Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Roller coasters on the English coast
On the seafront in Blackpool, in the north-west of England, lies one of Britain's best-known theme parks: Blackpool Pleasure Beach. You'll find ten roller coasters, wooden classics almost a hundred years old and the country's only Nickelodeon Land. Here you can read about what there is to do and how to get there.
What is Blackpool Pleasure Beach?
Blackpool Pleasure Beach (officially Pleasure Beach Resort) has been around since 1896 and is still a family business. The park covers some 17 hectares and is right by the sea. It's one of the most visited attractions in the United Kingdom.
It's the mix that makes the park special. Alongside modern roller coasters such as ICON and the hypercoaster The Big One, there are historic wooden coasters such as the Big Dipper and the Grand National. According to the park, it's also home to the world's first ghost train. For families there's Nickelodeon Land with twelve rides featuring SpongeBob, Dora and the Rugrats. Since May 2026 there's been a new highlight: the giant swing Aviktas.
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The highlights
These are the attractions you shouldn't miss, with the minimum height according to the park:
- The Big One (132 cm): the hypercoaster with a 235-foot (more than 70-metre) drop along the coast.
- ICON (130 cm): the UK's only double-launch roller coaster.
- Aviktas (130 cm): since 2026 the UK's tallest giant swing, with 40 riders and views over Blackpool.
- Valhalla (130 cm): the multi-award-winning Viking water ride. You really do get wet here.
- Infusion (132 cm): a suspended roller coaster with loops above the water.
- Revolution (127 cm): a launch, a loop and then the whole thing again in reverse.
- Avalanche (132 cm, 112 cm with an adult): the UK's only bobsleigh coaster.
- Big Dipper (117 cm): the classic wooden roller coaster from 1923.
With children
In Nickelodeon Land you meet characters such as SpongeBob and the PAW Patrol and ride the Bikini Bottom Bus Tour, the Rugrats Lost River or the little family coaster Nickelodeon Streak (117 cm). Children of any height can go on many of the rides, as long as they can walk on their own and an accompanying person comes along. Think of Dora's World Voyage, Diego's Rainforest Rescue, Wonder Pets Big Circus Bounce and the Pleasure Beach Express.
Children under 2 get in free. With the Nickelodeon eTicket (£25) you can only ride in Nickelodeon Land. Please note: Nickelodeon Land closes an hour before the rest of the park.
Opening times:
Roughly from March to the end of November, plus Christmas events. Usually from 10 or 11 am to between 5 pm and 6 pm, and late on some summer days.
Tickets:
An All You Can Ride eTicket costs from £29 per person online (as of November 2026). The price varies by day.
Location and parking:
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ. Parking costs from £15 per day at the East or West Car Park.
Food, shops and accommodation
The park is completely cashless: you pay by card or exchange cash for a prepaid card. You can eat at the Big Pizza Kitchen (unlimited pizza and pasta), at Coasters Bar and Restaurant with views of ICON or at FY4 Fish & Chips, among others. You can buy souvenirs of Aviktas and the other rides at the PB Store.
The park has two hotels of its own. The Big Blue Hotel is next to the park and has family rooms with a bunk bed. The Boulevard Hotel on the seafront has 120 rooms and suites, with ICON right outside the door. When booking, look out for packages that include park tickets.
Travelling to Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool is on the west coast of England, north of Liverpool. For the UK you need a passport and an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). An ETA costs £20 per person, children included (as of November 2026).
- By car: the most convenient route is the overnight ferry from Rotterdam (Europoort) to Hull. From Hull it takes about 2.5 hours to drive to Blackpool. Via Calais and the Eurotunnel (about 4 hours from Utrecht to Calais, about 2 hours from Antwerp), allow about another 5.5 hours from Folkestone.
- By plane: according to the park, Manchester and Liverpool airports are about an hour's drive away.
- By train and tram: travel via Preston to the park's own station, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The tram stops right outside the entrance.
You can park in three car parks around the park. At the North Car Park you can book a space online.
Our tips:
- Book online in advance
- Start with the big coasters
- Bring a raincoat
Tips for your visit
Your ticket is cheapest online and you can change your date for free. After opening, head first to The Big One, ICON and Aviktas: that's where the longest queues form later in the day. You'll get soaked on Valhalla and the weather by the sea can turn quickly, so a poncho is no unnecessary luxury.
With Speedy Pass you queue virtually. Check the park's website for the price.