The park is host to many records, including the largest collection of wooden roller coasters of any park in the United Kingdom with four: Big Dipper, Blue Flyer, Grand National, and Nickelodeon Streak.[2] Many of the roller coasters in the park are record-breaking attractions. When The Big One opened in 1994, it was the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world.[3] The ride holds the record as the second-tallest and second-fastest roller coaster in the United Kingdom, and the longest roller coaster in Europe.[4]
The park was the first in Europe to introduce an inverting steel coaster, Revolution,[5] and operates the last Steeplechase roller coaster. Grand National is one of only two wooden Möbius loop coasters still operating. Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine is the oldest amusement ride in Europe, having opened in 1904. Valhalla was one of the largest and most expensive indoor dark rides in the world. The park also operates Nickelodeon Land, a themed children's section.
History
Early years (1896–1930)
River CavesBig Dipper
Pleasure Beach Resort was founded in 1896 by Alderman William George Bean after he failed in his attempt to become an advertising man on New York City's Madison Avenue. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1897 and opened two separate amusement parks: one adjacent to Euston Road in Great Yarmouth, and another in Blackpool, opposite the tram terminus.[6] The Great Yarmouth amusement park failed to generate much interest, so Bean moved to Blackpool full-time towards the end of the 1890s. The Switchback roller coaster, which was built in 1891, predated the park. The park was built around it.
In 1903, Bean, along with local businessman John Outhwaite, purchased 30 acres of land known as the "Watson Estate", which was used to expand the amusement park.[7] The original Pleasure Beach Resort was built on the sand dunes along the promenade and consisted of a few roundabouts, a bicycle railway, and several Gypsy stalls. Bean and Outhwaite decided to grow the business after visiting Coney Island in the United States. Using a small static fairground in London's Earls Court for inspiration, Bean added more rides and sideshows to the park, which began to garner the attention of holidaymakers. Bean's aim was to establish a fun park of a relative size that would "make adults feel like children again and inspire gaiety of a primarily innocent character".[6]
The first notable attraction to open at Pleasure Beach was Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine in 1904. It is a rotary swing ride designed by the British inventor of the same name. A mill chute water ride followed in 1905, which opened under the name The River Caves of the World. Both of these rides are still operational today. In 1907, the park opened its second wooden roller coaster, which was known as Scenic Railway. It was during this time that the park began to be known as Blackpool Pleasure Beach. In 1909, Bean expanded the business by purchasing a second amusement park up the coast in Morecambe under the name West End Amusement Park, which would later become Frontierland Western Theme Park. The success of the Morecambe park led to a third amusement park opening four years later in Southport, under the name Adventure Coast Southport.
Meanwhile, Pleasure Beach Resort was developed with frequent large scale investments, including Velvet Coaster, House of Nonsense, Joy Wheel, and The Whip. Outhwaite died in 1911, leaving most of the remaining business to Bean; the Outhwaite family still obtained shares in the park and would occasionally have input into its growth. Following the first World War, investment at the park ceased due to the difficulty in exporting rides from the United States, and the next investments would not be until 1922 when Virginia Reel and Noah's Ark opened. Despite the lack of investment, profits soared, and the company was noted as being one of the most prolific employers in the northwest of England.
Further into the 1920s, Bean invested in the Casino Building. Opened in 1913, it was designed by local architect Robert Butcher Mather, and themed to an Indian palace.[8] In 1938, it was demolished and replaced with a more modern Art Deco-style building, designed by architect Joseph Emberton.[9] Today, the Casino Building features a number of function rooms and offices, and the ground floor space is used as the main ticket centre.
In 1923, land was reclaimed from the Blackpool seafront, and it was during this period that Pleasure Beach Resort moved to its current 42-acre (17ha) location along the promenade. The same year, Bean brought in John A. Miller to design and build Big Dipper, an out-and-back wooden coaster. Shortly afterwards, a boating pool was built for boat rides. This was Bean's final investment before he died of pneumonia in 1929, having spent 33 years shaping and developing the park. Following his death, his daughter Lillian-Doris inherited the Pleasure Beach Resort business.
Lillian-Doris Bean married Leonard Thompson, a businessman, in 1928. They initially lived in London. However, after Bean's death, the couple returned to Blackpool, where decisions regarding the future running of Pleasure Beach Resort were in discussion. Up until that point, Leonard had not had any active involvement with the park, but in a mutual agreement with his wife, it was agreed that Thompson would take over the park and have full responsibility for all its affairs. His first move was to appoint Oscar Haworth as the general manager and George Palmer as chairman of the company. Over the next two years, Thompson worked with the Outhwaites to expand the business further, starting with the construction of Ghost Train, which opened in 1930.
