Blackpool has been a popular resort in the north-west of England for many years. Even though habits may have changed over the years, it's still a popular place to visit in the summer months, with one survey from Trivago (article taken from the Guardian) suggesting that it's more popular than Benidorm. There's a lot to do in Blackpool, from climbing Blackpool Tower to experiencing the Illuminations, from an animal-based day out at Blackpool Zoo to taking in the rides and attractions at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

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Getting to Blackpool by train is relatively simple. There are several trains each hour to both Blackpool North and Blackpool South, with a few direct services each day from London Euston. Changing at somewhere like Preston would perhaps be a more common option. If you're coming from further afield, then the airports at Liverpool and Manchester are the closest, with Manchester Airport having direct trains to Blackpool. Additionally, booking cheap train tickets can make your journey to Blackpool even more budget-friendly.

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Getting around Blackpool

• Walk. Blackpool's coastline is great to walk along, particularly during the Illuminations season. In addition to this, Blackpool is relatively flat, which can me it even more accessible. Walking is of couse free, and is a great option if you have a more restricted budget or don't mind getting a bit of exercise in on your break. For some suggestions on routes to take, the websites HERE and HERE can be a good starting point.
• Bus. There are a number of bus routes in Blackpool connecting it to the surrounding areas. Services are provided by a number of different companies, with further information about public transport in Blackpool in general being found HERE, and details of the specific routes being found HERE.
• Tram. Arguably one of the most iconic things about Blackpool is its tram service. Opening in 1885, it is the only first-generation tram network remaining in the UK. It currently runs from Starr Gate in the south all the way up the Fylde coast to Fleetwood in the north, and an extension to Blackpool North station is due to open soon to give added connectivity to the network. Further information about the Blackpool Tramway can be found HERE, with additional information on heritage tram tours being found HERE.
• Taxi. Taxis can be a convenient way of getting around a place if you have mobility issues or have a fair amount of luggage. One of the things worth bearing in mind with taxis is that the costs can add up if you take a number of taxi journeys.

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So, what is there to do in Blackpool? Well, read on and find out.

Sport

With a focus on tourism, you'd perhaps be forgiven for thinking that sport isn't high on Blackpool's agenda. This isn't the case. Of particular note is Blackpool Football Club, who play their home games at Bloomfield Road (nearest Tramway stop is St Chad's Road). The club has had a very interesting history, with its most famous player arguably being Sir Stanley Matthews, who played for the club between 1947 and 1961. The 2010-11 season saw them play in the top flight of English football for the first time in roughly 40 years. For fans of golf, there is the famous Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (nearest station is Ansdell & Fairhaven), which has played host to the famous Open Championship a total of eleven times - the most recent occasion being in 2012. There are often boxing events which take place throughout the year, with the most common venues being the Blackpool Tower Circus Arena and the Winter Gardens. Other sports with a presence in the city include wrestling, cricket, and rugby (both union and league).

Image Credit: Jonathan Balsdon | Flickr

Are you a Sports Fan? Trainsplit has partnered with Pledgeball, a grassroots charity that rallies fellow fans to take action to protect where we play, making changes that improve our air and our green spaces. It can be as simple as swapping to reusable water bottles or taking the train to a match instead of driving. Fans, players, clubs, grassroots teams – the impact we can have together is game-changing.

Tourism

Arguably the biggest draw to Blackpool is its sheer number of tourist attractions. One of the most iconic is Blackpool Pleasure Beach towards the southern end of the town (nearest station is Blackpool Pleasure Beach to the south-east, and nearest Tramway stop is Pleasure Beach to the north-west), with its large collection of rollercoasters and other attractions, some of which are over a hundred years old.

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There are also the three piers - North Pier (nearest Tramway stop is North Pier), Central Pier (nearest Tramway stop is Central Pier), and South Pier (nearest Tramway stop is South Pier), with things to do on each pier for all the family. Further information on the piers can be found HERE. For stunning views of Blackpool and the local area, the famous 158m-tall Grade I-listed Blackpool Tower is well worth a visit, with additional information being located HERE. Also located in the Tower is the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, which played host to the finals of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in December 2004 and December 2011. Slightly further out from the town centre is Blackpool Zoo (nearest station is Blackpool North), which opened in 1972 and is home to a wide variety of animals of all shapes and sizes, including meerkats, Asian elephants, capybaras, and Magellanic penguins. From the end of August until January of the following year, you can visit Blackpool for its Illuminations, stretching along the Promenade from Starr Gate in the south to Bispham in the north. To experience the Illuminations in a different way, there are often some heritage trams laid on, some of which are illuminated themselves to help add to the experience. Additional information on the world-famous Illuminations can be found HERE.

