As we leave the stop the loop takes us to join the main line, to our right as we go around the curve is South Shore, the tram tracks going to the southern terminus of Starr Gate and home to the modern fleet of Flexity trams.
On the right now is Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which opened in 1896 and is still owned by the Thompson family today. The Big One – a fantastic roller coaster and highly recommended if you haven’t already been on it – has held a firm presence on Blackpool’s skyline since 1994.
Looking back to the sea shore is a work of art, The High Tide Organ, one of ten pieces of art titled The Great Promenade Show between here and Starr Gate. The High Tide Organ is powered by the tide forcing air up through the pipes to produce a distinctive sound – some call it music.
Next on the sea side is the Sandcastle Waterpark. Built in 1986 to replace the South Shore Baths. It is one of Europe’s largest indoor water parks. South Shore Baths was an open-air swimming pool and, when it opened in 1923, it was the largest in the world!
Across the road is the Velvet Coaster, which was the largest Wetherspoons pub in the UK when it opened in 2015. It was previously home to the Lucky Star amusement arcade.
South Pier was the last of the three piers to be built, in 1893, which makes it older than the Tower! It is the shortest and widest of our three piers. Originally called Victoria Pier it became South Pier when Central Pier changed its name from South to Central; confusing or what!
Passing Waterloo and St Chad’s headlands we head towards Manchester Square, home of the Manchester pub. You can see tram tracks crossing the road and heading inland. They lead to our Heritage Tram depot at Rigby Road.
Central Pier, the second pier to be constructed, opened in 1868. It was originally called South Pier until renamed Central Pier, which allowed Victoria Pier to be renamed South Pier. This became known as “The People’s Pier” famous for its outdoor dancing. It was some 1500 feet long with a 400 foot low water jetty. The Ferris wheel was added in 1990 which stands at 110 feet high.
Coral Island is Blackpool’s biggest indoor amusement centre with its own bars and casino.
Tussauds is the popular waxworks attraction. Marie Tussaud was an early example of an independent entrepreneurial woman who learned her trade in Paris, brought her young family to Britain to develop the waxworks as a tourist attraction.
Next to Tussauds is the Sealife Centre, where you can come face to face with sharks and other species in a see-through ocean tunnel. Across the road the RNLI lifeboat station is between the tramway and the sea.
Festival House, clad in distinctive golden stainless steel shingles, is home to a restaurant, the Tourist Information Centre and the Wedding Chapel, the only building on the seaward side of the promenade where couples can get married by the beach.
You can’t miss the Blackpool Tower which has dominated the Fylde coast skyline since it opened in 1894. At 518ft (158m) tall the structure needed 2586 tons of steel and iron to complete it. The view from the top is incredible.
The Tower Headland, opposite The Tower, is often used for outdoor events and features the Comedy Carpet, which pays tribute to over 1000 comedy stars with their punchlines and catchphrases. If you see people around here ‘reading the pavement’ – that’s the Comedy Carpet!
We will shortly be arriving at North Pier & Tower. Please click on the next tab.