| Blackpool is a popular seaside resort which lies in | | | | Some of the most popular tourist attractions in |
| north-western England on the Fylde Coast of the | | | | Blackpool include Blackpool Zoo, home to over 1500 |
| county of Lancashire. The city was named after a | | | | animals from all over the world; Blackpool Pleasure |
| drainage channel which ran over a peat bog into the | | | | Beach, a theme park featuring the tallest rollercoaster |
| sea of Blackpool, the water forming a "black pool" in | | | | in Europe; Winter Gardens, an entertainment and |
| the waters of the Irish Sea. The town became an | | | | conference venue; Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, |
| independent unitary authority in 1998, and is the most | | | | featuring wax models of celebrities, musicians, sports |
| visited tourist destination in England after London. | | | | personalities and the famous Chamber of Horrors; |
| Blackpool now has a population of more than 153,500, | | | | and Tower World, a large complex of leisure facilities, |
| with several ethnic groups comprising of English, Irish, | | | | entertainment venues and restaurants. Tower World |
| Welsh, Ulster, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and | | | | includes the Blackpool Tower and Circus, supposed to |
| other. | | | | be Britain's best circus, featuring ballroom dancing and |
| Blackpool is linked by the M55 motorway to the | | | | an aquarium; and Tower Ballroom, an elaborately |
| national motorway network. Blackpool Airport is | | | | decorated dance hall and theatre famous for its |
| situated only 2½ miles (4 km) from the town | | | | Mighty Wurlitzer organ. |
| centre, serving regular charter and scheduled flights. | | | | There are plenty of places to stay in Blackpool from |
| Another smaller airport serves commercial flights | | | | the famous landladies through to plush hotels. |
| from the Isle of Man, Belfast and Dublin. The city has | | | | There are also various events and festivals in |
| 3 main train stations - North, South and Pleasure | | | | Blackpool such as Blackpool Dance Festival, annual |
| Beach. A still-surviving popular means of public | | | | ballroom dance competition which is world-famous; |
| transport in Blackpool is the tramway. By bus, the | | | | the Great Promenade Show, featuring a number of |
| area is served by two main bus companies -Arriva | | | | artwork along South Promenade, featuring the |
| North West Buses and Stagecoach, with frequent | | | | Blackpool High Tide Organ; Blackpool International Hair |
| buses on local routes. | | | | and Beauty Festival, a two day hairdressing |
| Reputed to be "Britain's undisputed capital of | | | | Championships; Totally Transport, hailed as one of |
| entertainment", Blackpool has a plethora of nightclubs, | | | | the North West's biggest classic transport festivals, |
| pubs, entertainment venues, and eateries that cater | | | | featuring classic buses, cars, coaches, commercial |
| for every taste and every budget in every area of | | | | vehicles, motorbikes and trams; Lions Blackpool |
| town. The city has more than 30 discos and night | | | | Carnival, a stunning carnival parade of over 1000 |
| clubs, one cinema complex, four theatres, and three | | | | people, floats, vehicles, bands and dancers; Blackpool |
| piers, mostly located in and around the town centre. | | | | 10km Promenade Fun Run, a 10km fun run along |
| Blackpool is also the 2nd biggest retail centre in | | | | Blackpool Promenade for professional and amateur |
| Lancashire, and Hounds Hill, the only covered shopping | | | | runners in aid of local charities; and Blackpool |
| centre is located in the middle of town next to the | | | | Illuminations/Festival of Light, presenting six miles of |
| Blackpool Tower. | | | | shimmering lights, lasers and LED technology. |