the M61 and M55.
When are the Blackpool Illuminations 2025? The Illuminations typically run from early September through to early November. Check the official Blackpool Illuminations website for this year's exact dates and the Big Switch On event.
