BLACKPOOL

FACTS

Blackpool became a major seaside resort for tourism in 1870 - During this 19th century seaside revolution Blackpool was frequented by the working classes of Lancashire and Yorkshire.  Many of Blackpool's famous attractions were built during that thriving Victorian period - The 3 Piers , Blackpool Tower, The Grand Theatre, A gigantic wheel ride at the Winter Gardens (sadly gone now). The Promenade walks and Parkland areas.

It's a town full of FIRSTS,

 the BIGGEST the TALLEST the BEST: 

The FIRST town in the WORLD to have ELECTRIC STREET LIGHTING 1879.  (Hence the illumination celebrations) Back in 1879, Blackpool holidaymakers stood in awe of EIGHT arc lamps, an experimental display described as artificial sunshine.  The first street lighting in the whole world.
Combined with fireworks and a carnival atmosphere, the attraction brought in a staggering 100,000 visitors who filled up every hotel and lodging house for miles

Blackpool is still officially the busiest and most popular holiday destination in the whole of Europe - MORE people visit and stay in Blackpool than any other holiday destination in the whole of Europe.

Blackpool had the FIRST purpose built ice theatre in the whole world 1907. It was called the Ice Drome (not dome) and is situated at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach. This HUGE stunning ice ring now features the exciting "ECLIPSE" ice show spectacular. This show has international champions and Olympic skaters performing nightly stunts accompanied by dramatic sounds, lighting and costumes - a total contrast from the candle lit waltzes back in 1907

The FASTEST & TALLEST

roller coaster in Europe

The Ice Blast ride - was the UK's first VERTICAL white-knuckle thrill

Blackpool has The BIGGEST NIGHTCLUB in Europe (The Syndicate) 

  Blackpool has the LARGEST MIRROR BALL in the world

(The size of a double decker bus) & can be seen from the promenade south pier.    

Blackpool's famous Tower Circus officially opened on White Monday 1894 - The Tower Circus has always held in residence a prestigious CIRCUS CLOWN  - This title was held for many years by the famous Charlie Cairoli who was a particular favourite of our current Queen Elizabeth ll. 

 Cairoli appeared on many Royal Variety Performances playing his infamous kitchen sink trumpet. His white faced serious son "Charlie Jnr" would often preside in the ring dressed in a Harlequin outfit while playing a conventional trumpet. A shaved head stooge "Jimmy" would have custard poured into his floppy hat - Sadly Charlie passed away and the troupe disbanded -   

The current resident prestigious Clown at the Tower Circus is "MOOKEY - 

MOOKEY is a very funny, fresh faced clown.  Mookey sings, juggles and back-flips and is a truly multi talented magical Clown. He comes from circus royalty - both his parents and grand-parents have all held court and captivated audiences around Europe. You can see him perform daily throughout the season at the tower circus.  Watch in amazement as he magically transforms the ring into a water filled lake, complete with fountains, before your very eyes!

Blackpool took its name from “le pull” (the pool). Two merging streams that draining from Marton Mere and Marton Moss. These two streams would meander down through the peat mosses to merge at "Le pull" near our present day Manchester Square Pub on the sea front - and this historic site (sadly without a monument or pool anymore) is just round the corner from HOTEL365. The peat lands from which the streams ran through had the effect of discolouring the water, hence its name Black Poole.

1. 1846 - Talbot Road Train station opened on the 29th April
2. 1879 - Blackpool became the FIRST town in the world to have electric street lighting (Hence the Illumination celebration)
3. 1891 - 1894 Blackpool Tower was built - the famous 518 feet high tower is based on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and only cost £42,000 - 
4. 1905 - The Pleasure Beach was built and first rides installed
5.  
6. 1912 - Illuminations created to light up the promenade, to celebrate the electric light revolution, and extend the season by a massive eight weeks over all competitors - it was promoted under the heading "the greatest show on earth"
7. 1926 - Stanley Park was designed

Blackpool has many influences and many of its plants, foods and architecture arrived from over the sea and on the beach. Its famous winter gardens and Stanley park housed many exotic plants from all around the world - Blackpool Tower took many influences from Paris and when it was built the French influence brought us thinly cut French chips called "pomme frites" - however these thinly cut "pomme frites" arrived in Blackpools famous fishing port "Fleetwood" it changed. This is where fish was married with a much more chunky chip and became known as BRITISH FISH AND CHIPS -  THUS...A very British seaside traditional meal was born.

 Blackpool today is a very different place to those Victorian days - however Blackpool has not lost any of its heritage and charm.  Those cheeky novelty shops are still to be found on the piers and horse drawn carriages still carry 100's of tired Holiday makers majestically home along the promenade  -  The revolution is in the stylish bars and restaurants that accompany the top award winning shows and super chic nightclubs.. Blackpool truly has a 24hr culture and offers something for everyone. Traditional Fish & Chips sit alongside oven roasted vegetables and Carverys.  Peaceful walks and artistic sculptures sit alongside themed cafes and opulent Victorian architecture and in December 2009 the QUEEN arrives in town with the annual ROYAL VARIETY SHOW coming to Blackpools Opera House.