History

Looking For A Blackpool Film Location – Documentaries, Motion Picture, and TV

6 min read

History

6 min read

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Looking for a Blackpool Film Location for that next big blockbuster or TV campaign?

Throughout the years, Blackpool has had its fair share of filmmakers coming here to create their films. From as early as 1929, with The Three Kings, to 2016s Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, the seaside resort has a charm that brings people in. Within Blackpool, a few choice locations stick out that appeal to tourists as much as they to directors.

 

Blackpool film locations that get the most attention

 

TV Film Location – Blackpool Tower

Standing at 518 feet and 9 inches, Blackpool Tower is the most iconic landmark in Blackpool. It was completed in 1984, a year after its architects, James Maxwell and Charles Tuke, died. With a design praised for its forward thinking, the tower sways slightly with the wind that often comes at the coast. It also accommodates for an unlikely collapse, falling into the Irish Sea instead of the surrounding buildings. On a clear day, due to its impressive scale, the tower is visible from Wales and the Lake District.

There’s no doubt of something special about this Grade I listed structure.

 

 

The Tower has been used as the setting for the finale in thriller Forbidden (1949).

It has also been used for a chase scene in The Harry Hill Movie (2013). Most recently the planned Sony blockbuster Cinderella with James Corden and Camila Cabello.

 

 

TV Film Location – Blackpool Grand Theatre

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre has been used for many filming shoots from National Lottery adverts, Comic star documentaries, drama series and not forgetting Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow filmed in Blackpool – Series 2.

Learn more about the story of Blackpool and the Grand Theatre and it’s history and architect Frank Matcham.

 

 

TV Film Location – Blackpool Tower Ballroom

The Tower also boasts many attractions besides going up to see the breathtaking view at the Blackpool Tower Eye. There’s a stunning Ballroom, designed by Frank Matcham (who also designed the Blackpool Grand Theatre in the same year). Within, there are 30,602 individual pieces of mahogany, oak and walnut as well as an impressive display of intricate, elegant architecture.

Home of the renowned Wurlitzer organ, this enchanting room has been shown in the 1996 Japanese film Shall We Dance? and of course Strictly Come Dancing.

 

TV Film Locations – Blackpool Tower Circus

At the foot of the Tower is a marvellous circus. First opened in May 1984, its current design is also by Frank Matcham. With each season, a new production is performed with a complete overhaul of the props, acts and costumes.

Films such as Funny Bones (1995) and Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (2016) have both featured scenes at the Blackpool Tower Circus. As well as that, the British-German silent drama, The Three Kings (1929), also features a circus in Blackpool.

 

 

TV Film Location – Pleasure Beach

Located along the Fylde Coast, Pleasure Beach is one of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions. With a total of 10 roller coasters, it holds the record for the most roller coasters of any park in the UK. One such rollercoaster is the ‘Big One’ and it holds the record for the tallest roller coaster in the UK. Pleasure Beach is also the home of Europe’s first ever fully inverting steel rollercoaster, Revolution.

Impressive as it is entertaining, this family friendly amusement park has also been the setting in The Parole Officer (2001) and Hindle Wakes (1931).

 

 

TV Film Location – Fylde Coast

Much of Blackpool’s beauty lies along the Fylde coast that runs all along the West side of the town. Within it are the Blackpool film locations mentioned above. The Fylde Coast also holds the three Piers (North, South and Central) with the North Pier being used in Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (2016). There’s also the idyllic seafront with holds a stunning view of the Irish Sea. The Danish-Norweigan-Swedish film Sista dansen (1993) was shot there.

 

 

There is also the Blackpool Illuminations, an annual Lights festival founded in 1879. The Festival runs along the Fylde Coast in Blackpool, from Starr Gate to the North most town of Bispham. The Illuminations run for sixty-six days and nowadays only use sustainable energy. The festival is wonderful to experience as boats, buildings and cars are illuminated with various changing displays.

The 1993 Comedy-Drama film, Bhaji on the Beach, is set during a day out at the Blackpool Illuminations.

 

Blackpool is an incredible town with so many activities and places of interests – Why not also see our recommendations for the best places to stay, best places to eat and of course visit.

 

Blackpool Grand Theatre

Take a look at what’s on at Blackpool Grand Theatre this Autumn / Winter 20/21

 

Blackpool Grand set out a COVID-Community Communication Programme (CCCP) during the Coronavirus pandemic. Our aims were simple, to CONNECT, COMFORT and UPLIFT. We would Connect people by offering tutorials on communication tools like Zoom and conduct community face-to-face meetings (book readings, youth groups and more). Comfort through stories of heritage, memories and storytelling, and to Uplift visitors spirits through laughter and exercise. Please do enjoy and if you can afford to donate please do.

 

The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it’s possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice around COVID-19, visit the World Health Organisation. If you’re in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

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