Golden years (1931–2004)
The Big OneValhalla
In 1931, the Outhwaite family sold their share of the park to the Thompsons, giving them complete control and ownership of the business. The following year, Watson Road was built alongside the park, which resulted in the closure of Velvet Coaster. Velvet Coaster's structure was reused in the construction of Roller Coaster, which opened in 1933 and was designed by Charles Paige. Thompson's next major investment was the construction of Fun House in 1934, and Grand National in 1935, a wooden coaster designed by Charles Paige.
The success of Paige's wooden coasters resulted in an extension of Big Dipper in 1936, which was lengthened towards the south-westerly side of the park. During this time, Thompson hired Joseph Emberton for the park. He worked on the Casino Building, Noah's Ark and the Ice Drome, a 2,000-seat ice rink. Emberton continued to design for Pleasure Beach Resort up until his death in 1956. Jack Ratcliffe, who had been involved in the Festival of Britain, was brought in to continue the work Emberton did.
Investments steadily decreased during the second World War; however, the park remained open throughout the war. The park returned to prominence in 1958 with the debut of Wild Mouse, the first new ride since World War II. In the following years, Derby Racer and Alice in Wonderland opened. The scale of investments increased into the 1960s, with a log flume opening in 1967 and The Gold Mine opening four years later. After many successful years as the managing director of Pleasure Beach Resort, Leonard Thompson died in 1976, having run the business for 47 years. Following Thompson's death, Doris Thompson was appointed chairman of the business. Their only son, Geoffrey Thompson, inherited his father's role, and became the new managing director.
Geoffrey Thompson returned to the family business as head of catering at the Casino Building. He married his wife Barbara in 1962 and had three children: Amanda, Nicholas and Fiona. He hired Keith Ingham to make extensive alterations to the Casino Building, which was reimagined as the Wonderful World Building (though it has since reverted to its original name of the Casino Building). Thompson's years of management saw the opening of Steeplechase, Avalanche, Revolution and Launch Pad. His most notable investments include The Big One, which opened in 1994 as the tallest roller coaster in the world, and Valhalla, which opened in 2000.[10]
In 1986, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Limited became one of the first companies in the United Kingdom to register with the Government Profit Related Pay Unit. Under this scheme, the company agreed that, where profits exceeded £1 million, 10 per cent would be distributed among the permanent staff according to their length of service.[10]
In 2000, a recreation of Pleasure Beach Resort appeared in the theme park management video game RollerCoaster Tycoon as part of the "Loopy Landscapes" expansion.[11][12]
Thompson often found himself in dispute with the Blackpool Council over their decision to allow private traders to operate on land opposite the park. Further investments followed at Pleasure Beach Resort, including Spin Doctor in 2002, Big Blue Hotel in 2003, and Bling in 2004. Geoffrey Thompson died of a heart attack at the park on 12 June 2004 while attending a party to celebrate his daughter's wedding. Doris Thompson died nine days later, on 23 June, the date of her son's funeral.[13]
Later years (2004–present)
IconInfusion
Amanda Thompson, Geoffrey's eldest daughter and director of the park for over 15years, took over the Pleasure Beach Resort business in 2004 following her father's death. Her brother, Nicholas Thompson, became the deputy managing director, and her sister, Fiona Giljé, became the senior company director.[14] During Amanda's years of ownership, the park has seen vast redevelopment, including the removal of numerous rides such as The Whip, Space Invader 2, Turtle Chase, Spin Doctor, Trauma Towers, Noah's Ark, Black Hole, Bling, Wild Mouse and Superbowl. In 2006, the family closed Adventure Coast Southport, had not turned a profit for several years. This move coincided with the closure of Pleasure Beach's log flume Drench Falls and the introduction of Infusion, the park's first new roller coaster in 13years. Infusion was relocated from Adventure Coast Southport, where it had previously operated under the name of Traumatizer since 1999, and was built on the site of Drench Falls.
In 2011, the Thompson family signed a contract with Viacom, owners of Nickelodeon, to open Nickelodeon Land, a 4-acre children's area situated within the main park.[15] Nickelodeon Land was a £10 million redevelopment of the park's previous children's area, Beaver Creek, which closed in 2010. Many rides were relocated within the park or rethemed in order to accommodate the new area.
