Blackpool Tourist Information

Blackpool Things To Do

Getting to Blackpool couldn't be easier. Blackpool Airport allows overseas visitors easy access to the town thanks to regular flights to Blackpool, which is also easy to get to from anywhere in the UK via direct motorway links and excellent public transport by both rail and coach. Blackpool Airport sits just minutes from the centre and Blackpool flights reach around 20 top European destinations.

Moving around Blackpool is also made easy via the iconic Blackpool Trams which run regularly along the full 12 mile stretch of the Blackpool Holiday Coast from Squires Gate to Fleetwood, easily the most convenient and best-loved form of Blackpool transport.

With established venues such as Blackpool Opera House, Blackpool theatre is as popular today as it has ever been. Blackpool is the home of shows and live entertainment performed within its many historic venues including two designed by the legendary Frank Matcham - the Grand Theatre and Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Music Hall, Variety, comedy, pop concerts, West End Musicals and cabaret are all here in Blackpool at the Opera House, Grand Theatre Blackpool, North Pier Theatre, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Arenas and the ever popular Funny Girls Showbar.

Funny Girls is a major contributor to the vibrant Blackpool gay scene in the North Shore area, which is also a stag and hen Mecca. The annual Blackpool Pride Festival in May celebrates Blackpool Gay Pride and attracts thousands to the area every year.

What's On In Blackpool

The rundown of what's on in Blackpool is enough to keep anyone busy during their holidays to Blackpool. Blackpool's Golden Mile Promenade offers a host of Blackpool family attractions including the Sea Life Centre, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Coral Island Amusements and Blackpool Sandcastle Indoor Waterpark - the UK's largest with 18 slides and famous Masterblaster indoor water rollercoaster!

Move inland slightly and Blackpool has more family holiday attractions around historic Stanley Park including a large boating lake, Model Village and nearby Blackpool Zoo.

Golf fans are always at home in Blackpool, with a choice of golf courses and golf hotels located in the resort and one of England's Golf Coast Royals and more renowned golf clubs like Fairhaven close to hand in nearby Lytham St Annes. Situated just south of Blackpool, Lytham and Lytham St Annes boast one of England's golf coast Royals and three other world class golf courses.

As well as golf attractions the Lancashire coast is on every bird watcher's list - Morecambe is famous for bird watching, with the sand flats and salt marshes providing a feeding ground for wading birds and wildfowl. Lytham St Annes has its own RSPB Discovery Centre on the edge of stunning Fairhaven Saltwater Lake. Elegant and tranquil St Annes, with classic Victorian Pier and a host of chic independent shops, particularly unique boutiques, has a distinct luxury edge. Blackpool Tourist Information Centre, Central Promenade, Blackpool FY1 1LY. Tel. 01253 478222. A tourist information point is also situated within Blackpool International Airport.

Lytham & Lytham St Annes

Lytham and Lytham St Annes have their own distinct classic seaside character. Tranquil and elegant with a glorious garden fronted seafront with charming Victorian Pier, Bandstand and Victorian hotels, this stretch of the coast is Lancashire's golf centre, home to one of the famous golf coast Royals, Royal Lytham & St. Annes golf club, and three other acclaimed Golf Courses - Old Links, Fairhaven and Green Drive.

Within easy reach of Blackpool Airport and Blackpool itself just to the north, Lytham boasts a fine selection of attractions including historic sites such as Lytham Hall and the famous Lytham Green Windmill, plus a superb heritage centre with changing exhibitions.

Seaside attractions on the St Annes waterfront include St Annes Pool, a cinema and amusements at The Island, Fairhaven Saltwater Lake for boating and adjacent RSPB Discovery Centre and miniature golf and railway. Some of the best of Lancashire independent shopping and fine dining are to be found around St Annes, Lytham and the nearby Fylde villages.

• Lytham St Annes Accommodation
• Lytham Bed and Breakfasts
• Hotels in Lytham St Annes

Fleetwood, Cleveleys & The Wyre

Fleetwood, Cleveleys and the Wyre are all well worth a visit if you find yourself in the Blackpool area. Sitting just north of Blackpool, the Wyre Coast and Countryside are one of the North West's lesser known gems, with Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton and Poulton-le-Fylde sitting within the area. The 11 miles of stunning coast here pushing up to Morecambe Bay are easily accessed from Blackpool via the Fylde Coast Tram service. Ferries run regularly from Fleetwood across the Wyre Estuary to Knott End and you can pick up direct ferries to Fleetwood from Larne in Ireland via Stena Line. Fleetwood and the Wyre host numerous festivals and events throughout the year including the renowned Fylde Folk Festival.

