Five Free Things to Do in Blackpool

With many of us planning to spend our holidays in the UK due to the recession, traditional seaside towns are hoping to have a boost to their finances this year. Although a report in The Telegraph this week claimed that Britain is amongst Europe’s most expensive holiday destinations, there are still plenty of free attractions in most of Britain’s holiday hotspots.

Here are five free things to see and do in the ever-popular seaside town of Blackpool:

1. Visit the Grundy Art Gallery. Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery (Queen Street, Blackpool, FY1 1 PX) was established in the early 1900s, after artists John and Cuthbert Grundy bequeathed 33 works of art and a finanical gift to the town.

The gallery has a permanent collection which is displayed in the form of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, and includes Victorian and modern paintings, as well as ceramics, jewellery, ivories, photographs and prints. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of works by contemporary artists and works on loan from other galleries and museums.

The Grundy Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Admission to the gallery is free of charge.

2. Take a stroll in Stanley Park. First opened to the public in 1926, Blackpool’s Stanley Park covers more than 250 acres of land. The park has won a National Green Flag Award and also has Grade II status on the National Register of Parks and Historic Gardens.

Stanley Park’s landmarks include the Cocker Memorial Clock Tower, which was built in honour of Dr. William Cocker, Blackpool’s first mayor, and the Italian Garden, in the centre of the park, which features statues and a fountain.

Other attractions within Stanley Park include a boating lake, rose gardens, ornamental bridges, a children’s shuttle train, a  cafe in an Art Deco building and a wide range of sports facilities.

3. Visit the Solaris Centre. You can take a tour of the Solaris Centre (Harrowside,  New South Promenade, Blackpool) and learn more about the environment and the effects that climate change is having on the world. You can find out about eco-friendly energy solutions, recycling and many other aspects of sustainable living.

The centre is surrounded by four acres of gardens, which are currently being developed to include a sensory garden, and other eco-friendly environments. The Solaris Centre is open from 8.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at weekends. Admission to the centre is free and it’s a very child-friendly attraction.

4. Take a walk along the Promenade. Blackpool’s Promenade stretches for more than two miles and although not all of it is accessible, a coastal protection scheme which has been in progress for the last few years has resulted in much of it being rebuilt.

The Promenade is divided into three main sections. The North Shore stretches from Blackpool’s North Pier to village of Bispham, whilst the Central Promenade links the North Pier with the South Pier. The South Shore begins at the South Pier and ends at Starr Gate.

If you walk along the South Promenade, you’ll be able to see The Great Promenade Show, which consists of a series of  sculptures, including: “The Sound of the Wind Looks Like This” by Stephen Hurrell; “The Frankenstein Project” by Tony Stallard; “Water Wings” by Bruce Williams; “Glam Rocks” by Peter Freeman; “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” by Michael Trainor; “Desire” by Chris Knight; “Swivelling Wind Shelters” by Ian McChesney with Atelier One; “Life as a Circus” by Sir Peter Blake; and “High Tide Organ” by Liam Curtin and John Gooding.

“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” is particularly noteable as it holds the record for being the largest dance hall mirror ball in the world, whilst “High Tide Organ” is a working musical instrument as well as a sculpture, with the movement of the sea resulting in the production of musical notes during high tide.

5. Explore one of Blackpool’s Piers. A trip to Blackpool isn’t complete without a visit to one of its famous piers. Blackpool has three piers, the North Pier, the Central Pier and the South Pier, all of which are located along the famous “Golden Mile“. There is an admission charge of 50 pence to get onto the North Pier, but admission to the South Pier and Central Pier is free of charge.

The South Pier (originally known as Victoria Pier) opened in 1893 and is the newest of the town’s three piers. There are a number of attractions on the pier, including amusement arcades and a family-friendly bar, “The Laughing Donkey”. It’s also the location of the Adrenaline Zone, where you can scare yourself on a number of high-adrenaline rides (there is a charge for this).

The Central Pier also has an amusement arcade, as well as a fun fair, food outlets, a resident clarvoyant and other attractions.

Tags: Blackpool, Blackpool Central Pier, Blackpool North Pier, Blackpool Promenade, Blackpool South Pier, climate change, free attractions, Golden Mile, Grundy Art Gallery, Solaris Centre, Stanley Park