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Blackpool Sands Beach by Lewis Clarke –

Top Ten Best Facts about Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands is a stony beach in Dartmouth, Devon, England. It is named after Blackpool the nearest village. It’s one of the most popular seaside tourist destinations with a pleasure beach, illuminations, glitzy ballroom dancing, and fish and chips on the seafront. In the article are the top ten best facts about Blackpool Sands.

1. It has over 30 listed buildings

Winter Gardens House by Repton1x –

The listed buildings are grouped into three grades. Grade one consists of outstanding buildings of historical interest, grade two consists of significant buildings of more than local interest, and lastly grade three buildings consists of buildings of special historical interest.

Blackpool Tower is an example of a grade one building, St John’s Church is a grade two building, and Winter Gardens building is a grade three building. The buildings listed are over 30.

2. Blackpool Sands steeplechase Roller coaster

Steeplechase Rollercoaster by Uri Baruchin –

The steeplechase is a custom design made by arrow dynamics. The ride was officially opened in 1977 by Grand National winner Red Rum. His hoof print was also taken and is on display near the exit of the ride. It is the last remaining park in the world that still operates the Steeplechase roller coaster.

3. Blackpool sands illuminations ceremony 1977

Blackpool Illuminations were founded in 1879 and switched on that year. Traditionally, the Blackpool illuminations are opened by a public figure such as a celebrity, but this was different in September 1977, when the famous racehorse, Red Rum,  who was also the three times National Grand title winner opened the Illuminations.

Every year there is a festival of light on the seaside resort of Blackpool, on the Fylde coast of Lancashire that features interactive installations for entertainment purposes.

4. It is the oldest amusement park in Europe

Blackpool Sands was founded in 1896 by John Outhwaite and A.W.G. Bean. It was originally built as a small entertainment venture on dunes along the promenade containing a few roundabouts, a bicycle railway, and Gypsy stalls.

Sir Hiram Maxim’s Captive Flying machine is the oldest amusement park in Europe having been opened in 1904. The machine is still running.  The park was the first in Europe to introduce a fully inverting steel coaster.

5. Blackpool Tower in Blackpool Sands

Illuminated Blackpool Tower by Steve Daniels  –   

The Tower was opened in May 1894 to the public as the tallest man-made structure in the entire British Empire inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Â鶹APP. It is the only Grade One listed building in Blackpool. It was built to open steel girders.

The 158-meter-high landmark is illuminated by 10,000 bulbs and takes 7 years to paint.  In 1994 the tower was painted in gold to celebrate its 100th year and in 1977 was painted in Silver to honor Queen Elizabeth II. The illuminations on Blackpool have been on display since 1897. 

6.  Blackpool Sands has a sandcastle water park

Sandcastle Waterpark by P L Chadwick –

It is an indoor waterpark that opened in 1986 with 18 slides and attractions. It is an 84-degree tropical climate. It has the world’s longest indoor roller coaster waterslide called the Master Blaster and the first vertical indoor drop slide sidewinder.

Its Family attractions include; the Shimmering shallows, Ushi Gushi action river, and the Typhoon Lagoon Wavepool. For children, there is a Caribbean Storm treehouse. In 2016 it celebrated its 30th birthday.

7. Blackpool Sands’ cabin lift

 It was designed by John Charles Robinson in the Classical Revival style and built in 1930. It became a grade 2 listed building on 8th March 2010. Its purpose was to transport passengers from the upper to lower promenade. Externally it looks much the same as in its prime days with a few modifications.

8. Blackpool Sands park parts

The Circus Casino by Raymond Knapman –

The park is divided into three sections; North shore, Central shore, and South shore. Each part has its distinct features. North shore is the quietest,  with fewer tourists, many business parks, and The Circus Casino.

Central shore mainly contains guest houses, main transport links, a large shopping area, numerous bars and nightclubs, and restaurants. Blackpool Tower is also found in the Central sore.

The South shore contains a huge residential area, Pleasure Beach, South Pier, and  Sandcastle water park. It is also the most beautiful part of Blackpool sands.

9. Blackpool sands War memorial is metaphorical

Blackpool Cenotaph by jolmartyn –

The monument is a white granite tall building named ashlar obelisk by the Greeks. It was built in 1923. On its north and south, it has bronze relief panels that show images of warfare.

These designs were by Gilbert Ledward in 1922. On the East and West sides are figures of soldiers, a sailor, and an airman. On the roof are the names of the fallen.

10. Battle of Blackpool Sands

Blackpool Sands is also a historical ground carrying over 30 listed historical buildings. Also apart from the buildings, it has a patriotic history of 1404 during the French raid on Blackpool.

The locals participated positively during the war and they managed to kill the French commander and take several prisoners. News of the victory was sent to London, and thanksgiving was held in Westminster Abbey with the King in attendance.

       Deductions can be made that Blackpool Sands is quite an outstanding oldest amusement park in the world, with some of its oldest machines running. It also has a conducive climate throughout the year and has no closing days. Blackpool Sands is a tourist destination with historical buildings, relaxing places, residential places with big hotels, and also partying places. Visit Blackpool Sands and experience the beautiful scenery in all three sections; the North shore, the Central shore, and the South shore