Pictures of Blackpool

a Coastal Town in the county of Lancashire

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About Blackpool

Blackpool, long famous for its vast illuminated Golden Mile, commenced its rise to fame way back in the Victorian Era when the famous seafront consisted of no more than a single row of houses. In those far off days the resort was quiet, serene and just another of England's quaint fishing villages. Then came the building of the railways and the building of Central Station in 1846, and from this point onwards, tourists flocked to Blackpool en-mass. The North Pier was built in 1863 and the Winter Gardens were established in 1876. Thus, the future of this quiet backwater as a mainline tourist resort, was assured. For good or ill, this famous resort has never looked back. The number of visitors doubled, trebled until it reached its peak of around 8 million visitors during the mid-1960's. Today even greater number is estimated.

The resort is probably best known for its famous Tower, built in 1894 it was for many years, at a soaring height of 518ft, the highest building in England. The Tower could be seen from Cumbria in the north of England and from the Hills of North Wales. From the top of this famous building there are magnificent views over the town and surrounding coastline. From this unique vantage point there is an unrivalled view of an ocean tinged gold by the rays of a setting sun. Beneath this fabulous view lies the bustle of the Golden Mile where one can experience anything from a freak show to a fortune teller! The mile is strewn with bars, disco's, amusement arcades, pubs and restaurants. The whole area is a riot of colour from the millions of colourful lights that form the famous illuminations.

Each of the three piers is brightly lit and has its own theatre presenting live entertainment. Many of todays (and yesterdays) theatrical stars have started their careers in the theatres and pubs of Blackpools golden mile. The vast Pleasure Beach is known to have offered some of the first and most thrilling amusement park rides in Britain. The whole area is brash, bold and breezy. It is a place of great fun for the very young and the young at heart. A fish and chip supper straight from paper wraps whilst strolling along the prom is a must, so are welks and cockles from a fish bar at lunch time.

A few short miles away is the more sedate resort of Lytham St. Annes, home to one of the countries great championship golf courses. All along this coast you will find mile after mile of gorgeous golden beaches and the choice is yours; sand and sun, a gentle round of golf, serious shopping in Lytham followed by a fun filled night under the stars and bright lights of Blackpool. Hectic, did I hear you say, some would say - one of lifes great experiences and definately not to be missed!

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Blackpool

Blackpool Sea Life Centre	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)	Pictures
Blackpool Zoo	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Blackpool Pleasure Beach	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Lytham Hall	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Fleetwood Museum	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
Southport Zoo & Conservation Trust	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Pleasureland, Southport	(12.3 miles, 19.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Royal Birkdale	(13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Martin Mere	(14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Lune River Lighthouse	(14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Preston Guildhall	(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Brock Bottoms	(15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Rufford Old Hall	(16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Beacon Fell Country Park	(16.5 miles, 26.5 km, direction E)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Blackpool

Cleveleys in the county of Lancashire (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction N)
Less bustling than its busy neighbour Blackpool, Cleveleys lies on the same 15 mile stretch of beautiful golden sands.
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Lytham St Anne's in the county of Lancashire (5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction S)
St. Anne's has a fine sandy beach backed by grassy sand dunes and a fascinating pier, first built in 1885 and subsequently rebuilt and remodelled.
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Fleetwood in the county of Lancashire (6.4 miles, 10.4 km, direction N)
Fleetwood was once famous as a fishing port, but now it is more likely the visitor will see yachts and leisure boats lined up at the pretty quayside.
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Scorton in the county of Lancashire (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NE)
The picturesque village of Scorton lies to the west of the Bowland Forest beneath the shadow of Calder Fell, in an area much famed for its sparkling streams, fells and forest glades inhabited by wildlife.
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Preston in the county of Lancashire (15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction E)
This is the town that was at the centre of the cotton spinning industry for well over a hundred and fifty years.
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Ainsdale-on-Sea in the county of Merseyside (15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction S)
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Croston in the county of Lancashire (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction SE)
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Rufford in the county of Lancashire (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction SE)
Noted for its picturesque late-medieval manor house Rufford Old Hall, the village of Rufford occupies a fine setting on the fertile Lancashire Plains.
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Lancaster in the county of Lancashire (18.7 miles, 30.1 km, direction NE)
This is a city which long ago lost it's grim clogs and mill image to give way to a fast growing city with a fine reputation as a centre of commerce and culture where bright, modern University buildings sit comfortably with Lancaster's historic areas.
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Morecambe in the county of Lancashire (19.1 miles, 30.8 km, direction NE)
Morecambe has always been one of the most popular and successful seaside resorts in England. It has one of the most spectacular...
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Hoghton in the county of Lancashire (20.4 miles, 32.9 km, direction E)
It was here that James I created "Sirloin" when he supposedly knighted his beef!
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Lydiate in the county of Merseyside (20.6 miles, 33.1 km, direction S)
This attractive village was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It is perhaps best known for the evocative ruins of St. Catherine's Church.
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Chorley in the county of Lancashire (20.8 miles, 33.5 km, direction SE)
The town's historic roots go back beyond the Bronze-Age, as evidenced by findings in the 20th century.
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Hest Bank in the county of Lancashire (21.0 miles, 33.7 km, direction NE)
Hest Bank makes an interesting alternative to crowded Morecambe, it is ideal as a base for touring coast and the old cotton towns of Lancashire.
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Ribchester in the county of Lancashire (21.4 miles, 34.4 km, direction E)
A picturesque village in the Ribble Valley
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Nearby travel help

Blackpool North Station	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Layton Station	(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NE)
Blackpool Airport	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction S)
M55 Junction 4	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction SE)
M55 Junction 3	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction E)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport	(34.8 miles, 55.9 km, direction S)
Blackpool to London	(201.7 miles, 324.6 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Blackpool

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Blackpool center
Grand Metropole	(0.0 miles, 0.1 km)
Firgrove Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Vidella Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The New Hertford Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The World Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The Woodley Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The Dudley	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Claremont Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Lynmar	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Holmsdale Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
All hotels in Blackpool