The Wyre Coast has a rich marine heritage, best explored at the comprehensive Fleetwood Museum. Charming pretty villages abound in the Wyre Countryside including Great Eccleston - home to the popular Tractor Pulling events and Singleton where kids will love the seasonal Maize Maze. The Forest of Bowland beyond Garstang is within easy reach of popular Wyre bases Cleveleys, Thornton and Fleetwood as is bustling Blackpool to the south and Morecambe and Lancaster to the north.

Push inland from the coast and you're in Wyre Estuary Country Park territory. This award winning accessible park sits close to the Forest of Bowland, and is fast gaining a reputation for being one of the most accessible parks in the UK. A choice of footpaths are fully accessible as are various bird hideaways. Popular attractions around Fleetwood and the Wyre, many of which are perfect for families, include the revamped beautiful Cleveleys Promenade with artworks, cinema and pretty Jubilee Gardens, the ever popular Fleetwood Freeport Shopping Outlet, a choice of family farm parks, Marsh Mill Windmill with shops, restaurants and heritage centre at Thornton and the Marine Hall Theatre and Events venue on the Fleetwood Waterfront.

The Wyre also has an outstanding reputation for the finest of Lancashire food, on sale in the regions many markets and enjoyed in numerous fine restaurants. Find details on the Wyre's many markets and acclaimed restaurants online, along with details of Wyre Festivals and Events.

• Bed and Breakfast in Fleetwood
• Accommodation in Fleetwood
• Hotels in Fleetwood

Morecambe & Morecambe Bay

Morecambe Bay is one of the best places to visit around Blackpool and Morecambe's seaside resort history is as rich as Blackpool, and the town is currently seeing some exciting changes including the opening of newly revamped seafront Art Deco marvel - the Midland Hotel Morecambe. Morecambe offers a superb choice of shows, music festivals, cafes, pubs and restaurants in Morecambe, boosted by the fantastic statue of Eric Morecambe and other striking sculptures along Morecambe's glorious promenade with views across to the Lake District mountains. Morcambe is famous for its sublime sunsets!

Morecambe offers a fabulous choice of seaside entertainment with lively pubs and the resort's famous beautiful Morecambe Bay overlooking the Lake District Hills. Morecambe is seeing some exciting changes in recent times. This historic seaside resort is home to one of the UK's most famous Art Deco treasures - the Midland Hotel due to reopen in Summer 2008 after extensive renovations. The Midland Hotel forms a centrepiece for a host of Deco and historic architecture in Morecambe. The resort's stunning Winter Gardens is open for tours and pushing ahead with regeneration plans with the help of patrons including Morecambe born Wagne Hemingway, and Ken Dodd who performed in this glorious music hall on numerous occasions. Read more via the Winter Gardens' webguide - tours are highly recommended.

The resort boasts a fine selection of seaside holiday attractions including its glorious long 5 mile flat level promenade with views of the Lake District Mountains. Extensively renovated, Morecambe's now stunning sandy beach bays are perfect for families and a choice of amusements and kids play areas line the promenade. Restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars, cinemas, Splash Pools, bowling and Megazone laser adventure are some of Morecambe's many seaside holiday attractions. Not forgetting too the resort's famous sunsets!

Walking around Morecambe is to marvel at its architecture - the Deco front of Woolworths, the Winter Gardens and the spectacular seafront Art Deco Midland Hotel. Morecambe's promenade is dotted with sculptures which form part of the TERN Public Art project which includes the popular Eric Morecambe statue on the promenade. Morecambe Bay is a hotspot for bird watching, with the sand flats and salt marshes providing a feeding ground for wading birds and wildfowl. The Platform situated just opposite the Midland hotel is Morecambe's top entertainment venue. A character railway station building conversion, the Platform plays host to Morecambe's music festivals and numerous concerts, comedy evenings and shows.

• Morecambe B&B
• Hotels in Morecambe
• Morecambe Holiday Parks

Carnforth & Carnforth Station Visitor Centre

Carnforth is most famous for its station, which featured centre stage in the 1945 legendary David Lean film 'Brief Encounter'. Carnforth Station & Visitor Centre includes an exhibit room totally dedicated to Brief Encounter alongside exhibits on the history of the railway, Carnforth Station, station workers and local residents.

Numerous events run at the station throughout the year including the August 'Age of Steam' Festival and a host of Antiques and Collectors Fairs. A gift shop and recreated Refreshment Room from the Brief Encounter Film are on-site.

Carnforth is ideally located for access to a number of nearby attractions including the RSPB Leighton Moss Reserve, the North West's largest reedbed with on-site hides, trails and a visitor centre.

The fully navigable Lancaster Canal pushes up from Lancaster to Carnforth, taking in spectacular views of Morecambe Bay and the Lune Aqueduct. Canal Boat Trips run regularly from Lancaster to Carnforth, culminating at Canal Turn in Carnforth where you'll find the great family Canal Turn Canalside Pub.

• Carnforth Holiday Cottages
• Carnforth Bed and Breakfast
• Carnforth Accommodation