The huge £300million seaside attraction to open in the UK with new hotel, indoor theme parks and restaurants
ONE of the UK's most affordable seaside towns has opened part of its huge new £300million attraction.
The development was first announced back in 2021.
Set to be the biggest project for Blackpool in more than a century, it will transform the seaside town's famous Golden Mile.
Included in the plan are three indoor attractions, including a 127,000sqft flying theatre and two smaller theme parks.
For example, inside will be:
- Indoor interactive entertainment with a roller-glider, rope course, adventure trail, quick jump and climbing wall
- Rides, arcades, bounce park, inflatable attractions, laser tag and bumper cars
- The world’s most advanced “Virtual Reality” experience
- The world’s first “Greatest Mysteries” multimedia exhibition
- Alien bar and event restaurant with rollercoaster service and an hourly special effects show
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Restaurants and bars will also be part of the complex, with upgrades to the roads and pathways throughout.
The new Heritage Quarter will include an "Artisan Food Hall" as well as a refurbished pub and Aparthotel.
A new £23million tram extension and tram stop opens this month, with a new underpass at Blackpool North train station.
Part of the project has already been completed, with the £13million Showton Blackpool museum opening earlier this year.
Inside are more than 800 objects celebrating the history of Blackpool, with free entry for locals.
A Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant have also already opened.
The 1,300 space car park has just opened too, with works now set to begin on the hotel.
The £300million project also includes upgrades to the famous Blackpool Illuminations, as well as new workplaces and university campuses.
Norbert Reichart, chief executive at Media Invest Entertainment who are behind the attraction, previously said: "Blackpool is the undisputed entertainment capital of the UK and our scheme will help cement the town as a must-visit year-round destination for generations to come."
First being used as a swimming spot in the 1770s, Blackpool Tower opened in 1894.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach opened two years later in 1896, which was named one of the best theme parks in the world last year.
It was even named one of the most affordable seaside destinations in the country.
A study anaylsed four categories, including accommodation, transport, activities and eating out.
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What is a Blackpool holiday really like?
Mum Catherine Lofthouse recently visited Blackpool - here's what she thought of her seaside holiday.
Recently voted the most underrated UK holiday destination, I've been tempted back to the Lancashire town to see if it can reclaim its crown as Britain's best-loved beach resort.
Everywhere I look, there's building taking place and existing attractions being spruced up.
There's been investment along the seafront, with Merlin, the company behind Alton Towers and Legoland, recently opening its eighth attraction in the town with the arrival of the Gruffalo Clubhouse for little ones.
Away from the beach, work is taking place to restore the historic Winter Gardens and their surrounds to their former glory.
And the decision to film an episode of flagship BBC show Strictly Come Dancing at the Tower Ballroom every autumn has put Blackpool back in the public eye.
I'm hard-pressed to think of another UK seaside resort that has quite such a breadth of attractions for staycationers young and old.
In the future my family might be following in the footsteps of generations of Brits making an annual pilgrimage to the bright lights of Blackpool.
Blackpool had some of the most affordable rooms - Premier Inn has rooms as little as £35, although a scheme previously saw hotels giving away rooms for just 1p a night.
It;s also the cheapest place for a pint, with an average price of just £3.25, as well as home to the cheapest chippy.