Blackpool is one of the most popular destinations when people visit Lancashire. When you think about the things to do in Blackpool, it is often the nightlife and family attractions that will come to mind first. However, there are also plenty of things to do for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. These range from physical activities to attractions revolving around nature and places that all the family will enjoy. Here are some of the best outdoor activities in Blackpool to help you incorporate some outdoor activities into your Blackpool break.
Best Outdoor Activities in Blackpool
Enjoy the Activities at Stanley Park: One of the Best Outdoor Activities in Blackpool
One of the best things to do outdoors in Blackpool is visiting Stanley Park, which is one of Liz Loves Lancashire’s favourite things to do in the seaside resort. Enjoy various activities, including a boating lake, playgrounds, golf, sports facilities, and a café. Some of the activities are free, so it is potentially a cheap day out in Blackpool. You can simply stroll around the park to enjoy the greenery, landscaped areas, and statues.
- Address: West Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9HU
- Telephone: 01253 477477
See the Animals at Blackpool Zoo: A Top Outdoor activity in Blackpool for Families
A top outdoor attraction in Blackpool for families is Blackpool Zoo, another activity we love at Liz Loves Lancashire. The zoo is home to more than 1,350 animals that live in large habitats created to reflect the animals’ natural environments as much as possible. Blackpool Zoo is divided into themed areas, including Orangutan Outlook, Project Elephant, Old Elephant & Reptile House, Active Oceans, Giraffe Heights, Big Cats, Gorilla Mountain, Lemur Wood, Wallaby Walkabout, Wolf Ridge, Waders & Waddlers, Small Primate House, Children’s Farm, Flamingo Lake, and Semi-Nocturnal House. Other attractions include the Dinosaur Safari, playgrounds, a café, the play barn, and a miniature railway.
- Opening hours: 10 am to 3.45 pm, seven days a week
- Address: East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP
- Telephone: 01253 830830
Spend Time on the Beach: Free Outdoor Activity in Blackpool
If you are on a budget, then of the cheapest activities in Blackpool is to spend time on the beach. Blackpool beach runs all the way along the Lancashire seaside resort’s coastline. Use the beach to take a walk, sit in the sunshine, build sandcastles, or go on a donkey ride.
Try Some Watersports at Blackpool Wake Park: Outdoor Activities in Blackpool for Adrenaline Junkies
Adrenaline junkies and those who want to try a new activity might like to try the watersports at Blackpool Wake Park, which is just outside Blackpool. Although wakeboarding is the main activity, you can also enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding, and there is an inflatable aqua park. There is a holiday village of lodges on the lakeside, which is an alternative to staying in Blackpool hotels.
- Opening hours: Check out the Wake Park website for opening hours, as these vary throughout the year
- Address: Ream Hills Holiday Park, Mythop Road, Preston, PR4 3NB
- Telephone: 01253 836543
Play a Round at Stanley Park Golf: Play Golf in Blackpool
For golf enthusiasts visiting the area, the best place to play golf in Blackpool is at Stanley Park Golf, which is part of Stanley Park. Younger visitors can also enjoy mini golf and crazy golf at the park. Alternatively, head out to the golf courses at Lytham, Staining, Fleetwood, or Knott-End-On-Sea.
Explore Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve: One of the Best Outdoor Activities in Blackpool for Nature Lovers
Nature lovers who visit the area should go to Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is next to the Marton Mere Holiday Park. The reserve has various habitats, including open water, grassland, reed beds, scrub, and woodland. The reserve aims to promote conservation, peaceful recreation, and environmental education. Marton Mere is home to multiple bird species, butterflies, orchids, dragonflies, and bats.
- Address: Off Lawsons Road and East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY4 4XN
- Telephone: 01253 478478
Visit the Piers: Historical Attractions in Blackpool with Plenty of Entertainment
Blackpool’s historic piers are some of the resort’s best-known attractions other than Blackpool Tower. Blackpool has three piers: North Pier, Central Pier, and South Pier, which describe their position along the town’s coastline. You can walk from one pier to the next and enjoy a different activity at each location, as each pier offers something different in terms of entertainment. Examples of activities include live performances, arcades, exhibitions, and fairground rides. North Pier is one of the Grade II listed buildings in Blackpool.
Walk the Illuminations: One of Blackpool’s Most Famous Attractions
If you are in Blackpool in the winter months, then you should not go home until you have seen the Illuminations, which are on from the beginning of September to the beginning of January each year. However, it would be hard to miss the Illuminations if you are staying at a bed & breakfast or hotel in Blackpool, as the lights spectacle runs the full length of the promenade from Bispham to South Shore. On a rainy day, or if it is too far for you to walk, you can see the Illuminations from the comfort of a tram. It is one of the best outdoor activities in Blackpool at night.
See the Models at the Model Village & Gardens: Excellent for Younger Children
Strictly speaking, the Model Village & Gardens is part of Stanley Park. However, as it is at the rear of the park, has a separate entrance, and there is an entrance fee, it is generally considered a separate attraction. It is an interesting attraction to visit, with handmade models of local and international landmarks and mini villages. The model village is particularly fascinating for younger children.
Play Adventure Golf with the Kids: Family Fun in Blackpool
A fun and relatively cheap activity in Blackpool for people of all ages to enjoy is playing adventure golf. There are several places where you can play the fun game in Blackpool, and one of the best is Adventure Golf, which is on the promenade in the South Shore area of Blackpool.
Walk the Golden Mile: See Some of Blackpool’s Famous Attractions
Blackpool is famous for the Golden Mile, which is a stretch of the town’s promenade that is home to some of the resort’s best-known attractions. Along the Golden Mile, you will see multiple arcades and Blackpool restaurants, plus attractions such as Madame Tussaud’s, Blackpool Tower, the piers, the Sea Life Centre, and much more. Walking the Golden Mile will help you decide which attractions you want to visit and where you want to eat during your stay.
Take a Landau Ride Along the Prom: An Alternative Way to See the Sights
An alternative way to see the sights in Blackpool is to take a Landau ride, which is a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. They vary from open-topped carriages to princess-themed pink carriages. The landau driver will take you along Blackpool’s promenade and then back to your starting point.
Stroll Through Salisbury Woodland: An Often-Missed Outdoor Activity in Blackpool
Salisbury Woodland is a natural area that lies between and connects Stanley Park and Blackpool Zoo. It was originally part of Stanley Park Golf Course, but the council later developed it as a woodland for everyone to enjoy, and it includes gardens and an arboretum.
Visit Blackpool’s Smaller Parks: Free Outdoor Activities in Blackpool
There are many smaller parks in Blackpool that are fantastic places to take a walk, enjoy a picnic, take the children to play, or get away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Some local parks are Kingscote Park, Moor Park, George Bancroft Park, Anchorsholme Park, and Watson Road Park.
Explore the Surrounding Area: Other Locations Locally
There are plenty more outdoor activities near Blackpool if you head out and explore the surrounding area. Take the tram to enjoy the things to do in Fleetwood or Cleveleys, or hop on the train to spend a day enjoying the things to do in Lancaster or Preston. You can spend time outdoors in each of these locations and then dine in some fantastic restaurants.
Have you done any of these outdoor activities in Blackpool and the surrounding area? Let us know some of the attractions you have enjoyed.
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