Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a family owned amusement park and resort situated along the Fylde coast in Blackpool. It is the most visited amusement park in the United Kingdom, and one of the top twenty most-visited amusement parks in the world with an estimate of 5.5 million visitors in 2007. The park is owned by the Thompson family.

It was founded in 1896 by Alderman William George Bean after he failed in his attempt to become an advertising man on New York’s Madison Avenue. He returned to the UK in 1897 and opened two separate amusement parks; one adjacent to Euston Road in Great Yarmouth and another in Blackpool, opposite the tram terminus. In 1903, Bean, along with businessman John Outhwaite, purchased 30 acres of land known as the “Watson Estate” which was used to expand the amusement park in Blackpool.

The first major attraction to open at Pleasure Beach was the “Hiram Maxim Captive Flying Machine” in 1904. The next attraction, a water ride similar to a Mill Chute was opened in 1905 under the name “The River Caves of the World.” The same year the name “Blackpool Pleasure Beach” was founded.

In 1923, land was reclaimed from the sea front. The park moved to its 44-acre current location above what became Watson Road, which was built under the Pleasure Beach in 1932. In 1929, Bean died of pneumonia leaving the park to his daughter, Lillian Bean, who was married to Leonard Thompson. They both took over the park business and together and the park came under full control of the Thompson family after the remaining Outhwaite family sold their share of the park.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has not one but several ghosts that reside in the world famous amusement park. The Ghost Train ride, which opened in 1930, is particularly haunted. People have reported to hear loud footsteps of clogs. A former ride operator (nicknamed “Cloggy”), always wore clogs. Cloggy died about 20 years ago, and he isn’t the only spirit which has been reported there.

Another spirit which haunts the pleasure beach is a woman within the arena. At the Star Pub there have been sightings of shadows and a male figure in the cellar, living accommodation and Morgan and Griffin Bars. He is said to bear a resemblance to Karl Mar. Five years ago two workmen claim to have spotted him. Four years ago a figure was seen at 3am walking through the bar before disappearing.

Other goings on include the moving of pictures on the walls of the first floor in the building, the sound of a woman singing, glasses and bottles being moved and lights being switched on and off – not to mention the disturbing black figure in the cellar. The ghost of a small female child, aged about nine, is said to have been seen at Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gift Shop. Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machines is the oldest ride at the park, built in 1904, and about three years ago an item moved itself overnight to a completely different spot.

Where to find Blackpool Pleasure Beach

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