Blackpool Opera House, Winter Gardens, 97 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HW
About the Venue
Blackpool Opera House, part of the Winter Gardens complex, is one of the largest concert halls in Europe, seating 2,812. The current building dates from 1939, which replaced an earlier one built in 1889. It has been extensively refurbished in the past few years, with much of the original seating dismantled and re-upholstered, along with upgrades to bars and entrances throughout the Winter Gardens.
Situated in the heart of the famous seaside town, the Opera House is in a pedestrianised area with an open square in front of a church and surrounded by bars and restaurants. A couple of minute’s walk away is the seafront and the North Pier, with Central Pier only a short wander further along. Blackpool’s most famous landmark, its Tower, is close by and a must for a visit.
The seating in the Opera House is set over 3 levels, with stalls in 4 blocks sloping towards the back of the venue, then the Circle above and the Balcony (which looks pretty steep) at the top.
Getting There
Because of the planned Rail Strikes on 12/13 May, there are no trains running to Blackpool North station. You may be able to get the coach there, depending where you are travelling from.
National Express have a couple of coaches running from Chorlton Street in Manchester – check https://www.nationalexpress.com/en to book or for other routes.
Driving
Blackpool is at the end of the M55, which connects to the M6 at junction 32. From the M55, leave at Junction 4 and follow the A583 to the central area of Blackpool
Parking
There are a great number of places to park, with Blackpool being a tourist town.
The Winter Gardens website has a really useful parking guide here, with the details for those car parks and their postcodes below:
A multi-storey facility is available within the Houndshill Shopping Centre. This is approx 150m from the Coronation Street entrance (lift access to the main areas of the Winter Gardens building) or approx. 300m from the Church Street entrance (ground level access to the main building)- the postcode of this car-park is FY1 4NY. This is a pay-on-return car-park, with 700 well-lit spaces
Open air, ground level parking is also available on the corner of Adelaide Street and Alfred Street approx 200m from the Church Street entrance – the postcode of this car-park is FY1 4LA. This is a pay-&-display car-park.
Talbot Road Multi-Storey Car Park (FY1 3AU)
Located about a 10-minute walk from Winter Gardens Blackpool, Talbot Road Multi-Storey Car Park offers over 600 parking spaces, including accessible bays for Blue Badge holders. It provides secure parking with 24-hour CCTV monitoring, and the car park is open 24/7, making it suitable for events that run late into the night.
Located within a short 5-minute walk to Winter Gardens Blackpool, the Central Car Park is one of the most convenient options. With more than 600 spaces, including accessible parking for Blue Badge holders, it offers a hassle-free parking experience. It operates on a pay and display basis with varying rates depending on the duration of your stay.
Things To Do
Things to do? You need us to tell you? You’re in Blackpool FFS! Go and play in the arcades, walk along the piers, draw daisies on the beach, go for fish and chips, eat candy floss and find a pub or several.
You must go up Blackpool Tower if you haven’t before – there’s a glass floor for the very brave to stand on too – it costs £15 if you pre-book online
If you have the time and want to go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, pre-booked tickets for Friday 12th May are currently £36 for the day – book via the link above
Eat and Drink
Closest places to eat near to the venue are
Vintro Lounge, Church Street, opposite the entrance. Fabulous quirky lounge chain with an excellent menu and sofas and armchairs as well as traditional dining tables. Serving brunches, burgers, salads and tapas –
The Sea Fish and Chip Restaurant – Right by the venue, a fish and chip restaurant with alcove seating
Quilligans, Church Street, next to venue – café serving breakfasts, sandwiches, pasta, steaks, burgers and toasties
There is a Nando’s close by, as well as Costa, Greggs, Pizza Hut and Harry Ramsden’s have a fish and chip restaurant on the front a few minutes’ walk away.
Nearest large pub is the Wetherspoons Albert and the Lion, on the south side of the Tower. There is a Greene King pub, The Counting House, at Talbot Square opposite the North Pier and a Yates’s on Market Street, between Church St and North Pier.
James Fanzone 
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