Fun in the Blackpool sun in years gone by

The national news this week broadcast scenes of packed-out Blackpool beaches, as there were reports the resort was basking in temperatures as high as Gibraltar.
A packed Blackpool beach in the early 1900sA packed Blackpool beach in the early 1900s
A packed Blackpool beach in the early 1900s

Seeing the crowded seafront will have brought back memories for older readers of some of the now legendary Blackpool heatwaves of the last century.

The summer of 1976 was one of the hottest, driest, and sunniest of the 20th century – in fact, since records began.

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Our photographer captured this Blackpool beach scene near Central Pier, that summer.

Thousands of beach lovers take to their deck chairs below Central Pier in 1965, when summer show headliners included Bob MonkhouseThousands of beach lovers take to their deck chairs below Central Pier in 1965, when summer show headliners included Bob Monkhouse
Thousands of beach lovers take to their deck chairs below Central Pier in 1965, when summer show headliners included Bob Monkhouse

The most crowded beach scene in our archives was actually photographed in the early 1900s.

There is barely a space left, with people all over the beach – and the Tower in the background. The beach is packed with people in Victorian dress. One imagines they would have got quite hot!

Perhaps the tide was almost in when our shot of Blackpool Promenade, just north of the Tower, was taken in the 1930s. There was no space left on the benches on the prom.

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And there was not a deck chair free in our classic picture of Blackpool Promenade on a Whit Monday in the 1960s. Can you spot the knotted handkerchief among the hordes enjoying an early summer siesta?

Blackpool Promenade 1958Blackpool Promenade 1958
Blackpool Promenade 1958

Thousands of beach lovers took to their deck chairs below Central Pier in our picture from 1965, when summer show headliners included Bob Monkhouse, Mike Yarwood and Neville King.

The Promenade was packed in 1958, with locals and holiday-makers enjoying the sunshine.

In more recent times, our photographer captured a view of the Promenade crowds and historical trams near Coral Island during the Tramway Centenary celebrations in 1985.