The Blackpool Illuminations is an annual lights festival held in the British seaside resort of Blackpool on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire. It’s the world's oldest free light show, attracting over three million visitors each year.
Keep reading to see how to get to Blackpool Illuminations by train.
How to get to Blackpool Illuminations by train
If you are planning to visit Blackpool Illuminations by train, first you need to decide which train station you want to arrive at.
There are two train stations in Blackpool, Blackpool North and Blackpool Central. Blackpool North is the main train station in Blackpool and is located in the city centre. Blackpool Central is a smaller station that is located closer to the seafront.
Once you have decided which station you want to arrive at, you need to check the train timetables. There are trains running to Blackpool from all over the UK, with the train from London to Blackpool North taking approximately two hours and 30 minutes.
When you arrive at Blackpool, you can walk to the Illuminations along the seafront. This walk should take less than 10 minutes.
What to do at the Blackpool Illuminations
The Illuminations are a six-mile-long display of lights that stretches along the seafront and are free to see and held every year from September to November. They are best enjoyed by strolling along the seafront, finding a place to stand and take in the incredible scenes.
Rather than find a spot on the seafront, some people like to take a ride on the Blackpool Tower Eye. This 500-foot-tall observation tower offers stunning views of the Illuminations.
Another way to see is via a boat trip, which operates along the River Wyre, which runs through Blackpool. These boat trips offer a unique perspective of the Illuminations as the colours and display reflect off the water.
While you’re in Blackpool, you can’t leave without going to Pleasure Beach, the theme park located on the seafront in Blackpool. The Pleasure Beach has roller coasters, carousels, and water rides.
The Illuminations end with a spectacular fireworks display, held every night from 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm. It’s a truly magical experience that is sure to leave you pretty impressed.
If you're looking for something colourful to do this autumn, be sure to add the Blackpool Illuminations to your list.
About the Blackpool Illuminations
The Blackpool Illuminations was first introduced in 1879 and has been running every year since (except during World War I and World War II). The display stretches for 6.2 miles (10 km) along the Promenade from Starr Gate at the south end of the town to Bispham in the north.
The Illuminations are made up of millions of lights, including festoons, lanterns, and illuminated tableaux. There are also illuminated trams, projection shows, and other special effects. The display is constantly innovating, with new features added each year.
Ways to save on your train ticket to Blackpool Illuminations
If you’re looking to save some extra money on your train ticket to Blackpool, there are a number of ways you can do so.
You can set up Advance Train Ticket Alerts to secure the lowest price ahead of time.
If you’re able to be flexible with your journey time, you can travel off-peak. This involves travelling between 10:30 and 14:30 or after 20:00 in the midweek, or any time on Friday or at the weekend.
For people booking train tickets as a family, you could also save with Family Tickets, child tickets for those aged under five, or a Family & Friends Railcard. These give discounts of between a third and 60%.
Get the app
Download the Avanti West Coast app to get the best fares, pick a window seat and be kept up-to-date with your journey.
You can make changes to your route, track your train, and buy tickets with your payment method of choice. It also allows you to store all your tickets in one place, with zero booking fees.
