Things to do on Fylde’s doorstep
Blackpool is the biggest holiday resort in the UK and being just up the road from Fylde, there’s plenty to do right on our doorstep here in Lancashire. You’ll find a wide range of theatres, visitor attractions, parks and open spaces, the Golden Mile and illuminations (Autumn), as well as a wealth of history and cultural experiences. Close by too, you’ll find plenty to do in Preston, Fleetwood, Lancaster and more.
Opposite the comedy carpet, Blackpool Tower was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Blackpool Tower is 518 feet tall and houses the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom as seen on Strictly Come Dancing, The Tower Circus featuring Mooky the Clown and Mr Boo, the terrifying Tower Dungeon and of course the glass floored observation level at 380 feet offering fantastic views out over the Irish Sea and the Fylde coastline.
Promenade, Blackpool FY1 4BJ
01253 622242
Founded in 1896, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the world’s most ride intensive park. Home of the Pepsi Max Big One rollercoaster, the Grand National, Big Dipper, Avalanche, Steeplechase, Valhalla and the ICON rollercoaster. Plus new for 2026 – AVIKTAS! Pleasure Beach Resort has plenty of places to eat and popular shows and is a firm family favourite. Book online and save via the Pleasure Beach website.
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ
0871 222 1234
Blackpool Zoo is a thirty two acre zoo, located adjacent to Stanley Park on the edge of Blackpool. Home to sea lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, penguins, lemurs, red pandas and so much more, Blackpool Zoo is a fantastic day out and popular with school groups too. Large car park and catering outlets on site too. Daily feeding sessions of the animals and talks by the keepers.
East Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 8PP
01253 830830
Blackpool’s latest entertainment centre is now open and ready to welcome you. More than movies, more than snacks and merchandise, Arc Blackpool is where the magic happens – just like a Hollywood film set. With the sharpest visuals and immersive heart-pounding audio, Arc Blackpool’s super-sized IMAX screen will be a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
Houndshill Shopping Centre, Blackpool, FY1 4EN
One of Europe’s biggest entertainment complexes. Opened in 1878 The Blackpool Opera House is one of the UK’s largest theatres and continues to attract the biggest touring shows and events from across the globe. The adjoining internationally revered Empress Ballroom is home of the Blackpool Dance Festival, PDC World Matchplay darts, iconic gigs and many more illustrious events. (Miss Saigon image – Danny Kaan)
97 Church St, Blackpool FY1 1HL
01253 625252
Affinity Lancashire (formerly Freeport) is a shopping and leisure outlet with an impressive array of high street names at outlet prices. Popular with groups and coach parties, you’ll find a bargain in the many stores, or stop off for a bite to eat in one of the many food outlets. Affinity Lancashire has a year round events programme for all the family. Located off the A585. Ample free parking.
Anchorage Rd, Fleetwood FY7 6AE
01253 877377
Blackpool’s all-singing, all-dancing museum for the whole family. Celebrating Blackpool’s role as the greatest seaside resort and show town in the UK. The rooms are full of exhibits that get right to the heart of what’s wonderful about Blackpool. Circus, shows, magic, Illuminations, dance and all the joy of being beside the seaside. (Image credit – Casson Mann and Showtown Blackpool ©Hufton+Crow)
Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 4TQ
01253 478624
First opened in 1840 and with over 200 stalls it’s one of the largest markets in the north west of England, It’s a shoppers paradise with a wide range of stalls – clothing, household goods, food, gifts and much more. There’s free parking for coaches and plenty of nearby street car parking. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
36 Adelaide Street, Fleetwood FY7 6AB
Constructed in 1939 for the RAF at the outbreak of WW2, the building was home to various RAF and Polish Squadrons, operating night fighter cover for Preston and Merseyside Docklands. The Spitfire Visitor Centre has been relatively untouched since 1945 and retains many original features. The sights, sounds and equipment of the era are brought back to life to give you a valuable insight to the realities the dark years of WW2. Check opening times via their website.
Hangar 42, The Old Fire Station Yard, Blackpool Airport, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2QY
07967 724588
The Grundy Art Gallery was founded in 1911 by the brothers John and Cuthbert Grundy, and has been at the centre of cultural and artistic life in Blackpool for over 100 years. The Grundy Art Gallery began with the ambition to show the best art of the day to the people of Blackpool, and this sentiment remains at the heart of what they do today as a leading contemporary art gallery with a regular changing programme of exhibitions.
Queen Street, Blackpool FY1 1PU
01253 478170
Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool is an all-weather indoor space where adults and kids can enjoy some healthy, action-packed fun! Twenty individual and multi climber wall challenges of varying design and difficulty, testing agility and courage in different ways! There are two special attractions – the infamous Vertical Drop Slide and the Stairway to Heaven!
