Blackpool Attractions

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The Times lists Blackpool beach as one of the best in the North

The Sunday Times has produced a guide to the best beaches around Great Britain and Blackpool has received a high ranking amongst the beaches in the North of England.

The Sunday Times has been busy compiling a listing of the very best beaches throughout the country and Blackpool has been given eighth position in the north. The guide was published online on Friday, 1st July and the print version was launched on Sunday, 3rd July.

This definitive guide was produced by Chris Haslam, chief travel writer for the Sunday Times, and he chose the top 50 beaches from a pretty exhaustive list of 800 which he visited personally. In all, Blackpool beach made it into the top ten.

Blackpool beach has always been hugely popular with holidaymakers and a great starting point for a walk on the sands is the iconic North Pier. Blackpool is the only UK seaside resort to boast three piers and the North Pier is the only one to hold a Grade 2 listing. Here you will find the North Pier Theatre where you can enjoy a variety of musical and comedy acts, while families can enjoy the ever-popular ice cream parlour, Venetian Carousel or Victorian tea room.

Further down the sands, the Central Pier is a popular venue for families with its famous Ferris Wheel while the South Pier is equally popular with a Blue Flag beach alongside.

The Times’ Guide to the best British beaches provides useful information such as toilet facilities, car parking, shops and refreshments.

Chris Haslam said: “This has been the 15th circumnavigation of the British coast for me, and the second for my Jack Russell assistant Dave T. Dog. Over eight weeks we’ve seen sunrises and sunsets, sand and shingle, surfed with dolphins and kayaked with seals.

“We’ve navigated canyon-like lanes to empty coves, queued to get onto urban hotspots, and, in one case, swam through a tunnel to reach an otherwise inaccessible bay. This is the most comprehensive and detailed beach guide available and it proves that, when the sun is shining, our beaches are the most beautiful on earth.”

Best Beaches Listing, North of England

1: Sandhaven, South Shields

2: Howdiemont, Northumberland

3: Newton Steads, Northumberland

4: St Aidan’s Dunes, Northumberland

5: Whitby West, Yorkshire

6: Cornelian Bay, Yorkshire

7: Redcar Coatham, Yorkshire

8: Blackpool Central