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There are so many more attractions, with the focus perhaps understandably being on the Promenade itself, and you can find further information on these HERE, with some additional deals on tickets which we hope will help to persuade you even further.

Culture

For theatres in Blackpool, arguably the most iconic is the Opera House, which forms part of the Winter Gardens complex (nearest Tramway stop is Tower). The current theatre was built in 1939, is Grade II*-listed, and hosts a huge variety of shows in its calendar. There's also the Grand Theatre on Church Street (nearest Tramway stop is North Pier), which first opened in 1894, and reopened in 1981 following a refurbishment. Blackpool has been known for years as a key venue in the world of ballroom dancing, with the most iconic venues for this being the Tower Ballroom and the Empress Ballroom, the latter of which is part of the Winter Gardens Complex.

Image Credit: Jonathan Balsdon | Flickr

The history of music in Blackpool is well worth looking into as well, with Reginald Dixon famously being the organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for 40 years until March 1970. A huge number of acts have performed in the city over the years, including Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, Queen, Buzzcocks, and many more. For fans of art, the Grundy Art Gallery on Queen Street (nearest Tramway stop is North Pier) is worth visiting, with a variety of exhibits available to view.

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Special Offers in Blackpool

Explore Blackpool on a budget with our cheap train tickets, complemented by a range of exclusive special offers. Dive into the town's renowned attractions like the Blackpool Tower and Madame Tussauds, all made more accessible with our exclusive discounts. Families can also benefit from our exclusive discounts on family-friendly activities and attractions. For a budget-friendly getaway, explore our North West Special Offers page here. Plan your trip now and make the most of your visit without compromising on savings.

Explore Special Offers in Blackpool: North West Special Offers

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Dining recommendations

When going on a break somewhere, finding places to eat is likely to be high on the agenda. There's a lot of variety in Blackpool to satisfy the numbers of people who visit, and we've chosen just a few of these to demonstrate what's on offer.

Cheap eats

Yorkshire Fisheries
Address: 14-18 Topping Street, Blackpool FY1 3AQ
Given that Blackpool is a seaside location, it'd surely be a mistake to not consider a popular seaside meal of fish & chips. Found on Topping Street a short walk from Blackpool North station, Yorkshire Fisheries offers both dine-in and takeaway options, with the latter being ideal if the weather's nice and you fancy eating your meal al fresco. The menu includes classic options you'd find in many fish & chip restaurants across the country, including fish (of course), roast chicken, pies, sausages, and burgers, with plenty of additional side dishes to choose from.

Common Bar & Kitchen
Address: 12 Edward Street, Blackpool FY1 1BA
If you enjoy food from central and southern America, then why not visit Common Bar & Kitchen on Edward Street? The main focus here is on street food, and it should also be noted that a number of the dishes can be made gluten-free on request. Tacos here are made with pico de gallo and homemade pickled red onion - fillings include barbacoa pork with chipotle mayo drizzle, shredded chicken tinga with maple chipotle drizzle, and BBQ jackfruit. The burritos are filled with seasoned rice, black beans, cheese (dairy or vegan), pico de gallo, guacamole, and salsa, with the additional fillings including BBQ jackfruit, shredded chicken tinga, and barbacoa beef. Other options include the chili non carne (Beyond Meat mince, tomato, and spices, served with garlic & lime rice), the Cubano Sandwich (crispy pork belly slice, pork carnitas, Emmental cheese, pickles, mustard, sourdough roll), and coconut curry (Brazilian-style coconut chicken curry with garlic, ginger, spices, tomatoes, coconut milk, garlic & lime rice - vegan alternative available). There are a few desserts available as well, including churros (with dulce de leche and a chocolate dip), salted caramel ice-cream with chocolate sauce, and a mango & chilli sorbet.

