Blackpool Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackpool Tower |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Looking northeast
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Observation Tower, Radio Tower, Tourist Attraction |
| Location | Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Coordinates | 53°48′57″N 3°03′19″W / 53.81583°N 3.05528°W |
| Construction started | 1891 |
| Completed | 1894 |
| Opening | 14 May 1894 |
| Management | Blackpool Tourism Ltd |
| Height | |
| Roof | 518 ft 9 in (158.1 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Maxwell and Tuke |
| Structural engineer | Heenan & Froude |
| Designations | |
|
Listed Building – Grade I
|
|
| Official name: Tower Buildings | |
| Designated: | 10 October 1973 |
| Reference #: | 1205810 |
The Blackpool Tower is a famous landmark and fun place to visit in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It first opened its doors to the public on May 14, 1894. When it was built, the Blackpool Tower was the tallest man-made structure in the entire British Empire!
This amazing tower was inspired by the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. It stands 518 feet (158 metres) tall. The Blackpool Tower is also the name for a whole entertainment complex. This complex is a red-brick building with three floors. It includes the tower itself, the exciting Tower Circus, the beautiful Tower Ballroom, and lovely roof gardens. In 1973, the Tower Buildings were recognized as a Grade I listed building, meaning it's a very important historical structure.
Contents
History of Blackpool Tower
Building a Landmark: The Tower's Story
The idea for the Blackpool Tower began in 1890 when a company called The Blackpool Tower Company was formed. They bought an old aquarium with the dream of building a tower like the Eiffel Tower. John Bickerstaffe, who used to be the mayor of Blackpool, became the chairman of this new company.
Two talented architects from Lancashire, James Maxwell and Charles Tuke, designed the tower. They even oversaw the start of its construction on September 29, 1891. Sadly, both men passed away before the tower was finished. The company Heenan & Froude were the engineers who built the tower, its electric lights, and the steel parts for the aquariums. They used a new way of joining metal called hydraulic riveting.
Building the tower and its surrounding buildings cost about £290,000. Workers used five million Accrington bricks, 3,478 long tons (3,534 t) of steel, and 352 long tons (358 t) of cast iron. The base of the tower is hidden by the building that houses the Blackpool Tower Circus. A special time capsule was buried under the foundation stone in 1891. The tower's design was very advanced for its time. People noted that "In heavy winds the building will gently sway, what a magnificent Victorian engineering masterpiece."
Life at the Tower: Fun and Changes Over Time
On its opening day, 3,000 visitors rode the lifts to the top of the Tower. Back then, it cost sixpence to get in, another sixpence for the lift ride, and a third sixpence for the circus. In 1897, the very top of the Tower caught fire, and the flames could be seen from far away!
After about 30 years, the Tower needed a lot of care because it hadn't been painted properly and was starting to rust. Instead of tearing it down, they decided to rebuild it. All the steel parts were replaced between 1920 and 1924.
An interesting event happened in 1894. A Norwegian ship called Abana was sailing in a storm and mistook the newly built Blackpool Tower for a lighthouse. The ship ended up getting wrecked near Little Bispham. You can still see parts of it at low tide, and its bell is in a church nearby.
During World War II in 1940, the very top part of the tower was removed. This was so it could be used as a Royal Air Force radar station, but it didn't work out as planned.
In 1949, a post box was opened at the top of the tower. The lifts that take people to the top were updated in 1956–57, changing from water-powered to electric.
For Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee in 1977, the top of the tower was painted silver. In 1984, a huge model of King Kong was placed on the side of the tower. The next year, an escapologist named Karl Bartoni and his bride even got married while hanging in a cage from the tower!
The lifts were replaced again in 1992. That same year, the whole complex was renamed Tower World and opened by Diana, Princess of Wales. The tower is usually painted dark red. However, for its 100th birthday in 1994, it was painted gold by painters who climbed down ropes. In 1998, a special "Walk of Faith" glass floor panel was added at the top. This thick glass panel allowed visitors to look straight down!
