Rick Steves’ Europe: Blackpool, England
Home to a giant amusement park, a vintage trolley and an old-time variety show, Blackpool is northwest England’s glittering beach city
Blackpool Beach
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Blackpool-England-beach-main-1.jpg)
While sun worshippers may opt for staying on the beach, other visitors may check out the promenade or Blackpool Tower.
Blackpool Promenade
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Blackpool-England-promenade-main-2.jpg)
Blackpool, the first city in England to switch on electric streetlights, illuminates all six miles of waterfront each September and October.
Turn of the Century
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Blackpool-England-tower-beach-main-3.jpg)
Over-the-top it may be, but the perennially popular resort town has attracted huge crowds since the 1890s.
Vintage Trolley Cars
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Blackpool-England-trams-main-4.jpg)
The vintage trolley cars rattle constantly up and down the promenade in Blackpool.
Blackpool, England
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Blackpool-England-map-main-5.jpg)
Blinking and giggling on the coast just north of Liverpool, Blackpool has been the vacation dreamland of generations of working-class North Englanders.
Planning Your Next Trip?
Explore great travel deals
A Note to our Readers Smithsonian magazine participates in affiliate link advertising programs. If you purchase an item through these links, we receive a commission.