The Counting House
Address: 10 Talbot Square, Blackpool FY1 1NG
Conveniently located a short walk north of the Blackpool Tower, the Counting House is a pub with a great location to the northern end of the town. The pub itself is run by Greene King, which is perhaps ideal if you're looking for something a bit more familiar. To start the meal off, the available dishes include a kilogram of chicken wings in a choice of sauce, mozzarella sticks, and chips topped with chip shop-style curry sauce & a spicy herb garnish. For mains, there's a good variety on offer to suit multiple tastes, including Quorn™ katsu (Quorn™ buttermilk-style chicken fillets, chip shop curry sauce, rice, oven-baked chips, spicy herb garnish), gammon and eggs (two 4oz gammon steaks, free-range fried eggs, chips, half a grilled tomato, baked beans, white or brown toasted bloomer bread, butter), and a chip shop platter (hand-battered fish, Whitby scampi, battered sausage, chips, chip shop curry sauce, peas/mushy peas). Options for dessert include a vegan apple pie slice, a chocolate fudge cake (served warm with chocolate sauce and either vanilla or chocolate flavour ice-cream), and salted caramel ice cream cake (cookie dough base, salted caramel ice-cream, milk chocolate ganache, cinnamon biscuit crumbs, chocolate sauce).

Mid-range

Twisted Indian Street Food
Address: 15a Clifton Street, Blackpool FY1 1JD
The street food scene in the UK has grown massively over the past few years, so why not mix that with one of the country's most popular cuisines - Indian? Found on Clifton Street just off the Promenade and a short walk from the Winter Gardens complex, Twisted is one of the most popular Indian restaurants in Blackpool, with a wide variety of dishes on offer. The starters include a variety of samosas (chicken & cheese, lamb, veg), pakoras (fried onion & potato with homemade spices), and lamb seekh rolls (marinated hand-rolled skewerd lamb seekh kebabs, chapatti, fried chilli onions, two homemade chutneys). There are also mixed grill platters aimed at groups of diners, with a variety of cuts of lamb & chicken served on a bed of onions with mint chutney and chapattis. The main courses include chicken keema (home-cooked desi-style minced chicken breast), lamb curry (home-cooked lamb curry on the bone with a spicy homemade sauce), and spinach & potato curry. There are also a few biryani dishes, including the king prawn biryani, and some slightly different dishes such as the Twisted Spicy Lamb Burger (brioche bun, green chutney, red onion, fried egg, homemade chilli chips). If you'd like Twisted's version of your favourite Indian dishes, then just ask the staff. For dessert, the focus is on brownies, with particular note being paid to the Twisted Chilli Brownie.

Stefani's Pizzeria
Address: 3 Cedar Square, Blackpool FY1 1BP
If you want Italian food, then look no further than Stefani's Pizzeria. Found in close proximity to the Winter Gardens complex, it's an ideal location if you're attending an event there. The available starters include wood-fired chicken wings with a variety of sauces, halloumi wrapped in prosciutto, and dough sticks & garlic butter - the menu notes that the latter of these is ideal for sharing. There are also a variety of topped garlic breads available to choose from if that takes your fancy. The star of the show at Stefani's is pizza, and they have a lot of different ones to choose from - these include the Neapolitan Margherita (San Marzano tomato base, fresh mozzarella, basil, extra-virgin olive oil), the Carne Italiana (San Marzano tomato base, mozzarella, Napoli salami, 'nduja, pepperoni, prosciutto), and the Tutta La Verdure (San Marzano tomato base, vegan cheese, olives, mushrooms, peppers, onions, rocket, olive oil). There are also some house speciality pizzas, with the particular highlight being 'The Don' (San Marzano tomato base, mozzarella, pepperoni, homemade sausagemeat, red onion, basil, parmesan). To end the meal on a sweet tooth, there are a variety of cannoli to choose from (vanilla, hazelnut, lemon, pistachio), homemade cheesecake, and also affogato (vanilla ice-cream with a shot of espresso).