In October 2007, a powerful laser beam was installed on the Tower for the annual Blackpool Illuminations. Some people, like astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, were concerned about it. He said that such bright lights contribute to "light pollution," which makes it harder to see stars. The beam could be seen 30 miles (48 km) away.
The tower also has transmitters for local FM radio station Radio Wave 96.5 and other services.
The Bickerstaffe family owned the tower until 1964. Over the years, it was owned by several different companies. In March 2010, Blackpool Council bought the Blackpool Tower. They arranged for the Merlin Entertainment Group to manage it and add new attractions, like a new Dungeon and an observation deck called Blackpool Tower Eye.
On December 12, 2021, the tower was evacuated because of smoke. Firefighters found that the smoke came from an electrical problem in a building nearby. On December 28, 2023, people reported flames near the top of the tower. Firefighters and even a police helicopter responded. It turned out the 'flames' were actually orange safety netting blowing in the wind!
In 2025, Blackpool Council took over the Tower's operation from Merlin Entertainments, managing it through a new company, Blackpool Tourism Ltd, starting in August. The Blackpool Dungeons continue to operate under an agreement with Merlin.
Exciting Attractions at Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Top: See the World from Above!
The very top of the tower is now known as the Blackpool Tower Top. Standing at 380 feet (120 m) high, it's the tallest observation deck in North West England. It used to be called the Blackpool Tower Eye. When Blackpool Tourism Ltd took over, it went back to its original name, Tower Top. Up here, you'll find a bar and the amazing Skywalk glass floor. There are four levels at the top of the Tower that visitors can explore.
Before you go up, you can enjoy a 4D cinema experience. It shows a fun film about a young boy exploring Blackpool, complete with special effects!
Tower Ballroom: Dance Through History!
.jpg)
.jpg)
The beautiful Tower Ballroom was built between 1897 and 1898. It was designed by Frank Matcham, who also designed the Blackpool Grand Theatre. It opened in 1899. The ballroom has a special sprung dance floor that measures 120 ft × 102 ft (37 m × 31 m). It's made from over 30,000 blocks of mahogany, oak, and walnut wood!
Above the stage, you'll see a famous quote from William Shakespeare: "Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear." Each sparkling crystal chandelier in the ballroom can be lowered to the floor for cleaning, which takes over a week!
Many famous organists have played here. Reginald Dixon, known as "Mr. Blackpool," was the resident organist from 1930 to 1970. The current resident organist is Phil Kelsall, who started playing at the Tower in 1975. He became the main organist in the ballroom in 1977 and was even awarded an MBE for his contributions to music.
In December 1956, a fire damaged the ballroom, destroying the dance floor. It took two years and £500,000 to restore it, with many original designers helping out.
The Tower Ballroom has been featured on TV shows like the BBC series Come Dancing and Strictly Come Dancing. It also hosts the Blackpool Junior Dance Festival every year since 1964.
The ballroom used to have strict rules, like "Gentlemen may not dance unless with a Lady." Also, dancing was not allowed on Sundays; instead, sacred music was played. The ballroom, along with the Tower, Circus, and Roof Garden, became a Grade I listed building in 1973.
Tower Circus: A Splash of Fun!
.jpg)
The Tower Circus is located right at the base of the tower, nestled between its four giant legs. It first opened on May 14, 1894, and has been entertaining audiences ever since, without missing a single season!
The inside of the circus was designed by Frank Matcham and finished in 1900. What makes this circus unique is that its ring can be lowered into a pool of water! It holds 42,000 imperial gallons (190,000 L) of water, up to 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) deep. This allows for amazing Grand Finales with dancing fountains. It's one of only four circuses in the world that can do this!
Famous performers like the clown Charlie Cairoli entertained audiences here for 39 years. Well-known ringmaster Norman Barrett worked in the ring for 25 years. Today, the resident clowns are Mooky the Clown and his brother Mr Boo.
