The Victorians and Edwardians at Play by John Hannavy

Author:John Hannavy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Victorians and Edwardians at Play
ISBN: 9780747811947
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: 2011-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

PLEASURE BEACHES

There were already a number of well-established funfairs and pleasure beaches in America when the first ride on what would become Britain’s first pleasure beach opened in Blackpool in 1896. The idea of a pleasure beach in Blackpool, where adults could become children again, originated with Alderman George Bean, and he already had a vision for the complex when the first attraction was built. That first ride was the huge Ferris wheel, which, along with the famous tower, dominated the town’s skyline for many years. Blackpool Tower was only two years old when the big wheel opened, and the town’s sights were set firmly on becoming Britain’s number one holiday destination. By the time the two pictures opposite were taken, the town’s varied attractions were already becoming extremely popular.

Ferris wheels, water chutes, flying machines, helter skelters, roller coasters, and a host of other rides became synonymous with the Edwardian seaside holiday, appearing in resorts up and down the coasts. Some of them looked none too safe – the wooden roller coaster at Folkestone being a particularly rickety looking construction.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach still occupies the same site, and the complex has consistently been voted the most popular tourist attraction in Britain. It now has 145 rides including no fewer than five roller-coasters, and attracts over seven million visitors each year!

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