Attractions
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Blackpool, on the Fylde coast of Lancashire, England, is just as renowned for its famous, old landmarks and pubs as it is for its huge popularity as the UK's leading holiday resort.
Four of the most ancient pubs here in our colourful town are the Gynn Inn on Dickson Road which was built in the early 16th century; the Saddle on Whitegate Drive which is probably even older; the Foxhall on Central Promenade built around 1663 and Uncle Tom's Cabin on Queen's Promenade which was first built in 1850.
The Gynn Inn
Blackpool, now Europe's most popular holiday resort, has evolved out of all recognition since the 18th century. Today it's teeming with hotels, pubs, shops, clubs, world-famous landmarks (you name it - you'll find it here!) and welcomes millions of visitors each year.
It is almost impossible to imagine that the Blackpool of the early 1700s was a vast expanse of marshy land with only a sprinkling of 'houses' (only 4 with slate roofs) and a couple of inns. As the years have passed many of the oldest and most historic hotels and inns, built here as the town grew, have unfortunately vanished from the scene with the insistent calls for development and change.
One of the most famous, certainly the oldest and probably the best-known of the inns to visitors of past generations was the old, picturesque, whitewashed Gynn Inn of North Shore.
There are apparently still pictures in existence showing this ancient building, then a farmhouse, in the 16th century!
The Winter Gardens
In the late nineteenth century the prospering seaside town of Blackpool set about the building of a huge, grand and visionary complex across four and a half acres of its most valuable estate.
Unique to Blackpool and recently restored to its historic grandeur and pristine glory the Wintergardens is one of the most amazing buildings in the world.
Open to the public and including creations from dream palaces from many ages and cultures, it's a lavish arrangement of crystal domes, theatres, gardens, fountains and promenades - a masterpiece of the Victorian era.
Blackpool's Wintergardens was officially opened to the public on July 11th 1878. However, an open-air skating rink was built first in 1876. This was later transformed into Newsome's Circus. For the two years before the fabulous Empress Ballroom was created and opened in 1897 this part of the complex housed Noah's Ark - an entertaining collection of performing animals, birds and reptiles!
Blackpool Trams
The trams here in Blackpool are even older than Blackpool Tower which was opened in 1894. The Blackpool Electrical Tramway Company was formed in January 1885 and the first rails were laid outside the Metropole (then Baileys) Hotel in March of the same year.
Blackpool had the very first electric tramway system in Britain.
When Alderman McNaughton, the chairman of the company then, attached an insulator to the rails at the opening ceremony he said "This little act is important because this line will be the first in the world to be worked safely in the public street by electricity" - one of Blackpool's claims to fame. It's a system which still attracts enthusiasts from all over the world.
Blackpool's first tramcar - No. 5 - gave free rides along the Promenade between the Foxhall and the Wellington Hotels until the line was passed for service and officially opened on September 29th 1885.
Blackpool Promenade (and The Golden Mile)
Throughout Blackpool's long and colourful history its impressive Promenade has been one of the star attractions.
The 'Prom' has played a huge part in the development of a once small town (with a population of under 6000) into the outstanding, world-famous resort it is today.
Blackpool had a 'promenade' (a short, grassy 'walk' with magnificent sea views running north for about a mile and a half from the Clifton Hotel in Talbot Square) as far back as its very earliest days towards the close of the 18th century.
As more and more visitors arrived here the 'walk' was improved by the addition of, at regular intervals, benches with high ends and backs to screen off the wind and covers for shelter should it rain (it occasionally does that in Blackpool!!).
At the start of the 19th century this grassy parade was still in existence.
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower celebrated its 110th birthday in May 2004. Here are 110 facts about the world famous attraction and the history so far...
Blackpool Tower - The original Dr Cockers Menagerie located on the site before the Tower1. Part of the aquarium pre dates the rest of the Tower building by twenty years. It was kept open to earn revenue while the Tower building went up around it.
An aviary as part of Dr Cockers Menagerie accompanied the aquarium. When the Tower was completed the aviary moved up to the area now occupied by Jungle Jims.
The menagerie featured wild animals, tropical birds and fish – all of which were relatively unknown to the Lancashire mill workers.
Blackpool Tower - The Orchestrion installed in the Aquarium, picture take in February 19534. An orchestrion was installed at the entrance of the aquarium to attract the public into the building. The orchestrion worked on the principle of a large barrel organ and was originally powered by weights, similar to a grandfather clock. It is now displayed in a Birmingham museum
Blackpool Tower Circus
Every year millions of holidaymakers flock to Blackpool to enjoy themselves and for many of them their stay isn't complete without at least one trip to our unforgettable and very beautiful circus.
Blackpool Tower Circus has often been described as 'the word's most beautiful circus building' and when you visit you'll see that this is very true.
From its spartan beginnings its become an outstanding circus auditorium. The boroche, gilded imitation Moorish decor (originally designed by the famous Victorian arcitect Frank Matcham), the steeply-banking red velvet seating (for 1,200), views unhampered by pillars or poles and the colourful running lights all combine to give an intimate, warm friendly atmosphere.
All this and the famous sinking ring which has been meticulously maintained and provides a fabulous water finale for every show make Blackpool Tower Circus every circus fan's fantasy
Blackpool History
The Fylde was an area of forests and bogs dating back to Roman times. We were known as the water dwellers. The Romans built a road which went through Preston, and then continued west to a port situated north of Fleetwood.
The ancient parish of Bispham was recorded in the Doomsday Book. In 1416 a district in the Fylde, including an area known as "Le Poole" the "pool", was a stream which drained the area known as Marton Mere into the sea near Manchester Square. The stream went through peat bog land, which turned the water to a black colour, hence the name Black Poole.
In 1602 people began to build cobble and clay huts near to the area of the "Pool". In the Bispham parish register, the names of " de Poole" and "de blackpoole" were mentioned, and the name of "Black Poole", was shortened to the present day name of "Blackpool".