Hungarian's
Address: 57 Topping Street, Blackpool FY1 3AF
If you want to try a slightly different European cuisine, then why not go for Hungarian? The aptly-named Hungarian's on Topping Street is one such example of this, and happens to be one of the top-rated restaurants in Blackpool on TripAdvisor. There are plenty of starters available on the menu, including goulash soup (traditional Hungarian soup made from diced beef fillet, potatoes, vegetables, spices, homemade egg dumplings, bread, hot paprika cream on the side - vegetarian and vegan versions are available), a salami cold plate (authentic Hungarian sausages and salamis, Hungarian cured ham, butter, vegetables, toasted bread), and a homemade fish croquette (salmon and catfish, wrapped in beaten egg & breadcrumb, served with homemade garlic mayo). The main courses include chicken schnitzel (deep-fried breadcrumbed chicken breast, fries, homemade tartare sauce, salad garnish), stuffed cabbage rolls (prime mixed pork with rice and spices, wrapped in sauerkraut leaves, served with sour cream and crispy bacon), and lecho (a homemade vegetable stew made with peppers, tomatoes, and onions, served with rice). There are also desserts on offer, including a banana split, a layer coconut yogurt, and a Hungarian cheese plate.

Fine dining

Novello
Address: 9 Clifton Street, Lytham St Anne's FY8 5EP
Novello is found in neighbouring Lytham St Anne's (nearest station is Lytham), and is within easy reach of Blackpool for anyone who wants a fine dining experience on their break away to Blackpool. The family-run restaurant focuses on Italian cuisine, with seasonal produce being very important to them. From the à la carte menu, the starters include braised lamb ravioli (with butter sauce & Parmesan foam), roasted scallops (with cauliflower, smoked pancetta, and lemon), and beetroot canneloni (with goats cheese, pickled onions, micro herbs). The main courses include fillet of beef (with braised ox cheek, basil emulsion, and celeriac), pan-roasted cod (with king prawn & courgette canneloni and lemon), and halibut (with buttered leeks, asparagus, and wild mushroom champagne sauce). There's also a separate pasta menu, with options here including tagliolini scallops (with garlic, chilli, and lemon butter), fettuccine with venison ragù, and tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, truffle oil, and parmesan. In order to heighten your experience here, why not choose a bottle from the extensive wine list? The focus here is of course on Italian wine, with a number of bottles selected from other countries across the globe.

Twelve
Address: Marsh Mill Village, Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 4JZ
North of Blackpool in nearby Thornton Cleveleys is Twelve (nearest Tramway stops are Anchorsholme Lane and West Drive). Found in the Michelin Guide, Twelve focuses on seasonal and British dishes, and its setting is somewhat unique - it's adjacent to an 18th century windmill, and the décor has an edgy feel to it, which is great if you want to mix fine dining with a different aesthetic to one that may be expected. The starters include Lancashire cheese and leek croquettes (with shallot marmalade and roast garlic mayo), salmon gravlax (with horseradish crème fraîche and squid ink cracker), and Scottish scallops (with black pudding, cauliflower, and raisin jam). For the main courses, these can include salt-aged duck breast (with duck leg sausage and confit beetroot), braised Forest of Bowland beef blade (with mash and shallot & pancetta sauce), and wild mushroom ravioli (with cep velouté and truffle oil). For dessert, why not consider the coconut panna cotta (with pineapple, pickled fennel, and granola), the apple crumble tart (with catalana custard and toasted rice ice-cream), or the Lancashire cheese slate?

One of the other things that Blackpool is well-known for is its annual air show. The Blackpool Air Show usually takes place over two days in August, and features a wide variety of military & civilian aircraft - in 2023, the aircraft included aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Eurofighter Typhoon from the RAF, and the Red Devils Parachute Display Team. Additional information on the Blackpool Air Show can be found HERE.

Image Credit: Dan Turner | Unsplash

For retail therapy, the most well-known place is perhaps the Houndshill Shopping Centre, sited between the Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens complex. Houndshill has a wide variety of shops to suit all kinds of different desires. If you want something a bit different, though, then why not consider The Regent? Found on Church Street in a 1920s cinema, you can find all sorts of stuff here, including antiques, crafts, vintage clothing, retro items, and many more.

Overnighting in Blackpool

Maximise your Blackpool experience by extending your stay in this seaside town. Whether you're drawn to its tourist attractions, its cultural sites, or want to use it as a base for exploring more of the Fylde coast, Blackpool provides diverse accommodation options for every preference and budget. Uncover the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate for another day of exploration.

Ready to book your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break. 

