1hr from Preston / BLACKPOOL

Britains greatest seaside resort. Turn off the M6 at Junction 32 onto the M55 and drive into the centre of Blackpool along Yeadon Way which was the old railway line that went to Central Station.

The central area is being re-developed into a grand gateway entrance. Central promenade is being extended by 60 metres into the sea to create a curved shoreline and provide long term flood protection. South Shore promenade has been rebuilt with a raised promenade and furnished with modern statues. North Shore retains its genteel elegance with Edwardian front hotels and its triple level promenade reaching up to the cliff top.

Blackpools resources are second to none. Most of them were built during Blackpools heyday but new investment is gradually bringing them up to date. Although at least two of them are needing too much investment. Not many places have; 7 miles of well paved promenade with tram service, 3 piers, tower with ballroom, pleasurebeach; Pepsi Max Big One, Zoo, Stanley Park, Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens, international airport. Hotels and B&Bs by the hundred to suit all pockets. The beach has excellent quality of sand and at low tide the sea varies from about 200yds out at North Shore to much more at the southern extremities. It's downside is a large number of low quality shops in the holiday areas.

Stanley Park is having £5m spent on its rejuvenation. Blackpool is also a famous name in ballroom dancing with the Winter Gardens hosting world competitions.

In 2007 the government decided Blackpool would not get a super casino, it would go to Manchester. In May 2007 the PM announced that the super-casino might not be built at all.

In August 2007 Blackpool council approved plans to redevelop the Blackpool Central Station site. These will need government approval. The application includes:

- A 35,750 square metre conference centre at the southern end of the site able to cater for 1,500 delegates and an exhibition hall with room for 150 stalls. - A 12,556 square metre central casino in the middle of the site including amusement arcades, nightclubs and some retail. - A 12,247 square metre north casino in the north eastern corner of the site including amusement arcades, nightclubs and some retail. - A 300-bedroom four/five-star star hotel in the south western corner of the site. - A 324-bedroom three-star hotel on the eastern side of the site. - A 145-bedroom five-star hotel at the northern end of the site. - 2,805 square metres of office space. - A Winter Promenade on the Promenade frontage to include eating, drinking, retail and leisure, with facilities such as a three-screen cinema.

Why not walk from South Pier to Fleetwood along the promenade and get the tram back. If you have the strength, allow about 4hrs non-stop including return. You can also stop at Bispham or Cleveleys and get the tram back. Cleveleys is having its promenade developed with modern features, Cinema, cafes etc.

Good link to read HISTORY OF BLACKPOOL

This is quite a long page, please view down.

BLACKPOOL 1ST MAY 2005 USING MY MOBILE PHONE CAMERA. Had a great walk at about 10am from Gynn Square, under North and Central Piers then to South Pier and back into town for a coffee and Baklava at Barista in Birley Street, the nicest coffee house in town.
		BLACKPOOL TOWER. From close to Central Pier. Look at those sands so beautiful it makes you want to return.
		Same view as above but with a bit of North Pier.
		Big Wheel on Central Pier. Big One at South Shore in the distance.
		Close up of the Central Pier Big Wheel. Look at the sky so blue it makes you want to return.
		Donkeys on the beach, having a good time.
		Walking along North Shore towards Gynn Square along the lower promenade of the 3 levels. North Pier and tower.
		Looking towards the Lake District from North Shore. Look at the sea so blue it makes you want to return.

Photographs of Blackpool Totally Transport Show June 2005, South Shore.

Totally Transport 2006 photo's, please return to this pageclick here

BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE

A Matcham designed pearl of a theatre, recently renovated and showing a wide range of presentations. Join Friends of the Grand. August 2007 new seats are being installed to give more leg room.

www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/

BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH

Blackpool Pleasure Beach® is Britain's top free tourist attraction welcoming over 7 million visitors annually. There's something for everyone at the Pleasure Beach®, with over 145 rides and attractions including one of the greatest selections of rollercoasters anywhere on the planet. Internationally acclaimed, award-winning live entertainment, it's a true wonderland with a feast of restaurants, cafés and bars alongside themed retail shops. Blackpool Pleasure Beach® is a FREE entry amusement park whose mission it is to make adults feel like children again.

Click here to go to the Pleasure Beach Site

BLACKPOOL STANLEY PARK

Stanley Park is a Grade II listed park of local, regional and national significance. Designed by the well respected landscape architect T H Mawson in the 1920s and opened by Edward George Villers Stanley (from whom the park gets its name) in 1926.

The parks importance stems from the quality of the original design as T H Mawson had a great affinity for the Arts and Crafts movement in vogue in the 1920s and the fact that the overall layout has changed little since its opening. Although some significant assets came later, such as the cafe building, (a fine example of the Arts and Crafts style of architecture) and Cocker Memorial Tower, being built in the 1930s. These elements are regarded as integral features of the park that add to its value.

The park has recently been granted a large sum to restore many of its features and work is now well underway. A new visitor centre has been built and the cafe is serving good food inside and 'al fresco'.

www.friendsofstanleypark.org.uk

To help on the park or other roles in Blackpool contact:

Blackpool Volunteering Centre link

BLACKPOOL ZOO

Just across the road from Stanley Park is the Zoo which has recently been modernised. Now open is the Dinosaur Safari.

http://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/

BLACKPOOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Recently modernised and providing a range of scheduled and charter flights international and with Ryanair to London Stanstead daily.

http://www.blackpoolinternational.com