Standing on the Irish Sea coast of England, Blackpool has delighted visitors for decades with its attractions that have stood the test of time. We take a look at Blackpool Culture!

The Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower and Tower Ballroom combined with timeless seaside classics. Fish and chips, candy floss and ice cream may be the face of Blackpool, the memories it evokes, but its culture runs deep. Far beyond the staples of a traditional seaside town.

It is rich with exquisite art, quality food, beautiful coffee and craft beer.

Underneath, we’re taking a look at some of the places that is putting Blackpool on the cultural map.

Blackpool Culture – Brunch at – Hive Coffee Club

In an age where coffee is a cultural king, it is hardly surprising to see Hive flourishing in Blackpool. Its seemingly endless choice of coffees, teas and brunch items make Hive a social hub. Its motto is fitting: ‘great coffee and real food’. And its inventive menu has made it a firm favourite among locals. Sourcing all their products as much as possible from local, artisan suppliers that share their ethical stance. It isn’t hard to see why Hive Coffee Club is a cultural hit in the town.

Blackpool Culture – Visit – Grundy Art Gallery

If you’re looking for culture that is steeped in community… Look no further than the Grundy Art Gallery. Recently, it has exhibited work from local artists as well as running a Blackpool School’s Exhibition. The gallery sheds a light on new talent as well as established artists. Admission is free and it is funded by the Arts Council England, so you really can’t get much more community based than that.

Currently, Blackpool based photographer Claire Griffith’s #RetiredPerformers: The Interval is being exhibited, these are snapshot photos detailing the stories of chauffeurs, dancers, musicians and performers who were active in Blackpool in the 1970’s and before.

Blackpool Culture – Tune in to – Cowbell Radio

A local FM station that promises it’s ‘all about the music and the banter’. It started as a part-time station but thanks to the support of the locals and the passion of the staff, it’s now a 24/7 station. Cowbell Radio has distanced itself from commercial, repetitive radio and promises to play diverse, culturally relevant music. With no fixed playlist they can be in touch with the local communities as they want. Holding regular public events and sponsoring local teams and business. Be sure to tune in and even visit them at their base in Blackpool cricket club.

Blackpool Culture – Dine at – Faringo’s Restaurant

It’s hard to talk about modern culture and avoid the youthful shift to more plant-based living. Faringo’s, based in the award-winning King’s hotel, is the first 100% vegan restaurant in Blackpool. And it’s really making a name for itself. With their vegan twist on Italian classics, you can dine in and enjoy stone baked pizzas as well as ragu, carbonara … Even seitan steak. Their menu also caters for children’s meals and they are fully licensed, making it the perfect venue to check out with the family.

Blackpool Culture – Visit – Pleasure Beach

Pleasure Beach is hardly a hidden gem. Referring to itself as the ‘UK’s most iconic theme park’, it’s been delighting tourists for years. But when it comes to culture, you can’t ignore its impact on the town. Boasting ten thrilling rollercoasters including The Big Dipper, Icon and Valhalla, the theme park is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. It’s incredibly family friendly too. With Nickelodeon Land keeping children entertained all day as well as Ripley’s Believe it or Not and adventure golf delighting visitors. The recent addition of a new £16.25 million rollercoaster just shows how the town’s and Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s popularity continues to soar.

Blackpool Culture – Visit – Blackpool Zoo

Perhaps not what you’d likely expect to be beside the seaside, but Blackpool’s Zoo and its conservation efforts are making it a real local, cultural establishment. Boasting incredible animals such as gorillas, tigers, elephants and lions. You won’t be disappointed when you explore the zoo for a fun packed family day out. The community- based Gorilla Organisation was set up to save the last remaining gorillas in the world from extinction and Blackpool zoo as well as the local community is fiercely behind this movement.

Blackpool Culture – Take Part – Left Coast

LeftCoast is a programme of arts, culture and creative activity happening across Blackpool and Wyre on the Fylde Coast. We aim to provide opportunities to experience high quality arts and culture that is accessible to all.

We’re all about creating amazing art on your doorstep. From jaw-dropping spectacle to intimate experiences in your neighbourhood, we want to make art happen. In the process we hope to inspire and support creatives who live, work and study here. We have a set of of commissioning principles that we use to help us decide what work we want to encourage the creation of or bring to Blackpool and Wyre.

RUSH will be a dance, light and projection mapping masterpiece in Blackpool during the Lightpool Festival on October 26 2018.

RUSH is an outdoor large-scale dance spectacular, created by Southpaw Dance Company, commissioned by LeftCoast and co-produced with Event International, with a community cast of over 100 performing alongside the professional dancers and production team.

Blackpool Culture – Visit – Grand Theatre

If you’re a fan of theatre and great architecture, you can’t miss visiting The Grand Theatre. Part of Blackpool’s unique experience, The Grand was opened in 1894. It is now one of Britain’s premier heritage theatres.

Blackpool’s Grand hosts a variety of shows, from musicals to comedy. It also offers tours where you can learn about its exceptional history. You can hardly find any other place in Blackpool prouder of its heritage and peformances than The Grand Theatre.

Blackpool Culture! – Visit – Bootleg Social Bar

Bootleg Social is the place to be if you’re looking for something different and exciting. Forget cheap alcohol and boring music, Bootleg Social offers the best of the alternative music scene, with live shows and craft beers! It’s Blackpool’s newest independent bar and promises ‘great drinks, great music, even better food!’. But the place is not all about music: film screenings, poetry nights and pub quizzes are organised monthly. The place has a perfect 5 stars score on TripAdvisor and people rave about the suggestive atmosphere.

Blackpool Culture! – Visit – Rock Factory Print Studio

In the heart and rock soul of Blackpool, you will find The Old Rock Factory, a venue for all types of artists and creatives. Inside, the Rock Factory Print Studio offers print services and print courses 7 days a week. You will find an amazing gallery featuring the most daring and interesting prints by print maker Robin Ross, owner of the place. The Rock Factory is a place for artists to meet, work together and inspire each other.

The face of Blackpool may remain its endearing, clichéd seaside attractions that pull in the punters, but its hidden gems of culture continue to go from strength to strength. The community spirit is there for all to see and you’d be missing out on eye-opening cultural establishments should you just stick to the fish and chips and candy floss. Blackpool has a rich tapestry of culture weaved throughout its streets and it’s there for you to revel in all year round.

Culture Blackpool

Discover more about what Blackpool has to offer as a Cultural destination in this video… Find your#Bside at the Seaside…

The face of Blackpool may remain its endearing, clichéd seaside attractions that pull in the tourists, but its hidden gems of culture continue to go from strength to strength.

The community spirit is there for all to see and you’d be missing out on eye-opening cultural establishments should you just stick to the fish and chips and candy floss. Blackpool has a rich tapestry of culture weaved throughout its streets and it’s there for you to revel in all year round.

More can be found on Culture Blackpool.

Why not take a Tour or take part in one of their Photographic Sessions  at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, Tours take place each month – Book early though, they sell out fast!

For other Things To Do In Blackpool or Where to Eat In Blackpool we have all the answers!

Discover More About Blackpool…

Blackpool in the 1950s

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Blackpool in the 1970s

Blackpool in the 1980s

Blackpool in the 1990s