Tag: Attractions

Opened in 1974, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Blackpool is a must-visit for anyone curious about the bizarre and the extraordinary. Spread across two floors, the attraction features eight themed galleries, each showcasing a fascinating collection of unusual artifacts, oddities, and interactive exhibits from around the world. Whether you’re exploring peculiar cultural relics, remarkable people, or the wonders of nature, there’s something to amaze and intrigue at every turn. The concept behind Ripley’s Believe It or Not! comes from Robert Ripley, a cartoonist, adventurer, and collector of strange stories. Ripley traveled the world in search of the weirdest and… Read more »

Mr B’s Golden Mile Centre opened its doors in 1968, marking a new era for Blackpool’s amusement scene as the town’s first purpose-built arcade. Prior to this, most arcades were makeshift structures—canopies or converted sheds attached to the fronts of old hotels and guesthouses. Located on Central Promenade, Mr B’s was a modern two-story building that boasted a variety of rides, including Waltzers and Dodgems, alongside a wide selection of slot machines and pinball machines, making it a major attraction for both locals and visitors. Tragically, on 2 July 2009, the arcade was devastated by a fire that completely destroyed… Read more »

The Happy Dayz building, now a popular amusement arcade, has a long and varied history that began far from the world of gaming and entertainment machines. Originally opened as a cinema on 17 May 1912, the building was first known as the Central Beach Cinema. Located on the Promenade opposite the Central Pier, the cinema offered both film screenings and live stage performances. This dual purpose made it an important part of Blackpool’s entertainment scene, but its history would prove to be anything but stable. By the early 1920s, the cinema underwent its first name change, becoming the Trocadero Cinema…. Read more »

Funland Amusements in Blackpool was built in 1861 when Read’s Bazaar, Market, and Sea Water Baths opened. The site was later the location of Coney Island amusement centre before becoming the Funland Amusements visitors know today. Situated on Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile, nestled between the SEA LIFE Centre and Madame Tussauds, Funland lives up to its name with a big arcade filled with plenty of games, children’s rides, and that classic seaside favourite – bingo. As one of the largest amusement venues in the area, it offers a diverse range of entertainment options for visitors of all ages. The arcade… Read more »

In 2011, the Thompson family and Blackpool Pleasure Beach entered into a landmark agreement with Viacom, the owners of the global Nickelodeon brand, to transform a section of the park into Nickelodeon Land. This 4-acre, £10 million redevelopment was aimed at creating a fun-filled, immersive experience for younger visitors. It replaced the former children’s area, Beaver Creek, which had closed in 2010. The new area was not only a fresh take on the park’s family offerings but also included several major updates to existing attractions. For example, the park’s Rollercoaster was completely rethemed and reopened as Nickelodeon Streak, while the… Read more »

Situated on Blackpool’s iconic Golden Mile, Silcock’s Fun Palace has been a staple of the town’s vibrant amusement scene since its opening in 1994. Unlike many of the other attractions along the promenade, Silcock’s Fun Palace is open all year round, making it a go-to destination regardless of the weather. Whether it’s sunny or stormy, visitors can count on a thrilling experience indoors, offering a wide array of adult gaming machines, £500 jackpots, and fun-filled ticket games for all ages. Silcock Leisure, the company behind the Fun Palace, is a remarkable 6th-generation family business that has been an integral part… Read more »