9, Apollo Court, Whitehills Business Park, Hallam Way, Blackpool FY4 5FS
01253 769569
A one-of-a-kind magical indoor play adventure featuring six of Julia Donaldson’s and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s stories. Perfect for families with children under ten, who can run wild and immerse themselves in their favourite stories, The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse attraction provides young explorers and families with a magical day out. Just like little brown mouse, guests will brave the ‘deep dark wood’ and climb, crawl and slide their way to the life-sized Gruffalo
Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5AA
Designed by Victorian theatre architect Frank Matcham, this beautiful Grade II listed theatre opened in 1894 and is located in the hear of Blackpool town centre. The Grand Theatre is the National Theatre of Variety. There is an impressive year round schedule of comedy, music, plays and much more, including the annual pantomime featuring Steve Royle and an active Friends Group supporting the work and development theatre
33 Church St, Blackpool FY1 1HT
01253 290190
Opened in 1893, the Harris Museum is a grade one imposing building in the heart of Preston, has collections of fine art, decorative art, coins and medals, photography, archaeology to name but a few, set across a number of floors (lift access available). There’s a constant changing exhibition programme and on the ground floor you will find the public lending library and a café open daily.
Market Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2PP
01772 258248
Showcasing the finest food and drink from across Lancashire, Holmes Mill consists of the Bowland Beer Hall with its 105 ft long servery with 42 hand pumps dispensing real ales and craft beers, premium lagers and artisan ciders, the Bowland Food Hall with a continental market cafe vibe, a distillery bar and grill, hotel and much more in the heart of the Ribble Valley.
Holmes Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe, Preston, Lancashire, BB7 1EB
01200 407130
The UK’s largest indoor water park! A hugely popular multi award winning indoor waterpark in an 84-degree tropical climate located at South Beach in Blackpool. The Sandcastle has over eighteen slides and attractions including water slides, fun pools, wave machine, water chutes, snack bars, arcades, swim shop and so much more! Excellent accessible facilities and highly trained lifeguards on duty at all times.
South Beach, Blackpool FY4 1BB
01253 343602
Joe Longthorne MBE has a legendary connection with North Pier, Blackpool and there is a museum to honour the late entertainer offering his countless fans from all over the world the opportunity to visit and re live the memories of this classic loved entertainer. Open daily 12 noon to 5pm and is located adjacent to the theatre
North Pier Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1NE
01253 623304
The Sea Life Blackpool is home to over 2,000 marine animals, come face to fin with sharks or get hands on in one of the many exhibits. Regular talks from staff and feeding times, the venue located on the Golden Mile is popular for birthday parties and schools and group visits. There is a regularly changing programme and you can even snorkel with sharks! The Sea Life Blackpool is fully wheelchair accessible.
Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5AA
01253 621258
Madame Tussauds is located on the Golden Mile in Blackpool. Get up close and personal with your favourite celebrities from the world of music, sport, TV and comedy, including Ant and Dec, Ed Sheeran, Bear Grills, Harry Styles, Olly Murs, Professor Brian Cox, Strictly Come Dancing and so many more. Relax for a pint in the Rovers Return with Ken and Deidre. A world class attraction with something new never far away!
87-89 Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5AA
0843 902 9575
Located at the entrance to the Pleasure Beach, it is an interactive and realistic walk through horror experience with live actors. The most famous characters from the horror genre come to life within the confides of The Pasaje Del Terror to produce a unique, terrifying venture where YOU become …. THE VICTIM!
525 Ocean Boulevard, Casino Building, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool FY4 1EZ
01253 406618
The 104 acre Stanley Park on the edge of Blackpool is an oasis of calm and has a boating lake, ornamental gardens, playground, sports facilities and pitches, bowling greens, bandstand with a summer Sunday schedule of live entertainment and a popular art deco café. There’s on site free parking.
West Park Drive, Blackpool FY3 9HU
07554 4387700
Viva Blackpool is the Vegas Venue in the heart of Blackpool located right on the Promenade adjacent to Blackpool Tower. Fantastic live entertainment venue with cabaret seating and eclectic programme, plus pre-show dining. There’s the Viva Vegas Cabaret Show featuring Leye D Johns who is your host for a full evening of spectacular entertainment. Regular visiting star names too and Viva Blackpool is also an event and wedding venue with an experienced team to assist with your enquiry.
3 Church St, Blackpool FY1 1HJ
01253 297297
Opened in 2005, the Ribble Steam railway is a one and a half mile line which crosses a swing bridge and passes by Preston Docks. There’s a museum with a chance for youngsters to get hands on with the displays, and you can visit the work sheds to see the restorations underway. There’s a busy events calendar with steam trains and diesels too including Santa Specials.
Chain Caul Road, Preston PR2 2PD
01772 728800
Learn about the coastal environment, bird life and plant life or just enjoy the view. Two observation decks for bird watching and taking in the views over the beach to the Irish Sea and across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland fells and the Forest of Bowland. Rossall Observation Tower is manned by Wyre Volunteer Rangers. Free to enter with free parking nearby.
Outer Promenade, The Esplanade, Fleetwood FY7 8PG
01253 891000
Unveiled in September 2021 and located in the town centre market area of Preston close to Orchard Street, come and sit down and say “Cheese” with the Wallace and Gromit sculpture, based on the characters created by Preston’s Oscar-winning animator Nick Park. The bench is based from the “Wrong Trousers”.
Preston Markets
01772 906900