l l E E n n g g l l a a n n d d L L A A N N C C A A S S H H I I R R E E a talented ar
a talented artist and mechanic. His Blackpooltist and mechanic. His Blackpool pier was one of
pier was one of many – others includedmany – others included Margate, Aber
Margate, Aberystwyth, Brighton West,ystwyth, Brighton West,
Eastbourne, Hastings, Lytham and Plymouth Eastbourne, Hastings, Lytham and Plymouth – the last opened in the year of his death.
– the last opened in the year of his death.
Currently
Currently, the , the Promenade between the NorthPromenade between the North Pier and
Pier and Sandcastle WSandcastle Waterpark is aterpark is being being extended and improved to provide a stylish extended and improved to provide a stylish new seafront and to
new seafront and to bolster coastal defences.bolster coastal defences.
One of
One of the town’the town’s less well knowns less well known attractions is the
attractions is the Grundy Art GalleryGrundy Art Gallery inin Queen Street, which has an interesting Queen Street, which has an interesting collection of
collection of Victorian oils and watercolouVictorian oils and watercolours,rs, contemporary prints, modern British paintings contemporary prints, modern British paintings and a fascinating exhibit on Old Blackpool.
and a fascinating exhibit on Old Blackpool.
Despite its reputation as a brash and lively Despite its reputation as a brash and lively resort, Blackpool also has its quiet, secluded resort, Blackpool also has its quiet, secluded corners where visitors can
corners where visitors can escape the crowds.escape the crowds.
There are seven mile
There are seven miles of s of sea front, from thesea front, from the North Shore down as
North Shore down as far as Squire’s Gate andfar as Squire’s Gate and Lytham, where the pace of life is gentler and Lytham, where the pace of life is gentler and the beaches are quieter.
the beaches are quieter. BlackpoolBlackpool Tramways
Tramways have provided a most enjoyablehave provided a most enjoyable way
way of of exploring these exploring these less busy sides less busy sides of of thethe town and its environs for many
town and its environs for many years.years.
Opened in 1885, it was the world’s first Opened in 1885, it was the world’s first electric street tram system. The route was electric street tram system. The route was extended along the Lytham road in 1895 and extended along the Lytham road in 1895 and later connected with other routes in nearby later connected with other routes in nearby Lytham St Anne’s. Still a popular means of Lytham St Anne’s. Still a popular means of transport here today
transport here today, many of , many of the tramcarsthe tramcars date from the 1930s or 1950s and the
date from the 1930s or 1950s and the
managing company has a special selection of managing company has a special selection of vintage cars, which they run on special
vintage cars, which they run on special
occasions such as the ceremonial lighting of occasions such as the ceremonial lighting of the
the IlluminationsIlluminations..
A couple of miles inland from Pleasure A couple of miles inland from Pleasure Beach,
Beach, Martin MereMartin Mere is a Wildlife andis a Wildlife and W
Wetlands Trust bird reseretlands Trust bird reserve where more thanve where more than 160 species have been recorded. The 10-acre 160 species have been recorded. The 10-acre lake is the year-round home for hundreds of lake is the year-round home for hundreds of
geese, swans, ducks and even flamingos, and a geese, swans, ducks and even flamingos, and a temporary resting place for thousands more.
temporary resting place for thousands more.
Nearby,
Nearby, Stanley Park Stanley Park is spacious, well-is spacious, well-maintained and peaceful, and noted for its maintained and peaceful, and noted for its Italian garden and pleasure lake. Within the Italian garden and pleasure lake. Within the park is Blackpool Model Village, 2½ acres of park is Blackpool Model Village, 2½ acres of gardens, entertaining model displays and a gardens, entertaining model displays and a couple of
couple of ponds stocked with kponds stocked with koi carp.oi carp.
Adjacent to the park,
Adjacent to the park,Blackpool ZooBlackpool Zoo is homeis home to more than 400 animals from all around the to more than 400 animals from all around the world, including lions, tigers, ele
world, including lions, tigers, elephants,phants, gorillas, lemurs, exotic birds and gorillas, lemurs, exotic birds and creepy-crawlies
crawlies. A popular . A popular attraction is the attraction is the DinosaurDinosaur Safari, which takes visitors back through time Safari, which takes visitors back through time to the world of dinosaurs, experiencing to the world of dinosaurs, experiencing erupting volcanoes, spouting geysers and erupting volcanoes, spouting geysers and terrifying reptiles along the way. The latest terrifying reptiles along the way. The latest addition is Amazonia, a walk-round exhibit addition is Amazonia, a walk-round exhibit that houses five species of
that houses five species of monkeymonkey, along with, along with South American wildfowl, parrots and agouti.