Animals were part of the circus until 1990. Since 1992, the Endresz family has been producing and directing the circus shows.
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon: Spooky History Fun!
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon is an exciting attraction that combines history with a bit of spooky fun! Opened in 2011, it tells stories from the past with a dark, humorous twist. It also features a thrilling ride called "Drop Dead," a 26 ft (7.9 m) drop tower that simulates a dramatic fall. In 2017, the Dungeon also added its first-ever escape room!
Dino Mini Golf: Prehistoric Putting!
Opened in March 2018, Dino Mini Golf is an indoor crazy golf course. It offers "9 holes of prehistoric fun" where you can putt your way through a world of dinosaurs!
The Fifth Floor: Events and Entertainment!
The Fifth Floor is a special space for events, with a stage and a bar. It opened in September 2019. It also features a VR roller coaster ride and an arcade with a circus theme.
Past Attractions at Blackpool Tower
Menagerie and Aquarium: Animal Wonders
Before the Tower, there was Dr. Cocker's Aquarium, Aviary, and Menagerie on this site since 1873. It stayed open while the Tower was built around it and became a popular attraction. The aquarium had 57 different kinds of fish. The menagerie and aviary housed a fantastic collection of animals, including lions, tigers, and polar bears.
The menagerie closed in 1973 when the Blackpool Zoo opened. The aquarium closed in 2010 and was replaced by The Blackpool Dungeons.
Jungle Jim's Towering Adventureland: Indoor Playtime
Jungle Jim's was a huge indoor adventure playground for children inside the Tower. It first opened in 1977. In 2008, it was updated into a £3 million interactive play area, like a lost city, covering over 2,500 square metres (27,000 sq ft). Kids could go on adventures to find hidden treasure. It closed in 2019 and was replaced with The Fifth Floor.
Dawn of Time: Dinosaur Adventure
The Dawn of Time was a dark ride that opened in May 1992. It featured moving dinosaur models and a story told through speakers in the ride cars. It cost £2 million to create.
The ride system was removed in 2007, and the attraction was renamed the Jurassic Walk. Guests could then walk past the dinosaurs. It also had a 3D cinema. This attraction closed in 2011 when Merlin Entertainments refurbished the Tower.
Other Former Attractions
- The Tower Lounge Bar was a large pub that could hold many people. It closed in 2014 and has since become a Harry Ramsden's fish and chip restaurant.
- The Walk of Faith was a small section of glass floor on the Tower observation deck. It allowed guests to look straight down! It opened in 1998 and was replaced by the much larger Skywalk in 2011.
Maintaining the Tower
Painting the entire Tower structure is a huge job that takes seven years to complete! The brave workers who maintain the structure are known as "Stick Men." There are 563 steps from the roof of the Tower building to the very top, which the maintenance teams use for upkeep.
For safety, the top of the Tower is closed if the wind speed goes over 45 mph (72 km/h). If the wind reaches 70 miles per hour (110 km/h), the tower top can sway by about an inch! The Tower used to have 5 miles (8 km) of cables powering 10,000 light bulbs. These have since been replaced with 25,000 eco-friendly LED lights. In April 2002, the Tower maintenance team was featured in the BBC One programme Britain's Toughest Jobs.
Visual Reporting Point
Known as "the tall tower," the Blackpool Tower is used as a visual reporting point (VRP) for small aircraft flying in the local Blackpool airspace. This helps pilots know where they are.
See also
In Spanish: Blackpool Tower para niños
- List of tallest structures built before the 20th century
- List of works by Maxwell and Tuke
- List of towers
- New Brighton Tower
- Reginald Dixon
- Horace Finch
- Theatre organ
- Wade Dooley, local rugby union player capped 55 times for England and nicknamed "Blackpool Tower"
- Wurlitzers in the United Kingdom
