Showtown Blackpool
ENTRY
from £4.50
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Blackpool
What it’s like
A gallery-hopping museum of Blackpool's entertainment history, with baby and toddler sessions thrown in.
This one's about Blackpool's own story as a seaside entertainment town, told through interactive galleries you wander through at your own pace. There's no ride or big set-piece to head straight for, it's more a case of letting the exhibits pull your kids in as you go, which suits a family happy to browse rather than rush.
Under-14s need an adult with them throughout, and the Showtots sessions are a nice touch if you've got a baby or toddler, with themed activities like building sandcastles and puppet shows built in. Reckon on at least an hour and a half to get round properly, more if your kids get stuck into everything.
Tickets are £9.50 for an adult and £4.50 for a child, or £17.50 for a family ticket, and they're non-refundable, so a change of plan means transferring your slot rather than getting your money back. Booking's genuinely worth doing here, since you're given a 30-minute arrival window and they can't guarantee walk-ups a space if it's busy. Blackpool residents get in free but still have to book ahead and bring proof of address, which feels like a fair trade for a freebie.
There's no café on site, just snacks from the shop, so it's worth eating before or after rather than planning a meal around your visit. Access is step-free throughout with wheelchairs and walking frames to borrow, and there's a buggy park at reception if you'd rather not push one round the galleries. There's no car park attached either, but Houndshill and Central car parks are close by, and Blackpool North station is a ten-minute walk.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for families with babies through to school-age kids happy to explore galleries
- Booking
- Timed slots (30-minute windows)
- Parking
- No on-site parking. Nearest are Houndshill and Central car parks, pay on return/pay and display
- How long to allow
- At least 1 hour 30 minutes
- Pushchairs
- Allowed. Buggy park available at reception on first floor
- Wheelchairs
- Step-free access throughout. Wheelchairs and walking frames available to borrow
- Dogs
- Assistance animals always welcome
- Getting there by bus or train
- Blackpool North Train Station 0.7 miles away (10 min walk)
- Booking gives you a 30-minute arrival window, not an exact time, so you've got a bit of leeway
- Bring your e-ticket QR code on your phone or printed, that's how you get in
- Carers need to bring DLA or PIP proof and book a carer ticket type
- Assistance animals are welcome but must stay with you throughout
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9.50 for an adult, £4.50 for a child aged 4 to 15, or £17.50 for a family ticket.
Do we need to book in advance?
They really recommend it. You get a 30-minute arrival window, and without a booking they can't guarantee you'll get in even if space allows on the day.
Can we get a refund if plans change?
Tickets aren't refundable, but they'll transfer your booking to another time if you contact them before your original slot.
How long should we allow?
At least an hour and a half to get round properly. Longer if your kids want to linger at the exhibits.
Is there anything for babies and toddlers?
Showtots sessions run with themed activities like sandcastle building and puppet shows.
Can older kids come on their own?
No, under-14s need to be with an adult the whole time.
Is there food on site?
There's no café, just snacks from the gift shop.
Is there parking?
No car park on site. Houndshill Shopping Centre and Central car park are the nearest, both pay and display with disabled spaces, and Central gives blue badge holders three hours free.
Do Blackpool residents get in free?
If your council tax goes to Blackpool Council. You still need to book ahead and bring proof of address for every adult in the party.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Step-free throughout, with wheelchairs and walking frames to borrow and a buggy park at reception. There's also a Changing Places toilet.
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