Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a seaside amusement park on the South Shore of Blackpool, Lancashire, England, founded in 1896 by American showman W. G. Bean and John Outhwaite. More than a century later it remains one of Britain’s most visited attractions, drawing millions of guests each year to a compact 42-acre site packed with rides, arcades, and Blackpool Tower views along the promenade.
The park is still run by the Thompson family, with Amanda Thompson serving as managing director since 2004. It holds the largest collection of wooden roller coasters of any park in the United Kingdom, four in total, alongside modern steel thrill rides, and it is home to Sir Hiram Maxim’s Captive Flying Machine, which opened in 1904 and is recognized as the oldest amusement ride still operating in Europe.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: South Shore, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
- Opened: 1896
- Size: 42 acres (17 hectares)
- Total attractions: 31, including 10 roller coasters
- Signature coaster: The Big One (1994) — 213 ft tall, 74 mph, Arrow Dynamics
- Newest coaster: Icon (2018) — Mack Rides launch coaster, £16.25 million
- Oldest ride: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Captive Flying Machine (1904)
- Ownership: Thompson family
The Ride Experience
The Big One has anchored the park’s skyline since 1994, when its 213-foot lift and 74 mph descent briefly made it the tallest roller coaster in the world. Built by Arrow Dynamics, it remains one of the UK’s tallest and fastest coasters more than three decades later, running alongside classic wooden rides like the Grand National and Big Dipper that give the park its distinctly old-school seaside character.
In 2018, Blackpool added Icon, a Mack Rides multi-launch coaster that reaches almost 53 mph and includes a spinning “Ensō” car for an extra thrill. The mix of vintage wooden coasters and modern launch technology, all within walking distance of Blackpool’s beach and promenade, is part of what keeps the park distinctive among UK theme parks.
A Seaside Institution
Blackpool Pleasure Beach opened in 1896 during the golden age of British seaside tourism, when Blackpool was becoming one of the country’s premier holiday destinations. Unlike parks built on greenfield sites, it grew organically within the town, wedged between the promenade and residential streets, which is part of why it has stayed so dense with attractions on a relatively small footprint.
The park has stayed in the founding Thompson family for generations, with Amanda Thompson taking over as managing director in 2004. That continuity, combined with the preservation of historic rides like the 1904 Captive Flying Machine, has helped the park maintain a heritage identity that few other major theme parks can match.
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach FAQs
When did Blackpool Pleasure Beach open?
It opened in 1896, founded by W. G. Bean and John Outhwaite on Blackpool’s South Shore.
What is the tallest ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach?
The Big One, an Arrow Dynamics hypercoaster that opened in 1994, stands 213 feet tall and reaches 74 mph.
Is Blackpool Pleasure Beach still family-owned?
Yes, it remains owned and operated by the Thompson family, with Amanda Thompson as managing director since 2004.
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Photo: Mari Buckley / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.