Category: 1887

Royal Palace Gardens

“To go to Blackpool and not visit the Royal Palace Gardens is to visit London and not visit the Crystal Palace or Westminster Abbey, or go to Rome and not visit the Vatican or the Coliseum!”London Weekly News – 1891 The Royal Palace Gardens was a world famous destination for variety and music hall stars and touring exhibitions and battle re-enactments like ‘Savage South Africa’ and the ‘Afghan War’. With its lavish Grand Opera House, Indian Pavilion and famous botanical gardens, conservatories and menageries, it covered an area of over 40 acres. It was the first of Blackpool entertainment complexes… Read more »

The Birth of Blackpool Rock

The history of rock candy, particularly its iconic version known as ‘Blackpool Rock,’ is steeped in tradition and mystery. Its earliest form, ‘Fair Rock,’ was popular at 19th-century fairs, where it was sold as a simple, unadorned sweet. At that time, sugar was abundant and affordable, making it easy for confectioners to produce candies in bulk. Fair Rock was solid, hard, and not as visually striking as the modern version, lacking the vibrant colours and stripes that characterise today’s rock candy. The treat was typically plain in appearance but shared the same cylindrical shape and the famous core inscription, which… Read more »