by Nish Laverz

Created on: December 18, 2010   Last Updated: December 26, 2010

Towering over 518 Feet into the air Blackpool Tower is the most prominent landmark of the resort. On clear days it can be seen from as far away as Preston, Lancaster, Barrow-in-Furness, Manchester, Liverpool and Southport.

Early History

In the late 1870’s Dr Cockers’ Menagerie and Aquarium opened its doors. It was situated at the north end of the resort of Blackpool, England, where the tower now stands.

In 1889 Blackpool Mayor John Bickerstaffe visited The Paris Exhibition. When he returned after seeing the newly constructed Eiffel Tower he set out plans to build a similar structure in Blackpool.

On 19 February 1891 The Blackpool Tower company was registered.

Two Lancashire architects, James Maxwell and Charles Tuke, designed the tower and construction started with the the placing of a time casual and the laying of its foundation stone, on 29 September 1891. While the building work was carried out the Aquarium remained open to earn some revenue. It became the first attraction for visitors entering the tower, taking up most of the lower floor space. It is still the first attraction to visit and is full of interesting fish.

It took two years to build, cost £290,000 and it took five million bricks, 2,500 tonnes of iron and 93 tonnes of cast steel to build the tower and the building below.

By the time it opened its doors on the 14th May 1894 Maxwell and Tuke had died.

It was never painted in the early years and was badly corroded by the time it had been up 30 years. Plans were made to demolish the structure but it was saved and every piece of metal work replaced. So the tower we see today is not the original but the replacement. This renewing of the tower has paid off as its now over 100 and still drawing in the crowds.

Attractions

A few months after the tower opened the Tower Pavilion opened to the public. This was later replaced by the Tower Ballroom which is still in use today. It is home the the famous Wurlitzer organ.

Tower Circus

The Tower Circus has been entertaining the crowds since the tower opened in 1894. It is positioned between the tower structures four legs.

It was revamped in 1900 and the interior is still the same as it was then today.

The show involved animals untill 1990. It was after this season that the Circus nearly closed, but it survived and is still entertaining the crowds 115 years on.

It is famous for its Grand Finales with Dancing Fountains due to the pool of water set under the lowerable circus.

It is a must see show and you should make time for it during your visit. You can find out show times at the door.

Today the tower is home to a number of attractions as well as the Aquarium, Ballroom and the Circus. These include:

Restaurant 1894

This replaced The Hornpipe Galley in 2008

Jungle Jim’s Towering Adventureland

This is a new interactive play area that has recently replaced the original Jungle Jim’s area. It consists of a play area based on the idea of a lost city where children can search for hidden treasure while tackling a series of adventures.

Jurassic Walk

This attraction includes a walk through landscape based around Dinosaurs and a 3D cinema.

Charlie Cairoli Exhibition

Tower Top and the Walk of Faith

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