We very much hope that we have managed to convince you to book a city break to Blackpool. If we have, then fantastic! Our website is on hand to help you book the best-value train tickets for your journey. If you have any questions about your booking, then please get in touch with our customer service team, who will be more than happy to assist you.

Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at Trainsplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive booking guide here at Trainsplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful, and we’ve covered some of the main points below. 

How to book Cheap Train Tickets to Blackpool

Book Your Train Tickets Early

For the best deals on Cheap Train Tickets, don't delay until the day of departure. Instead, book an Advance Ticket up to 12 weeks ahead when released by the Train Operating Companies. Advance Tickets for trains to Blackpool, offering lower prices, often sell out fast. We recommend booking your journey in advance, as early as possible, to secure the most affordable fares. Even if you need to book last minute, you can sometimes still purchase Advance Fares up to an hour before departure.

Use a Railcard

Pairing your journey with a railcard can slash up to a third off the ticket price, offering significant savings on cheap train tickets. If you're a regular train traveller, investing in a railcard will swiftly offset its cost through discounted fares.

Split Your Tickets

With Trainsplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, Trainsplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.

Avoid Peak Times

Opting for off-peak travel not only saves money on higher-priced train tickets but also offers a more tranquil journey experience. Off-peak hours typically commence around 09:30, making them an ideal choice for budget-conscious travellers heading to Blackpool. Additionally, considering splitting your tickets during off-peak hours can further enhance your savings on cheap train tickets for your journey.

Travelling with More than 2 People

Explore Groupsave train tickets for discounted fares when travelling with a group of three or more people. It's a great way to get your hands on cheap train tickets and make your journey more affordable. And remember, you can also consider splitting your tickets with Trainsplit to save even more on your train tickets. 

Consider an Alternative Route

If you're travelling from London, then some alternative routes which may save money could involve travelling via Birmingham or Manchester Using Trainsplit’s journey planner, you can search for cheaper routes to Blackpool, potentially saving you money on your train tickets.

Avoid Booking Fees

Many ticket retailers impose booking fees for each journey booked, adding unnecessary expenses to your travel costs. With Trainsplit, we don't charge a booking fee. Instead, we only charge a Share of Savings, which is a small percentage of the savings you made if we found a split for your journey. Rest assured, it will still work out cheaper than purchasing a through fare. If no splits are found, no Share of Savings will be charged.

Claim Delay Repay

In the event of a delay, you may be entitled to compensation under the Delay Repay scheme. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the compensation policy of the operator you're travelling with and submit a claim for any eligible delays.

By following these tips, along with using Trainsplit’s unique journey planner to find the best train ticket deals, now is the perfect time to explore new destinations.

Popular Train Journeys in the UK

• Trains to Aberdeen
• Trains to Aberystwyth
• Trains to Bath
• Trains to Birmingham
• Trains to Blackpool
• Trains to Brighton
• Trains to Bristol
• Trains to Cardiff 
• Trains to Cheltenham
• Trains to Cornwall
• Trains to Durham
• Trains to Edinburgh
• Trains to Exeter
• Trains to Glasgow
• Trains to the Lake District
• Trains to Leeds
• Trains to Leicester
• Trains to Liverpool
• Trains to Manchester
• Trains to Newcastle
  
• Trains to Nottingham
  
• Trains to Oxford
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• Trains to Sheffield
• Trains to York

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Cheap Train Tickets to Blackpool?

You can find the cheapest train tickets to Blackpool by booking in advance and considering split ticket options. Websites like Trainsplit offer tools to help you find the best deals.

What's the most cost-effective way to travel to Blackpool?

The most economical way to travel to Blackpool is by booking cheap Advance Tickets  and exploring split ticketing options, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.

When should I book my train tickets to Blackpool for the best prices?

To secure the cheapest train tickets to Blackpool, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.

Can I save money by splitting my train tickets when travelling to Blackpool?

Yes, splitting your train tickets to Blackpool can often result in significant cost savings compared to purchasing a single through ticket. Services like Trainsplit can help you find the most advantageous split ticket combinations.

Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers to Blackpool?

Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to Blackpool and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get the cheapest possible fares for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to Blackpool and beyond.

Is it cheaper to book train tickets to Blackpool online or at the station?

When looking to secure cheap train tickets to Blackpool, booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like Trainsplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses. 

Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

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