Blackpool Tower

The Blackpool Tower is a tourist attraction in the town of Blackpool , Lancashire , in the north of England ({{gbmapping|SD306360}}). The tower, 518.9ft (158 m) tall, was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris . It cost GBP £42,000 to construct, and it first opened to the public on 14 May 1894 .

Unlike the Eiffel Tower, it is not quite free-standing, its base is hidden by a building housing the Blackpool Tower circus . The top of the tower is accessed by two lifts. There are four viewing platforms open to the public, the lower of which is completely enclosed. These afford views of much of Lancashire , Winter Hill , southern Cumbria , North Wales and the Isle of Man , in addition to Blackpool and the rest of the Fylde peninsula . A further two platforms and the "crow's nest" are only accessible to staff. The enclosed lower platform contains a glass floor above the south-west leg that allows visitors to look down on the street below. The tower is topped by a flagpole, and normally flies the Union flag except during the illuminations when the flagpole is lit by nearly one hundred lamps. The tower is used as a transmission location by one local FM station -- RadioWave 96.5 and a variety of non-broadcast services. National and regional FM services do not use the tower, because inland locations provide sufficient coverage of Blackpool. The tower is normally painted dark red, but for its centenary in 1994 was painted gold.

From 6th May 1853 untill 2nd November 1962 Blackpool Central Station was located 10 minutes walk from Blackpool tower. In 1900 it was rebuilt with 14 platforms.

Blackpool Central station remained busy for all of its life but in 1964 to the surprise of most people it closed and the line was cut back to Blackpool South station the point at which the direct line joined the Lytham line. The direct line closed in 1967 and by the 1980's the Lytham line was reduced to a single track branch terminating at Blackpool South Station some distance from the town centre.

Blackpool is a popular seaside resort, and the tower, with its beachfront location, is the main attraction. The tower is lit during the annual illuminations , when the town and seafront are adorned with colourful displays of bulbs that stretch up and down the waterfront for several kilometres.

The complex houses the world famous Tower Ballroom and the equally famous 'Mighty Wurlitzer Organ ' where Reginald Dixon played for 40 years. The Wurlitzer is still played on a daily basis in the main holiday season.

It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers .

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