Blackpool Ballroom

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is one of those places where it doesn't matter if you are a dancer or not, it's an amazing experience just being there. It’s not just a dance hall, it’s an experience that makes you feel part of something timeless.

💃 The Blackpool Tower Ballroom: A Dance with History

Step inside the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, and you’re instantly transported to another era. The chandeliers sparkle, the gilded balconies curve elegantly around the room, and the polished wooden floor seems to whisper stories of dancers that have glided across it's boards. It’s no wonder this ballroom has become a bucket-list stop for visitors to Blackpool. I lost track of time just by looking up and admiring the beautiful architecture.

🕰️ A Touch of History

• The original ballroom opened in August 1894, the same year the Tower itself was unveiled.

• The current design was created by Frank Matcham, one of Britain’s most celebrated theatre architects, who gave the ballroom its ornate, theatrical flair.

• The dance floor is a marvel in itself, made up of 30,602 individual blocks of mahogany, oak, and walnut, carefully arranged to create a surface that’s perfect for gliding across.

• Above the stage, you’ll spot a Shakespearean inscription: “Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear” a nod to the ballroom’s blend of art and performance.

• The ballroom has hosted countless events, from local dances to the dazzling Strictly Come Dancing specials, cementing its place in British pop culture.

🎶 The Sound of the Wurlitzer

No visit is complete without hearing the famous Wurlitzer organ that we were glad to see was being used the day that we visited. Since 1975, organist Phil Kelsall has been filling the ballroom with music, creating the soundtrack for dancers twirling across the floor. The sound is rich, nostalgic, and instantly makes you want to join in.

🌟 Why Tourists Love It

Visiting the ballroom isn’t just about watching, you can:

• Sit back with tea and cake while the organ plays because you can book to afternoon tea and sit on either the blue or red tables that are at the sides of the dance floor. If you don't want to have afternoon tea, there is a counter to get hot drinks and snacks.

• Step onto the floor yourself and try a waltz or foxtrot. I really enjoyed sitting and watching people dancing, some were dressed up very smartly or dressed up like they were about to enter a dance competition. Then there were some who were in jeans and t-shirts, but I loved that no one cared who was wearing what, they were all there to dance.

• Simply soak up the atmosphere, imagining the generations who’ve danced here before. Which is what we did, we watched the dancers, listened to the music and just took in the room.

It’s casual, welcoming, and surprisingly affordable, making it a perfect stop whether you’re a dance enthusiast or just curious about Blackpool’s heritage.

🎫Tickets

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is another attraction on the Merlin Attraction Pass so the ease of booking is a really big bonus.