Bispham, Blackpool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bispham |
|
|---|---|
 All Hallows Church |
|
 Bispham
|
|
| Population | 20,001 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SD309399 |
| Unitary authority |
|
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BLACKPOOL |
| Postcode district | FY2 |
| Dialling code | 01253 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Bispham is a village located on the Fylde coast in Lancashire, England. It's part of the larger area known as Blackpool. Bispham is known for its cliffs, beautiful views, and as the northern end of the famous Blackpool Illuminations.
Contents
Exploring Bispham: Location and Local Government
Bispham is a village that is now part of the town of Blackpool. To the south, you'll find areas like Warbreck and North Shore. To the east is Carleton, and to the north are Norbreck and Thornton Cleveleys. On its western side, Bispham meets the Irish Sea. Most of Bispham is an urban area, meaning it's built up with homes and businesses.
Bispham is part of the Blackpool North and Cleveleys area for national government. Locally, Bispham has three special areas called electoral wards: Bispham, Greenlands, and Ingthorpe. These wards help manage local services.
Who Lives in Bispham?
In 2011, about 20,001 people lived in Bispham. This number includes people of all ages, from children to older adults.
Here's how the population was split across its local wards in 2011:
| Ward | Population |
|---|---|
| Bispham | 6,375 |
| Greenlands | 6,865 |
| Ingthorpe | 6,761 |
Bispham's Past: A Look Back in Time
Bispham has a very long history, much older than Blackpool itself!
Early Life in the Area
About 12,000 years ago, people were already living on the Fylde coast. We know this because an animal skeleton with old arrowheads was found nearby in 1970. Later, a British tribe called the Setantii lived here. The Romans also controlled this area from about AD 80. Back then, the land was covered in oak forests and bogs.
From Village to Part of Blackpool
Bispham was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. It was called Biscopham, which means "Bishop's estate" or "Bishop's house." Many places on the Fylde coast were settled by Anglo-Saxons. Some names also came from Vikings who arrived in the 9th and 10th centuries. For example, Bispham-with-Norbreck combines an Anglo-Saxon name (ham) with a Viking name (breck).
Interestingly, the very first mention of "Blackpool" was found in the records of Bispham Parish Church in 1602. It was about a child born to a couple who lived "on the bank of the Black Pool."
For a long time, the Fylde coast was divided into three main church areas: Bispham, Poulton-le-Fylde, and Lytham. Bispham's old parish included two townships: Bispham with Norbreck, and Layton with Warbreck. The area that would become Blackpool was part of Layton with Warbreck.
In 1918, Bispham with Norbreck officially became part of Blackpool. Even though the village centre was redesigned in the 1960s, you can still find a few very old houses there. Most of the homes today were built between the 1930s and 1950s.
Bispham Today: What's Here?
Bispham is mostly a place where people live, but it also has two main shopping areas.
Shopping and Services
The main road, Red Bank Road, has many shops and restaurants. You can find a supermarket and various local businesses here. Another shopping area, known as "the village," is behind the Bispham Police Station. This area has shops around a large outdoor car park and is where the few remaining original cottages are located. Smaller shopping spots can also be found on Ashfield Road, Moor Park Avenue, and Bispham Road.
Places of Worship
Bispham has several churches. There are two Church of England churches: Bispham Parish Church (All Hallows Road) and Greenlands St. Anne church. There's also a Catholic church, St. Bernadette's. Other churches include The Gate Community Church and Bispham United Reformed Church. Bispham Parish Church is very old and has an original Norman doorway. There's also a Buddhist centre on Holmfield Road.
Schools in Bispham
Bispham has several schools for different age groups:
- Primary Schools
* Bispham Endowed Church of England Primary School: This school has a long history, founded in 1659. * Kincraig Primary School: This school has been recognized as one of the most improved schools in England. * Langdale Independent Preparatory School * Moor Park Primary School * Saint Bernadette's Catholic Primary School * Westcliff Primary School
- Secondary Schools
* Montgomery Academy
- Colleges
* Blackpool and The Fylde College: A large campus of this college is located in Bispham.
Fun Things to See and Do
Bispham has some interesting places to visit. You can see the highest cliffs on the Fylde Coast here. There are also hotels and guest houses, especially near the sea.
- Nature and Parks
* Kincraig Lake Ecological Reserve: This reserve on Kincraig Road has a lake and many wild birds. * Bispham Rock Gardens: Located on Knowle Hill, these gardens offer great views of the countryside. * North Blackpool Pond Trail: This trail includes 23 ponds, a reed bed, and an orchard. It's a great place to explore nature. * Moor Park: This park has a children's playground and a swimming pool. * Cavendish Road Recreation Ground: Here you'll find tennis courts, football areas, and a bowling green.
- Other Amenities
* Bispham library: Opened in 1938, it's a place to find books and information. * Bispham Hospital: A special unit for elderly patients. * Trinity – the hospice in the Fylde: A care service for adults and children. * Pubs and Wine Bars: Places like The Highlands, The Albion, and Xanders offer food and drinks.
- Admiral Point
* This luxury housing development used to be The Miners Convalescent Home. It's a beautiful old building that was redeveloped into modern apartments.
- Bispham Technology Park
* This is a growing area for businesses and offices. It was once home to the sports car manufacturer TVR. There are plans for more businesses to move here, including a new Kincraig Business Park.
- Bispham and Norbreck Gala
* Each July, Bispham and Norbreck come together for a special event called the Gala. It includes a procession and takes place at the Bispham Gala fields, which have football pitches and a community centre.
Blackpool Illuminations: A Dazzling Display
Red Bank Road in Bispham marks the northern end of the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations. This part of the display is known for its large, detailed tableaux. These are big, artistic displays, some of which even have sound and moving parts! There's a special walkway so visitors can get a close look at them. The Illuminations stretch for miles along the coast, with over a million lights.
Blackpool Tramway: Riding the Rails
The Blackpool tramway runs right along the seafront in Bispham. Bispham used to have its own tram depot on Red Bank Road, which could hold many trams. This depot closed in 1966 and was later replaced by a supermarket. A special stone from the old depot is now at the National Tramway Museum in Crich.
Famous Faces from Bispham
Several well-known people have connections to Bispham:
- Kelsey-Beth Crossley and Hayley Tamaddon, actresses from the TV show Emmerdale, went to school in Bispham.
- Violet Carson, an actress from Coronation Street, lived in Bispham until she passed away in 1983.
- Ricky Tomlinson, an actor from The Royle Family, was born in Bispham.
- Footballers like George Berry and Jonathan Macken have lived here.
- Stacey McClean, a singer from the group S Club 8, is from Bispham.
Sports in Bispham
Bispham offers several sports facilities:
- North Shore Golf Club is partly located in Bispham.
- Tee Time Golf Centre has a driving range and a nine-hole golf course.
- Blackpool Rugby Union Football Club is based in Bispham.
- Bispham Junior Football Federation (BJFF) and Blackpool Rangers play at Bispham Gala Fields.
