If Brighton represents reinvention and cosmopolitan flair, Blackpool remains the undisputed symbol of traditional British seaside tourism. Situated on the Lancashire coast, Blackpool rose to prominence during the industrial era as a place of escape, pleasure, and spectacle for working-class families seeking relief from the pressures of urban life (Walton, 2009). Today, it continues to attract millions of visitors each year, offering a powerful blend of heritage, entertainment, nostalgia, and regeneration.
1.0 The Birth of a Seaside Giant
Blackpool’s development as a holiday destination accelerated in the late nineteenth century, driven by the expansion of the railway network and the introduction of paid holidays. As Walton (2000) explains, Blackpool became a pioneer of mass seaside tourism, providing affordable leisure for industrial workers from northern cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Unlike more genteel resorts, Blackpool embraced popular entertainment, funfairs, dance halls, and theatrical performances. This emphasis on pleasure and accessibility shaped its identity and ensured its reputation as “the people’s resort”, a legacy that remains central to its tourism appeal.
2.0 Iconic Attractions and the Power of Spectacle
Blackpool’s skyline and seafront are instantly recognisable, dominated by a collection of attractions that have become national cultural icons. The Blackpool Tower, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, symbolises aspiration, modernity, and spectacle. Nearby, the Golden Mile pulses with arcades, shows, and amusement venues, while Blackpool Pleasure Beach remains one of Europe’s most famous theme parks.
Perhaps no attraction captures the spirit of the resort better than the Blackpool Illuminations, an annual light display stretching several miles along the promenade. Edensor and Millington (2013) argue that the Illuminations represent a celebration of working-class creativity and popular culture, drawing visitors long after the summer season ends.
Research by Hughes and Allen (2008) confirms that live entertainment and spectacle remain key motivators for visitors to Blackpool, distinguishing it from quieter or more nature-focused coastal destinations.
3.0 The Beach and Promenade Experience
Blackpool’s wide sandy beach and expansive promenade offer a classic seaside environment, encouraging walking, people-watching, and casual leisure. While the resort is not primarily associated with tranquillity, studies suggest that visitors value its vibrant atmosphere, accessibility, and sense of collective enjoyment (Tunstall & Penning-Rowsell, 1998).
Recent investment in the promenade has improved public spaces, lighting, and transport links, reinforcing Blackpool’s role as a high-capacity visitor destination capable of hosting large-scale tourism events (Edensor & Millington, 2018).
4.0 Entertainment, Performance and the Visitor Economy
Entertainment lies at the heart of Blackpool’s tourism economy. The town has long been associated with variety shows, ballroom dancing, comedy, and live performance, most famously at the Tower Ballroom and Winter Gardens.
Hughes and Benn (1997) emphasise that entertainment tourism plays a more central role in Blackpool than in most other British resorts. This focus supports longer stays, repeat visitation, and evening economies, all of which are critical to coastal tourism sustainability.
For many visitors, a holiday in Blackpool is defined not by relaxation alone, but by shared experiences of fun, laughter, and spectacle—elements deeply embedded in the town’s tourism DNA.
5.0 Decline, Challenge and Regeneration
Like many traditional seaside resorts, Blackpool experienced decline during the late twentieth century, as cheap air travel and overseas package holidays reduced domestic demand. Social deprivation, ageing infrastructure, and reputational challenges followed.
However, academic research increasingly highlights Blackpool as a case study in tourism resilience and regeneration. Walton and Wood (2016) argue that the town’s strong heritage of popular entertainment provides a foundation for renewal rather than an obstacle.
Investment in new attractions, heritage preservation, conference tourism, and cultural events reflects a strategic effort to diversify the visitor economy while retaining the town’s distinctive character (Kennell, 2011).
6.0 Heritage, Nostalgia and Authenticity
A key strength of Blackpool lies in its ability to trade on nostalgia and authenticity. Light and Chapman (2022) suggest that the heritage of the English seaside holiday is increasingly valued by visitors seeking experiences that feel genuine and emotionally resonant.
Blackpool’s unapologetic embrace of its past—rather than an attempt to sanitise or erase it—allows the resort to stand out in an increasingly competitive tourism market. For many visitors, Blackpool represents a connection to family memories, collective history, and shared cultural rituals.
7.0 Blackpool in the Contemporary Tourism Landscape
Today, Blackpool attracts a diverse visitor base, including families, older tourists, event-goers, and short-break travellers. Its affordability, accessibility, and concentration of attractions make it particularly appealing during periods of economic uncertainty.
Smith (2004) argues that resorts such as Blackpool demonstrate how popular culture and heritage tourism can coexist, offering lessons for coastal destinations across Britain and beyond.
8.0 An Enduring Symbol of the British Seaside
Blackpool endures because it understands what it has always offered best: pleasure, performance, and participation. While it continues to adapt to changing markets and expectations, its core identity remains intact.
As Walton (2009) notes, the British seaside is not a relic of the past but a living, evolving tradition. Blackpool, with its lights, laughter, and relentless energy, remains the most powerful expression of that tradition—a place where the classic British seaside holiday continues to thrive.
References
Edensor, T. & Millington, S. (2013) Blackpool Illuminations: Revaluing local cultural production and working-class values. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 19(2), pp. 145–162.
Edensor, T. & Millington, S. (2018) Learning from Blackpool Promenade. The Sociological Review, 66(3), pp. 492–508.
Hughes, H.L. & Benn, D. (1997) Entertainment in tourism: A study of visitors to Blackpool. Managing Leisure, 2(4), pp. 217–230.
Hughes, H.L. & Allen, D. (2008) Entertainment and its significance in the holiday experience at UK seaside resorts. Tourism Recreation Research, 33(2), pp. 173–181.
Kennell, J. (2011) Rediscovering cultural tourism: Cultural regeneration in seaside towns. Journal of Town and City Management, 2(1), pp. 48–58.
Light, D. & Chapman, A. (2022) The neglected heritage of the English seaside holiday. Coastal Studies & Society, 1(2), pp. 95–112.
Smith, M.K. (2004) Seeing a new side to seasides: Culturally regenerating the English seaside town. International Journal of Tourism Research, 6(1), pp. 17–28.
Tunstall, S. & Penning-Rowsell, E. (1998) The English beach: Experiences and values. The Geographical Journal, 164(3), pp. 292–305.
Walton, J.K. (2000) The British Seaside: Holidays and Resorts in the Twentieth Century. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Walton, J.K. (2009) Seaside tourism on a global stage. Journal of Tourism History, 1(1), pp. 1–15.
Walton, J.K. & Wood, J. (2016) Reputation and regeneration: History and heritage in the re-making of Blackpool. In: Valuing Historic Environments. London: Routledge.
VisitBlackpool (2024) Official Visitor Guide. Available at: https://www.visitblackpool.com.