In 2018 the park installed Icon, a £16.25 million multi-launch coaster built by Mack Rides,[20][21] and the first roller coaster to be built at the park in over a decade. In 2019, a second hotel called Boulevard Hotel was built on the site of the former Star Pub.[22] In February 2024, the park rebranded from Blackpool Pleasure Beach to Pleasure Beach Resort.[23]
On 6 March 2024, The Big One lost its title as the United Kingdom's tallest roller coaster after 30 years, with the completion of Hyperia at Thorpe Park.
In 2025, the park confirmed a number of rides would not reopen for the season, including Red Arrows Sky Force, Gallopers, Thompson Carousel, and Alpine Rallye. That same year, Ice Blast, which temporarily closed in 2023, was rethemed and reopened as Launch Pad. The park also entered a partnership with Coca-Cola to become its new soft drink partner, ending a previous partnership with PepsiCo and Britvic that had been in place since 1994.[24][25]
A steel hypercoaster with a height of 65 metres (213 ft). It reaches speeds of up to 119 km/h (74 mph).[28] It was the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world upon its opening in 1994 until 1996. It was previously sponsored by Pepsi Max, at which point it was known as Pepsi Max Big One.[29]
A children's wooden coaster composed of bunny hills. A tunnel was added to the layout in 1984. Originally known as Zipper Dipper, and renamed to Blue Flyer in 2011 to coincide with the opening of Nickelodeon Land. It was previously sponsored by Warburtons, and was known as Warburtons Milk Roll-A-Coaster during that time.[30]
A wooden dual-track racing roller coaster. It is themed to the Grand National horse race, and is one of only five Möbius loop roller coasters still in existence.[31]
A multi-launch steel coaster built by Mack Rides. Icon is 27 metres (88 ft) tall, reaches speeds of up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph) along 1,140 metres (3,750 ft) of track, and features two launches and a single inversion. It also features a spinning car in the back row, which can be ridden for an extra fee.[32]
A wooden coaster. From 1933 to 2010, it was known simply as Roller Coaster. In 2011, it was renamed Nickelodeon Streak to coincide with the addition of Nickelodeon Land. It reused the lift hill from Velvet Coaster, which was built in 1909 and closed in 1932.
55 metre (180 ft) tall drop tower. Originally opened as PlayStation: The Ride, then later renamed to Tango Ice Blast and Ice Blast: The Ride with a new sponsorship.[36]
Water rides
Ride
Manufacturer
Type
Opened
Dora's World Voyage
W.G.H. Transportation Engineering
Scenic boat ride
2011
A miniature boat ride located in Nickelodeon Land. Replaced Magic Mountain. Themed to Dora the Explorer.
The only ride of its type in the United Kingdom, with rider controlled water cannons, which are used whilst riders sit in vehicles that spin. Themed to SpongeBob SquarePants.
One of only three of its kind in the world (the others being at Cedar Point and Playland), the ride is a carousel with 56 horses in four rows, which race each other throughout the ride.
Arrow Huss dark ride that originally opened as The Gold Mine in 1971. It was refurbished in 2013 to feature scenes from the animated Wallace & Gromit series, whilst retaining the track layout from The Gold Mine.
Water ride, originally opened as Water Chute. Renamed Vikingar in 2000 to match the theme of Valhalla. Relocated from Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester.
Alpine Golf
1970s
2009
Swiss-themed miniature golf, previously located under Avalanche. Replaced by Alpine Rallye.
Astroglide
1970s
1992
A giant slide.
Astro Liner
1970s
1980s
A simulator ride.
Ben Hur
1970s
1980s
Similar to The Whip, but with a pedal to help start motion.
Indoor haunted walkthrough attraction originally known as The Haunted Hotel. Stood out of operation until 2018, when it was demolished.
The Hard Luck Bears Show
1980
1994
Electronically controlled animatronic show that featured a cast of singing and joke-telling bears manufactured by Creative Engineering, Inc. Relocated to Frontierland Western Theme Park as The Crazy Bear Show. Replaced by the Globe Theatre and Gallery.
A Zierer Star Shape ride. Replaced by Red Arrows Sky Force.
4D Cinema
2007
2008
Upcharge theatre attraction. Replaced by a puppet and magic show.
Bridgestone Go Karts
1990s
2017
Upcharge go-karts which closed to make way for Icon.
Dodgems
2010
2024
A standard Dodgems set by I.E. Park, which opened after Superbowl closed.