South American wildfowl, parrots and agouti.
In a town that places such emphasis on In a town that places such emphasis on novelty
novelty, it’, it’s something of s something of a surprise to find aa surprise to find a magnificent
magnificent Norman archNorman arch in one of itsin one of its churches
churches. All Hallows Church itself . All Hallows Church itself is 19this 19th century
century, but the , but the arch was retained from anarch was retained from an earlier building. It is carved with the signs of earlier building. It is carved with the signs of the zodiac and is remarkably well-preserved.
the zodiac and is remarkably well-preserved.
Around Blackpool Around Blackpool
CLEVELEYS CLEVELEYS
5 miles
5 miles N of N of Blackpool Blackpool on the Aon the A584584
This popular seaside resort is less boisterous This popular seaside resort is less boisterous
than its neighbour Blackpool to the south, and than its neighbour Blackpool to the south, and is altogether
is altogether more attractive architecturallymore attractive architecturally.. This is hardly surprising as the town began to This is hardly surprising as the town began to
grow after an architectural competition, grow after an architectural competition, organised in 1906, in which Sir Edwin organised in 1906, in which Sir Edwin
Lutyens, the designer of modern Whitehall in Lutyens, the designer of modern Whitehall in London, was involved.
London, was involved.
G G u u i i d d e e t t o o R R u u r r a a l l E E n n g g l l a a n n d d L L A A N N C C A A S S H H I I R R E E FLEETWOOD
FLEETWOOD
8 miles
8 miles N of N of Blackpool Blackpool on the on the A587 A587
B
B Fleetwood MuseumFleetwood Museum FF Fisherman’s FriendFisherman’s Friend
Cleveleys in turn links up with Fleetwood, Cleveleys in turn links up with Fleetwood, which until 1836 was just a small fishing village.
which until 1836 was just a small fishing village.
Local landowner
Local landowner Sir Peter Hesketh-FleetwoodSir Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood decided to develop the area as a seaside resort decided to develop the area as a seaside resort and employed a leading architect, Decimus and employed a leading architect, Decimus Burton, who had designed large parts of Burton, who had designed large parts of St Leonards-on-Sea and Hove. Burton St Leonards-on-Sea and Hove. Burton waswas responsible for
responsible for the town’the town’s most prs most prominentominent feature, The Mount - a seven-acre park facing feature, The Mount - a seven-acre park facing the seafront and built on a large sand-dune the seafront and built on a large sand-dune originally known as Tup’
originally known as Tup’s Hill. At the s Hill. At the highesthighest point is a pavilion built in 1902 incorporating a point is a pavilion built in 1902 incorporating a clock added in 1919. The wall on the inland clock added in 1919. The wall on the inland side of
side of The Mount is built from peThe Mount is built from pebbles, inbbles, in traditional Fylde style. Directly across The traditional Fylde style. Directly across The Esplanade from the Mount stands The Marine Esplanade from the Mount stands The Marine Hall and Marine Gardens, Wyre Borough’s Hall and Marine Gardens, Wyre Borough’s largest entertainment venue, opened in 1935.
largest entertainment venue, opened in 1935.
The opening of the railway extension from The opening of the railway extension from Preston to Fleetwood was a key factor in the Preston to Fleetwood was a key factor in the town’s development and the impressive North town’s development and the impressive North Euston Hotel, which opened in 1842, reflects Euston Hotel, which opened in 1842, reflects those railway links. Queen Victoria used those railway links. Queen Victoria used
Fleetwood as she travelled to Scotland for her Fleetwood as she travelled to Scotland for her annual holiday. However, this was all before the annual holiday. However, this was all before the railway companies managed to lay
railway companies managed to lay a track overa track over Shap Fell in Cumbria in 1847 and
Shap Fell in Cumbria in 1847 and thus providethus provide a direct rail link to Scotland. Sir Peter was a direct rail link to Scotland. Sir Peter was bankrupted but the town itself continued to bankrupted but the town itself continued to flourish as a port and seaside resort.
flourish as a port and seaside resort.
