Five Things You Did Not Know About Blackpool Tower
First built in 1894, today marks the 126th birthday of the famous Blackpool Tower.
Blackpool has always been one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations and each year the whole town is lit up for the world known Blackpool Illuminations.
Brush up on your Blackpool knowledge with five interesting facts about Blackpool Tower!
1. It stands at 518 feet and 9 inches tall
It’s a Grade One Listed Building and on clear days, the tower can be seen from as far away as Wales and the Lake District.
2. It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower
The Mayor of Blackpool, John Bickerstaff, visited Paris in 1889 during the Great Paris Exhibition and fell in love with the Eiffel Tower.
When he returned home he commissioned The Blackpool Tower to be built and even invested some of his own money.
3. It’s designed to fall into the sea
There were safety concerns about the tower due to the fact it's built with 2,500 tonnes of iron, five million bricks and is surrounded by buildings.
So the tower was designed in a way that if it was ever to fall over it would fall into the sea instead of onto buildings around it.
4. It’s made the big screen
It's had numerous film appearances including Tim Burton’s movie ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’. Filming for this took place in May 2015.
The Tower Ballroom also appears in each series of Strictly Come Dancing.
5. It's home to multiple attractions
The tower is home to several attractions including the elegant Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Dino Mini Golf, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Blackpool Tower circus which has been wowing audiences since 1894.
Want to see Blackpool Tower for yourself? Browse our Blackpool holiday deals now, or find out more about things to do in Blackpool.