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Stanley Park named as best in England

Blackpool Attractions

Here at Blackpool.com we bring you the very latest news and information for all of the best Blackpool attractions and events throughout the year, as well as latest ticket discounts and family offers.

 

Stanley Park named as best in England

 

Stanley Park in Blackpool is a hugely popular facility, both with tourists and locals alike and as such, few will have been surprised to learn that it has won top honours in the country. The family-friendly park was named the best in England by Fields of Trust, in excess of 30,000 people taking part in the vote. As a direct result of this outcome, it has now officially been given ‘National Treasure’ status by the organisers off the vote.

Stanley Park was first opened some 96 years ago and it contains around 390 acres of beautiful green space including horticultural displays, remembrance gardens, playing fields and ornamental gardens. The size of the park makes it ideal for large groups or for those seeking peace and tranquillity. The wide variety6 of plants and trees make it a haven for wildlife and it is also popular for those simply seeking somewhere peaceful to have lunch.

The park is open each day and it offers a host of facilities for visitors, including children’s play areas, an athletics track and other sports facilities. There is an excellent cafe serving afternoon teas or light lunches and this overlooks the attractive Italian ornamental gardens. A popular attraction here is the Blackpool Model Village which contains, amongst other things, a Scottish castle, shopping centre, cricket pitch, working railway and station as well as village homes. The model village is open from April to November.

Stanley Park is conveniently located and is just a short drive from the seafront with ample off-street and on-street parking. The park is completely free for all to enter.

Blackpool Winter Gardens attracting some big names for Word Fest.

Blackpool Events

The 2022 summer season has already been a massive success for Blackpool’s tourism industry and there’s more to come well into the winter season with many more great Blackpool events lined-up, including Word Fest which is set to attract some big names to Blakcpool’s Winter Gardens.

 

Blackpool Winter Gardens attracting some big names for Word Fest.

 

Funny man Sir Lenny Henry, Latin and ballroom dancer Anton Du Beke and TV presenter Paul O’Grady will feature in an ‘in conversation with’ event at Word Fest. from Friday, 7th October until Monday, 10th October 2022.  Lenny Henry will talk about his latest book ‘Rising to the Surface’ on Sunday at 8pm and tickets for the event will include a signed copy of this book as well as a meet and greet with the comedian.

Paul O’Grady will talk about his book ‘Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang’ which is basically a story of a young boy who p[ossesses the ability to talk to animals. This will take place at 4pm on Sunday and tickets will include a signed copy of the book.

Strictly presenter Anton Du Beke will talk about his tale of dance which is centred on London’s Buckingham Hotel during WW2. This conversation takes place at 8pm on Monday, 10th October and the ticket will include a signed copy of Ballroom Blitz along with a chance to meet the dancer.

This is the first Word Fest to be held and tickets for the event have been selling extremely fast. It is the first new literary festival to be held in Northern England for a number of years. The festival will be co-produced by Kirkham bookstore Book Bean and Ice Cream as well as Winter Gardens Blackpool.

Blackpool Tower operator takes over Sandcastle Waterpark

Blackpool Family Attractions

Here at Blackpool.com we bring you all the latest visitor news for Blackpool and the surrounding area as well as information and news for the main Blackpool family attractions.

 

Blackpool Tower operator takes over Sandcastle Waterpark

 

Merlin Entertainments operates Madame Tussauds Blackpool, Sea Life Centre and Blackpool Tower, however Sandcastle Waterpark will soon be added to their portfolio.

It has been announced that Merlin Entertainments will be the new operator of Sandcastle Waterpark, meaning the giant leisure company will operate no less than nine family attractions in Blackpool. Merlin have been awarded a contract to operate the council-owned facility for an initial period of two years and this will come into effect later this month. The waterpark had its most profitable year in 2021/22 and this enabled the attraction to pay a dividend of £900,000 to Blackpool Council, thus helping to boost this year’s budget.

Sandcastle Waterpark is the largest indoor water park in the UK and it features over 18 slides in a climate of over 80 degrees.

Council leader, Coun Lynn Williams, said: “The Sandcastle Waterpark is one of the council’s big success stories. Over the years, it has received significant investment to enable it to retain and grow its immense popularity with visitors and residents alike.

“On the national stage it is viewed as an exemplar attraction in terms of its accessibility for people with a disability. We have an established relationship with Merlin Entertainments in terms of operating some of our key tourism assets and we are confident that this appointment will take the Sandcastle Waterpark on to the next level.”

The waterpark is expected to break records this year with the facility taking advantage of a large increase in visitor numbers when compared to 2019.

Regional director for Merlin Entertainments, Kate Shane, said: “We are thrilled to be adding the UK’s largest indoor waterpark to our Blackpool portfolio. With eight top attractions already in Blackpool, we’re excited to put on our armbands and add a ninth to our guest offering.

“We firmly support Blackpool’s ambition to be the UK’s number one family seaside resort and this partnership is another step forward in delivering this vision.”

Blackpool Illuminations are back with big switch on tonight

Blackpool Illuminations

 

The Blackpool Illuminations are back with a bang with the big switch-on taking place tonight (Friday 2nd September) and the early-autumn evenings will now be filled with a dazzling array of exciting displays right through to the new year.

The world-famous Blackpool Illuminations will need little introduction, the miles of fabulous lighting creations brightening up the promenade and luring thousands of extra visitors into the seaside resort each evening.

For the autumn and winter season, the illuminations will run from tonight (2nd September) right through to 2nd January 2023, therefore there is ample time to make arrangements to visit Blackpool and witness them for yourself. Many come just for the evening although some make it a weekend break at one of the hundreds of hotels and guest houses on offer.

The best way to see the illuminations is to park the car, grab yourself some fish and chips and then take a stroll along the promenade, thus ensuring that you don’t miss anything. Another excellent way to enjoy the spectacle is to jump onto one of the illuminated trams which depart regularly from the loop at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. These trains continue all the way to Bispham at the Northern end of the illuminations and you have the option to hop off at any stop along the way.

For 2022 there are some new features at the illuminations, these including such things as a tribute to the all-conquering England women’s football team. If you have limited time to see the illuminations, why not park up as close to the town centre as possible and enjoy the spectacle at the Tower or alternatively, walk the Tableaux at the north end of the display. Here you can enjoy a walk-through section which includes many old favourites such as the Teddy Bears Picnic, Hickory Dickory Dock and the Haunted Hotel.