The town’s
The town’sMuseumMuseum, overlooking the River, overlooking the River Wyre, illustrates the town’
Wyre, illustrates the town’s links with s links with the fishing the fishing industry, which suffered greatly from the
industry, which suffered greatly from the Icelandic cod wars of
Icelandic cod wars of the 1970sthe 1970s..
The town’s most famous product is known The town’s most famous product is known around the world. In 1865, a
around the world. In 1865, a local chemistlocal chemist named James Lofthouse created a compound named James Lofthouse created a compound of liquorice, capsicum, eucalyptus and
of liquorice, capsicum, eucalyptus and
methanol designed to relieve the sore throats methanol designed to relieve the sore throats and bronchial troubles endured by fishermen and bronchial troubles endured by fishermen at sea. He called the mixture
at sea. He called the mixture Fisherman’sFisherman’s Friend
Friend and it was remarkably successful. Theand it was remarkably successful. The only problem was that the bottles in which it only problem was that the bottles in which it was sold frequently shattered in the rough was sold frequently shattered in the rough Atlantic seas. So Lofthouse transformed the Atlantic seas. So Lofthouse transformed the liquid into a lozenge, which is still produced liquid into a lozenge, which is still produced by his descendants and has enormous sales by his descendants and has enormous sales worldwide.
worldwide.
ROSSALL POINT ROSSALL POINT
9 mil
9 miles N oes N of f BlacBlackpookpool off l off the Athe A587 587
Situated at the northern tip of the Fylde coast, Situated at the northern tip of the Fylde coast, Rossall Point is where the Hesketh-Fleetwood Rossall Point is where the Hesketh-Fleetwood family, the force behind the creation of
family, the force behind the creation of Fleetwood, had their home. Their
Fleetwood, had their home. Their impressiveimpressive mansion is still standing and is now part of mansion is still standing and is now part of Rossall School.
Rossall School.
POULTON-LE-FYLDE POULTON-LE-FYLDE
3 miles
3 miles NE of NE of Blackpool Blackpool on the Aon the A586 586
C
C Danes PadDanes Pad AA Church of St ChadChurch of St Chad I
I Teanlay NightTeanlay Night II Skippool CreekSkippool Creek
This is one of the oldest towns in the ancient This is one of the oldest towns in the ancient
area known as Amounderness. The
area known as Amounderness. The RomansRomans were known to have been in the area and it were known to have been in the area and it was probably their handiwork that
was probably their handiwork that constructed the
constructed the Danes PadDanes Pad, an ancient, an ancient trackway. Many Roman artefacts were trackway. Many Roman artefacts were discove
discovered along red along its course.its course.
Poulto
Poulton developed as n developed as a commercial centrea commercial centre for the surrounding agricultural communities for the surrounding agricultural communities and its Market Place remains its focal point. In and its Market Place remains its focal point. In 1732, a great fire, started by sparks from the 1732, a great fire, started by sparks from the torches of a funeral procession, destroyed torches of a funeral procession, destroyed most of the thatched cottages that surrounded most of the thatched cottages that surrounded the market square in those days. Consequently, the market square in those days. Consequently, little of
little of old Poulton can be seen in the centreold Poulton can be seen in the centre of the town.
of the town.
The present
The presentChurcChurch of h of St ChadSt Chad datesdates
G G u u i i d d e e t t o o R R u u r r a a l l E E n n g g l l a a n n d d L L A A N N C C A A S S H H I I R R E E from the early 17th century, though the
from the early 17th century, though the majority of the building is Georgian. Inside majority of the building is Georgian. Inside there’s a splendid Georgian nave from which a there’s a splendid Georgian nave from which a magnificent staircase leads to typically
magnificent staircase leads to typically
Georgian galleries running around three sides.
Georgian galleries running around three sides.
As Poulton was a key town in the area As Poulton was a key town in the area forfor
centuries, it is not surprising that there are centuries, it is not surprising that there are several magnificent memorials to the local several magnificent memorials to the local Fleetwood-H
Fleetwood-Hesketh family to be esketh family to be found here.found here.
