The best beach activities in Blackpool

If you are heading to Blackpool over the summer, here is a selection of the things to do and see on and around the beach, which we recommend adding to your itinerary if the sun is shining when you visit.

Chill out and relax with the family

Sometimes, there is nothing better than spending an afternoon relaxing on an award-winning beach, feeling the warmth on your back while looking out at the glistening sea with an ice cream in hand.

The Blackpool central beach is perfect for anyone wanting to indulge in a few hours of sunshine. It is a traditional sandy style, which is great for building sandcastles with the family. There are also donkey rides available, a classic Blackpool activity that your children are sure to enjoy.

The sea is ideal for paddling and cooling off on hot summer days. The beach has recently been awarded Seaside Awards for the second successive year, for its high standards of beach management, nearby facilities and water quality, while a beach patrol team monitor the area, so the water is perfectly clean and safe for those who fancy going for a dip.

Enjoy the activities on Blackpool’s piers

Blackpool’s three piers each have their own unique appeal, guaranteeing that you will find one that is perfect for you and your family.

• Central Pier – Great for family fun and entertainment, the pier is full of thrilling shows, funfair rides and seaside stalls. Its arcade contains classic machines and games, while there are old fairground favourites like dodgems and waltzers as well as rides for younger children. The Central Pier is also home to the famous Big Wheel, which offers scenic views across the beautiful Blackpool coastline.

• North Pier – As the oldest pier, this is perfect for those wanting to delve into Blackpool’s history. Often the most quiet and peaceful, there is plenty of Victorian architecture to marvel at as well as a charming Victorian carousel, sun lounge and Victorian tea rooms that are great for a quick sit down and a bite to eat. The North Pier Theatre is also well worth a visit, where you can catch one of the many shows put on throughout the summer.

• South Pier – This was the last pier to be constructed and contains plenty of fun family activities. Its rides include a log flume, waltzer and ghost train, while the Adrenalin Zone includes the free fall experience Skycoaster. There are also plenty of funfair rides for younger children as well as The Laughing Donkey, a family friendly bar offering entertainment throughout the summer season.

Stroll along the Blackpool promenade

A relaxing late afternoon or evening stroll along the promenade is the ideal way to end a fun-filled day in Blackpool. There are stunning views across the beautiful seafront to be enjoyed and plenty of arcades, art exhibits and attractions dotted along the way – we would recommend getting a photo with the World’s Largest Mirror Ball.

If you don’t feel like walking along the entirety of the promenade, the north shore stretch is the oldest part of the promenade, where little has changed since the Victorian era, while the newly regenerated central stretch with Spanish steps and new headlands is also well worth walking along.

The Blackpool Pleasure Beach

While the Blackpool Pleasure Beach is not a beach in the conventional sense, it is still worth a mention. Full of theme park roller coasters including the Big One, the Big Dipper, Grand National and the brand new Red Arrows Skyforce, it is great family fun and one of Blackpool’s most famous attractions. There is a large selection of fairground rides, stalls and amusements as well as various entertaining shows ranging from magic and hypnotism to ice skating shows to be enjoyed.

With so much to do and see in and around the Blackpool beach, any day spent at our seaside resort this summer is guaranteed to be full of fun and excitement.

For your visit, why not also find out more about the other Blackpool events and attractions that are there to be enjoyed, so that you can make your experience one that you’ll never forget?