Tag: Attractions

The Fylde’s Forgotten Roller Coasters

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Aside from the Pleasure Beach, there were two more roller coasters, one in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens called the Les Montagnes Russes, and the other in Cleveleys called the Big Dipper. Records show that the Winter Gardens Company was registered on 7th August 1875. And by the end of 1876, many of the foundations and basements of the main buildings had been built along with an outdoor and indoor skating rink. The circular switchback railway, Les Montagnes Russes, was installed in 1902. The Cleveleys Big Dipper The Cleveleys roller coaster ride occupied the stretch of land between Beach Road… Read more »

Blackpool’s Victorian Great Wheel

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Blackpool’s iconic tower dominates the skyline at the famous seaside resort with nothing to challenge it, however that wasn’t always the case. In 1896 it had a rival in the form of the ‘Giant Wheel’ although in reality it was never a genuine challenger and lasted a mere 32 years. At around the same time, a roller coaster was built around the corner. See more on that here. Designed by Walter B Bassett and situated next to Blackpool Winter Gardens, the structure was the second wheel out of four that the British Naval Engineer was to erect between the years… Read more »

Blackpool’s Abingdon Street Market

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Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool reopened on 27 May 2023 after a long period of closure, bringing new life to the area. With its eclectic mix of independent food vendors, bars, and coffee shops, it has quickly become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. The market has exceeded initial expectations for footfall and business projections, and the operating team, The Little Blackpool Leisure Company, is excited to continue developing the space. Their focus is on expanding the market’s retail offerings and rolling out further phases of recruitment to attract more independent retailers, while continuing to offer unique entertainment… Read more »

The Opening of Houndshill Shopping Centre

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The original Hounds Hill Shopping Centre in Blackpool, which opened in 1980, played a significant role in modernising the town’s retail landscape. Conceived as part of Blackpool’s efforts to upgrade its shopping environment, the centre was designed to address the growing demand for contemporary retail spaces and attract more visitors to the town centre. The planning phase involved consultations with retailers and town planners to ensure that the new centre would complement Blackpool’s existing retail offerings. Houndshill Shopping Centre is an indoor shopping centre and the only one in Blackpool. It’s located in the centre of the town with one… Read more »

Pleasure Beach Fire

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On May 25, 1934, a devastating fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, around 3:00 AM, beginning at the Big Dipper roller coaster, which was one of the park’s main attractions. The blaze spread rapidly due to the wooden structures and flammable materials used in the rides and was further fueled by high winds that night. The fire quickly engulfed several other key attractions, including the Scenic Railway and the Whip, and…

Warwick’s Amusements

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Warwick and Janet, along with their family, marked 50 years of running Warwick Amusements across the Fylde coast. Looking back on their journey, the couple expressed how much they’ve enjoyed the last five decades. While they continue to play an active role in the business, they’re excited to see their children and grandchildren take it forward as Blackpool undergoes a period of renewal. Both Warwick and Janet come from families steeped in fairground traditions, with their grandfathers being travelling showmen who took rides and slot machines around in wagons. In the early 1970s, as a newly married couple with a… Read more »

Sands Venue Resort Hotel & Spyglass

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The opening of the Spyglass Bar offers a sneak peek into what Blackpool’s £30 million Sands Venue Resort Hotel will bring when it eventually opens on the Promenade. Although the hotel itself remains unfinished, the £600,000 Spyglass Bar began welcoming guests on 26 August 2021. Despite a £10 million loan from Blackpool Council, the hotel project has faced delays due to ongoing disputes between the developers and contractors. Developer Peter Swann, along with the hotel’s official website, maintains that the Sands Venue Resort will be Blackpool’s first five-star hotel, offering a luxury spa, gym, conference rooms, valet parking, and stunning… Read more »

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

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The Blackpool Tower Dungeon offers an exciting and immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey through the dark and often grisly history of the region. Located beneath the iconic Blackpool Tower, this unique attraction combines live actor-led shows, thrilling special effects, and interactive exhibits to bring historical events to life in a way that’s both entertaining and spine-tingling. The Dungeon features a series of themed areas, each telling a different chapter of Blackpool’s past, from medieval tortures to the infamous Lancashire witch trials. Visitors can expect to encounter characters from history, including notorious criminals, witches, and characters from local… Read more »

The Original Coasters Restaurant

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Coasters Restaurant was first built in the late eighties or early nineties. Sometime afterwards, the marketing manager from Blackpool Pleasure Beach approached Malcolm Clement from Prontoprint on Whitegate Drive about getting a new menu designed. Malcolm then subcontracted the work to Encore Design, which was taken over by Deeper Blue twenty years later. Like the designers, it would appear that Coasters Restaurant has moved on too… from Ocean Boulevard to inside Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The new restaurant has a somewhat more restrained decor than before. The old place had actual roller coaster carriages converted into dining booths whereas the new… Read more »

Blackpool Amusements

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Blackpool’s newest family entertainment centre offers fun for all ages, spread across two floors in the iconic former Woolworth’s building, located right next to Blackpool Tower. The vibrant, selfie-friendly décor sets the scene for a great time, while the impressive prize shop and spacious café on the second floor—offering stunning views of the promenade—make it the perfect spot for both excitement and relaxation. Unlike traditional arcades, this modern venue is designed with families in mind. Crown Leisure has transformed the space into a bright, welcoming entertainment hub that caters to everyone. This new arcade replaces the former Golden Mile Amusements,… Read more »