United Kingdom, Blackpool

Blackpool is a seaside town in north-western England. The biggest and most popular seaside resort in Europe. It is traditionally part of Lancashire; Blackpool is close to Blackburn, Lancaster, Pemberton, Preston and Southport.

The first records of Blackpool were recorded in 1416 when it was known as Le Poole the Pool. Its name deriving from a stream of dark water draining from the moss area around Marton.

By the middle of the 18th Century, the practice of sea bathing to cure diseases was beginning to become fashionable among the wealthier classes, and visitors began making the arduous trek to Blackpool for that purpose.

In 1879 Blackpool became the first town to introduce electric street lights. However the Illuminations did not start until 1912.

Blackpool soon began to develop and by the end of the 19th Century the population had risen from 473 to 47,349.

Today Blackpool is Europes top seaside resort with over 16.5 million visitors per year and known world wide.

It has a population of 142,900, making it the largest settlement in Lancashire and the fourth largest in North West England. Known for its historic fishing port, Fleetwood is so close to Blackpool that is often considered a suburb and part of the Greater Blackpool region.

Blackpool enjoys a large number of small businesses and self-employed people, there are some large employers.

TVR formerly produced sports cars at its Bispham factory. Blackpool was also the original site of Swallow Sidecar Company forerunner of Jaguar Cars.
Many Blackpool residents work in the retail sector, either in the town centre or the retail parks on the edge of town.

One of Britain's most iconic seaside resorts, Blackpool is known for its glitzy arcades and amusements, endless beachfront, theme park and trams.

Blackpool's night life is renowned throughout the UK. Pubs and Nightclubs in Blackpool are second to none. As if renowned Empress Ballroom and Opera House - Britain's biggest theatre - weren't enough, the architects crammed the sprawling 4 and a half acre site with bits and pieces from dream palaces of a dozen ages and cultures.

Blackpool Sports Centre is located close to Stanley Park, and is a very well-equipped and well-funded centre, with something for everyone. Facilities include climbing walls, sports halls equipped for basketball, football, volleyball, indoor hockey and badminton, and has staff offering training in martial arts, fitness training and sports.

In and around Blackpool are some of the country’s finest Golf Courses making Blackpool the ideal place for Golf Breaks in Lancashire.

Most famous for its extremely historic seafront tramway, Blackpool contains a number of further cheap public transport options, which include buses, coaches and trains.

Blackpool has two main railway stations (Blackpool North and South). Trains are available to and from all major British destinations.

Blackpool has a small airport that accepts commercial flights from the Isle of Man, Belfast and Dublin. The nearest major international airport is Manchester which is approximately 30 miles away from Blackpool.