Blackpool

Blackpool
Town
The Illuminations The Town Hall Blackpool Tower Pleasure Beach Stanley Park St John's Church on Cedar Square Winter Gardens
Blackpool Location on the Fylde, Lancashire Show map of the Fylde Blackpool Town centre within Borough of Blackpool Show map of Blackpool Blackpool Location within Lancashire Show map of Lancashire
Area	34.47 km2 (13.31 sq mi)
Population	141,000 (2021 census)
• Density	4,091/km2 (10,600/sq mi)
Demonym	Blackpudlian
Unitary authority	Blackpool
Ceremonial county	Lancashire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BLACKPOOL
Postcode district	FY1-FY5
Dialling code	01253
UK Parliament	Blackpool North and Cleveleys Blackpool South
Website	blackpool.gov.uk
List of places UK England Lancashire 53°48′51″N 3°03′01″W / 53.81417°N 3.05028°W / 53.81417; -3.05028

Blackpool is a seaside resort town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately 27 miles (43 km) north of Liverpool and 14 miles (23 km) west of Preston. It is the main settlement in the borough of the same name. The population of Blackpool at the 2021 census was 141,000, a decrease of 1,100 in ten years.^[1]

Blackpool was originally a small hamlet; it began to grow in the mid-eighteenth century, when sea bathing for health purposes became fashionable. Blackpool's beach was suitable for this activity, and by 1781 several hotels had been built. The opening of a railway station in the 1846 allowed more visitors to reach the resort, which continued to grow for the remainder of the nineteenth century. In 1876, the town became a borough, and by 1951 its population had reached 147,000. Blackpool's development was closely tied to the Lancashire cotton-mill practice of annual factory maintenance shutdowns, known as wakes weeks, when many workers chose to visit the seaside.

In the late 20th century, changing holiday preferences and increased overseas travel impacted Blackpool's standing as a leading resort. Despite economic challenges, the town's urban fabric and economy remain centred around tourism. Today, Blackpool's seafront, featuring landmarks such as Blackpool Tower, Illuminations, Pleasure Beach, and the Winter Gardens, continue to draw millions of visitors annually.^[2]