Blackpool ~ FY1

Blackpool Guide

Blackpool emerged in medieval times as a few coastal farmsteads within Layton-with-Warbreck. It took its name from 'le pull', a stream discoloured by the peat lands through which it ran, hence the name Black Poole. In the 14th century the small settlement at Blackpool was called simply 'Pul'. As sea bathing became fashionable, visitors were drawn to the area. A bell was rung when it was time for the ladies to bathe, and any gentleman found on the shore was fined a bottle of wine. The town became a Borough on the 21st January 1876. In 1889 the original Opera House was built in the Winter Gardens complex and Blackpool Tower and buildings, which included a circus and ballroom, opened in 1894.

Blackpool was constituted a County Borough on the 1 October 1904, a dignity it retained until the reorganisation of local government in 1974. The principal role of the town continues to be that of a holiday resort, with the tourist industry thought to employ 12,500 people in activities directly associated with the trade.

Places of interest

Blackpool has many wonderful attractions, including the Blackpool Countryside Experience, a series of nature walks from Stanley park through the Woodland Gardens. The Blackpool Illuminations show the city at its brightest and best. Blackpool Tower has a circus, a ballroom, children's entertainment and a playground. Blackpool Zoo Park has many exotic animals. There are three piers and a pleasure beach. The Great Promenade Show is an outdoor exhibition of features by some of the UK's leading artists and designers and Grundy Art Gallery hosts an annual programme of temporary exhibitions including traditional, modern and contemporary art and works. Learn about the natural world at the Sea Life Centre and The Solaris Centre for Environmental Excellence. Blackpool has a fine Sports Centre, and Moor Park Swimming Pool offers good facilities. There is also a10 Screen multiplex cinema. The town is growing in stature as a regional shopping centre, and is now ranked third in the shopping hierarchy of the North West.

Living in Blackpool

Blackpool is easily accessible from all parts of Great Britain with the M55 linking the town with the M6 and the country's motorway network. Blackpool enjoys the distinction of having a motorway link direct to the heart of the resort. Inter City trains to Preston connect with the local shuttle service giving a speedy service to Blackpool, with trains running to London via Preston. There is a frequent service to Manchester (including Manchester Airport). There are regular bus services to all parts of Blackpool and the surrounding area. Blackpool Airport is situated only 12 miles from the town centre, with daily flights to London, Barcelona and Dublin amongst the available destinations.

Education Inforamtion

Lancaster University is located in Blackpool, and there are a number of further education colleges, including sports and arts colleges. The colleges serve an area within a radius of some 20 miles. The local population of 330,000 live either in the denser urban clusters of Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Thornton, Cleveleys and Fleetwood or in rural towns and villages.

Estate and Letting Agents for Blackpool FY1