Genteel Victorian values and a yearning for high-brow entertainment combined to form the North Pier in the 1860s. Its orchestral recitals and upscale theater productions lured visitors of a higher social standing than that of its neighboring piers, although many all-embracing attractions were later installed. Walk out along the pier and appreciate some of the 19th-century architecture along the wooden deck.
Purchase traditional seaside treats, such as fish and chips and ice cream, from a quaint café on the pier. Selections of cakes and teas are served on tables from where you can see panoramas of the Irish Sea. For a refined and traditional experience, enjoy the organ music on the open-air deck of the Sunset Lounge.
Dine with your children in the Carousel Bar and put them on the adjacent two-story merry-go-round, which lies within a glass screen that protects it from the elements. Its Victorian iron canopy and Venetian design transport your kids to a bygone era. Embrace the pier’s history with a trip to the theater built in 1939.
Recent additions have broadened the range of entertainment on offer. Watch sports events and listen to live music at the Merrie England Bar, which is a popular spot for birthdays as well as bachelor and bachelorette parties. Visit the palm reader who will tell you about your future, while ice cream parlors will keep you cool on hot summer days.
With the 1960s came the creation of the pier’s amusement arcade. Test your luck at the slot machines and play pinball, air hockey and other classics with your kids. The arcade’s hours are daily from morning until late afternoon during the week, remaining open until evening on Saturday and Sunday.
Numerous transportation links lead to the North Pier, which is a 10-minute walk north from the Central Pier. Ride the train to the Blackpool North railway station or take the tram to the North Pier stop. Many bus stops also line the beachside promenade that leads to the nearby attractions of the World War Memorial, Viva Blackpool and the Comedy Carpet.