Fire seems to have played an important Fire seems to have played an important role in the life of
role in the life of the town and one ancientthe town and one ancient custom still kept is
custom still kept is Teanlay NightTeanlay Night, which, which involv
involves the lighting of es the lighting of bonfires onbonfires on
Halloween. Each bonfire is encircled with Halloween. Each bonfire is encircled with white-coloured stones, which are then
white-coloured stones, which are then thrownthrown into the flames by the onlookers and left until into the flames by the onlookers and left until the next day
the next day. The . The successful retrieval of successful retrieval of one’one’ss own stone is considered a good omen for own stone is considered a good omen for future prosperity.
future prosperity.
Strolling around Poulton-le-Fylde now, it is Strolling around Poulton-le-Fylde now, it is hard to imagine that the town was once a hard to imagine that the town was once a seaport. But,
seaport. But, until relatively recentlyuntil relatively recently, ships, ships sailed up the River Wyre to
sailed up the River Wyre to Skippool Creek Skippool Creek .. Today, the creek is home to the Blackpool and Today, the creek is home to the Blackpool and
Fleetwood Yacht Club and from here the Fleetwood Yacht Club and from here the ocean-going yachts compete in major races ocean-going yachts compete in major races around Britain.
around Britain.
The town had a rail link long before The town had a rail link long before Blackpool and it was here that the early Blackpool and it was here that the early holidaymakers alighted from their trains to holidaymakers alighted from their trains to take a horse and trap the remaining few miles.
take a horse and trap the remaining few miles.
Fortunately for Poulton, in 1846, the
Fortunately for Poulton, in 1846, the railway railway reached Blackpool and the town could once reached Blackpool and the town could once again return to a more peaceful existence. It is again return to a more peaceful existence. It is this quiet and charm, as well as sensitive
this quiet and charm, as well as sensitive approaches to planning, that have led it to approaches to planning, that have led it to become, in recent years, a much sought become, in recent years, a much sought afterafter residential area for businessmen now able to residential area for businessmen now able to travel the M55 to Manchester and
travel the M55 to Manchester and Liverpool.Liverpool.
Incidentally, Poulton’s ‘le-Fylde’ tag was Incidentally, Poulton’s ‘le-Fylde’ tag was added to distinguish the town from added to distinguish the town from
Poulton-le-Sands – nowadays better known as le-Sands – nowadays better known as Morecambe.
Morecambe.
THORNTON THORNTON
5 miles
5 miles NE of NE of Blackpool Blackpool on the Bon the B5268 5268
A
A Marsh MillMarsh Mill EE Wyre Estuary Country ParkWyre Estuary Country Park E
E Wyreside Ecology CentreWyreside Ecology Centre
Situated on the west bank of
Situated on the west bank of the Wyre estuarythe Wyre estuary,, this small town is dominated by
this small town is dominated by Marsh MillMarsh Mill,, which stands over 100 feet high and was which stands over 100 feet high and was
constructed in 179
constructed in 1794. The grinding of 4. The grinding of corncorn ceased here soon after World War One but the ceased here soon after World War One but the building has been restored and it is now a building has been restored and it is now a tourist attraction.
tourist attraction.
At this point the Wyre estuary is wide and At this point the Wyre estuary is wide and provides shelter for shipping, an advantage provides shelter for shipping, an advantage that was utilised by both the Romans and the that was utilised by both the Romans and the
Marsh Mill, Thornton Marsh Mill, Thornton
G G u u i i d d e e t t o o R R u u r r a a l l E E n n g g l l a a n n d d L L A A N N C C A A S S H H I I R R E E Scandinavians. They both took advantage of
Scandinavians. They both took advantage of the salt deposits here and, today, the large the salt deposits here and, today, the large ICI plant is still extracting salt. The
ICI plant is still extracting salt. TheWyreWyre Estuary Country Park
Estuary Country Park , taking in the whole, taking in the whole estuary from Fleetwood up river as far as estuary from Fleetwood up river as far as Shard Bridge, is an excellent place from Shard Bridge, is an excellent place from which to discover the area. An initial
which to discover the area. An initial stop atstop at the
the Wyreside Ecology CentreWyreside Ecology Centre,, which which
provides all manner of information about the provides all manner of information about the estuary
estuary, is a , is a sensible starting point. sensible starting point. From hereFrom here a numbe
a number of r of footpfootpaths takaths take in many of e in many of thethe places along the river, as well as leading places along the river, as well as leading visitors through
visitors through important areas of important areas of saltsalt
visitors through important areas of important areas of saltsalt