The Appeal of Blackpool

Although we sometimes tend to think of Blackpool as a throwback to another era, in historical terms it’s something of a new town.

The population of Blackpool in 1801 was less than 500, and it was not until the advent of the railways that the town began to thrive. Rail travel made it much easier for people to reach the seaside, and Blackpool became one of the “in” places to head to.

Many of the visitors were workers in the Lancashire cotton mills, who headed to the seaside for a “wakes week” when the mills underwent annual service and repairs. Each of the mills closed for a different week, giving the town a lengthy summer season, and the number of hotels in Blackpool increased hugely.

Previously very much the poor relation to Fleetwood, it prospered as its neighbour declined, principal financial backer Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood going bankrupt. The first of the famous landmarks, the North Pier, was completed in 1863, the Central Pier arriving five years later. By 1881, Blackpool was beginning to take the shape we are familiar with today, with its distinctive promenade.

The heyday of the town was in the first half of the 20th century, and though visitor numbers have declined since the advent of cheap air travel, Blackpool still has plenty of appeal.

An independent survey of 4500 people published in 2010 found the resort to be the UK’s all-time favourite, well clear of rivals Brighton, Whitby, Bournemouth and Scarborough.

Blackpool is reputed to have more hotels and B&Bs than the whole of Portugal and, certainly, it’s not hard to find hotels to suit any budget.

Those looking for Blackpool holiday deals would do well to check out one of the top hotel ratings/booking sites that offer last minute deals. Standards in the town can vary considerably, so it’s always sensible to check out the reviews written by previous visitors before you make your final accommodation decision.