"I think the 1960s epitomises the era of the British holiday" 47 retro pics of Blackpool in 1963 and 1964

Published 28th Jun 2024, 13:24 BST

From the Beatles playing at the ABC and Miss Blackpool to Bonfire Night safety, icy pitches, streets and Blackpool under construction, these brilliant picures rewind to 1963 and 1964.

The 1960s is well defined as the decade when the British holiday season saw the country’s seaside resorts boom and nowhere moreso than right here in Blackpool. They were special times.

ICYMI: 25 memorable lost retro scenes of Blackpool pubs The Hop Inn and Pump and Truncheon

45 amazing retro pictures taken at Blackpool schools between 2003 and 2005

When the ABC theatre , Church Street was opened on May 31, 1963, Cliff Richard and The Shadows arrived on the Wild West Train tram, It was the last time a tram ran in Church Street

1. Blackpool 1963 and 1964

When the ABC theatre , Church Street was opened on May 31, 1963, Cliff Richard and The Shadows arrived on the Wild West Train tram, It was the last time a tram ran in Church Street | National World

Dickson Road loooking towards Talbot Road, showing The Talbot Hotel on the far right, Blackpool North railway station can be seen behind the tram. The canopy of the Odeon Cinema can be seen on the far left.

2. Blackpool 1963 and 1964

Dickson Road loooking towards Talbot Road, showing The Talbot Hotel on the far right, Blackpool North railway station can be seen behind the tram. The canopy of the Odeon Cinema can be seen on the far left. | library

Duke of Edinburgh with some of the worlds best golfers at Blackpool North Shore in 1963

3. Blackpool 1963 and 1964

Duke of Edinburgh with some of the worlds best golfers at Blackpool North Shore in 1963 | National World

Central Station in 1963

4. Blackpool 1963 and 1964

Central Station in 1963 | library

Our Gracie is the greeting over Blackpool Town Hall steps as the Rochdale entertainer, by then living on the isle of Capri, launched the 1964 Illuminations

5. Blackpool 1963 and 1964

Our Gracie is the greeting over Blackpool Town Hall steps as the Rochdale entertainer, by then living on the isle of Capri, launched the 1964 Illuminations | National World

An interior view of the new £27,000 County branch library in Blackpool Old Rd, Poulton. A young Poulton resident gets a preview

6. Blackpool 1963 and 1964

An interior view of the new £27,000 County branch library in Blackpool Old Rd, Poulton. A young Poulton resident gets a preview | National World

first person Blackpool Pubs Schools

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.