Eddie Stobart Convoy
2002
2024
Utilising the Veteran Cars circuit, this revamp opened in 2002. A children's automobile track ride featuring Zamperla vehicles painted in the old Eddie Stobart Ltd livery with names.
Alpine Rallye
2011
2024
A children's automobile track ride manufactured by Ihle. After the closure of Beaver Creek, the 'Thor's Turnpike' ride was renamed and relocated to near Avalanche.
Red Arrows Sky Force
2015
2024
Stood at 22 metres (72 ft). Gerstlauer Sky Fly ride. Featured individual planes on a long arm which spun as the ride vehicle rocked side to side. Replaced Bling. Partially dismantled as of 2025.
Gallopers
1979
2024
Made by traditional carousel builder Frederick Savage, this traditional carousel dated back to 1919. Sold to Northwest Funfairs.
Thompson Carousel
1977
2024
A miniature carousel ride formerly named Veteran Carousel in its original location within Beaver Creek. Manufactured by H.P. Jackson.
Entertainment
Evolution of Magic
A Las Vegas-themed magic and illusion show performed by magicians Craig Christian and Elizabeth Best. Performed seasonally in The Horseshoe.[41]
A seasonal ice show performed at The Arena (previously the Ice Drome). The show has been running since 1936, and is produced by Amanda Thompson, with choreography by Oula Jääskeläinen.[42]
Pleasure Beach arches
Ken Webster: Mentalist Hypnotist
A seasonal comedy hypnotism show performed by hypnotist Ken Webster.[43]
A £500,000 half-an-hour musical water show designed by Aquatique Show International. It features thirty individual jets synchronized to move to different styles of music, and a water cannon capable of shooting water up to 100 feet into the air.
Other attractions
Adventure GolfPasaje Del Terror
Adventure Golf
A 12-hole golf course situated on the former Flagstaff Gardens site on the promenade. Opened in 2008.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not!
A museum of oddities built across two floors and inspired by Ripley's Believe It Or Not!. Situated along Ocean Boulevard.
Pasaje Del Terror
Interactive horror maze, situated towards the north end of Ocean Boulevard and adjacent to the entrance to Pleasure Beach Resort. Opened in June 1998.[44]
The Arena
A large ice rink situated towards the east of the park. Home to Hot Ice Show and open year-round.
Accommodation
Boulevard Hotel
Big Blue Hotel
A family hotel called Big Blue Hotel sits on the property adjacent to Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station, towards the south end of Ocean Boulevard. It opened in spring 2003.[45]
Boulevard Hotel
In 2019, a second hotel, the Boulevard Hotel, was built on the site of the former Star Pub. The hotel features 120 rooms and 10 suites.
On 21 July 2000, 11-year-old Christopher Sharrat died after falling from a ride vehicle on the Space Invader roller coaster. He was reported to have possibly panicked on the ride and unfastened his seatbelt. Following an investigation, authorities ruled the death as accidental.[47] The ride closed in 2008 and has since relocated to Brean Leisure Park, opened there in 2011 as Astro Storm.[48]
On 31 August 2000, 23 people were injured when two trains collided on The Big One due to a failure with the ride's braking system. Twenty-one were taken to hospital.
On 11 August 2009, two trains on Big Dipper carrying a total of 32 guests collided, resulting in 21 people requiring treatment for injuries ranging from whiplash and broken noses to cut and bruises.
On 14 June 2011, a train on The Big One stopped abruptly, causing a few minor injuries to the occupants. One person was reportedly taken to hospital suffering from whiplash.
On 24 October 2014, 58-year-old Robert Sycamore accompanied his 13-year-old nephew on Grand National. When the ride returned to the station, Sycamore was found unresponsive with a broken neck. It was later revealed he had an underlying back condition.
In popular culture
In 1997, Pleasure Beach Resort was the subject of a six-part BBC documentary which focused on the daily operation of the park. Each episode featured interviews with park management, and dealt with the everyday triumphs and hurdles of running an amusement park.[citation needed]
1 2 "How they made the space for a monster". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Blackburn, Lancashire, UK. 8 January 1994. p.6. The 158ft Space Tower, built in 1974 at a cost of more than £500,000, had to be dismantled as it was right in the [Big One roller coaster's] path.
Walton, John K. (2007). Riding on Rainbows: Blackpool Pleasure Beach and its Place in British Popular Culture. St. Albans: Skelter Publishing. ISBN978-0-9544573-6-5.
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