Blackpool is a popular seaside resort area on the Irish Coast of England that’s home to many beautiful beaches. Families and couples alike can enjoy sunbathing, bathing and seaside amusements on a variety of beaches that are perfect for a coastal vacation.

You’ll find it all near Blackpool, from family-focused beaches with ice cream shops and play neighborhoods to bustling resort neighborhoods with Victorian piers, seafront arcades and a variety of activities. Whether you want a quiet beach trip or fun for the whole family, take a look at the 8 best beaches around Blackpool to plan your trip.

  • 1

    Blackpool Beach

    See the sights at the namesake beach

    Blackpool Beach
    • Couples
    • Families

    Blackpool Beach is a beach resort that’s fun for families and couples. Located under 10 minutes from the city centre, the beach has calm waters for bathing, plenty of spots for beach games and building sandcastles and a vast expanse of sand for sunbathing and picnicking.

    As a seaside resort area, Blackpool Beach is close to many amenities, including Victorian piers, art installations, arcades, entertainment venues, snack shops and more. You could see many iconic attractions, such as the Spanish Steps on the headland that lead to the sea.

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  • 2

    Lytham St. Annes Beach

    Enjoy activities on the Victorian pier

    Lytham St. Annes Beach
    • Couples
    • Families

    Lytham St Annes Beach is a lovely spot with golden sand for sunbathing, plenty of space to build sandcastles and calm waters for kids to swim and play. Located about 17 minutes from the city centre, this charming little beach is in the seaside town of Lytham, near the mudflats of the Ribble Estuary.

    You’ll find plenty of seaside amusements and recreation neighborhoods nearby, such as ice cream shops, Victorian piers, picturesque gardens and a boating lake. Another highlight is a center that offers donkey rides.

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  • 3

    Fleetwood Beach

    Relax in a former fishing port town

    Fleetwood Beach
    • Couples
    • Families

    Fleetwood Beach, once a thriving fishing port, is a picturesque beach with soft sand and dramatic dunes that shelter the area from winds. This quiet beach is located near the charming seaside town of Fleetwood, about 17 minutes from Blackpool.

    At low tide, the beach offers plenty of space for beach games, kite flying and sunbathing. Visitors also enjoy spending the morning watching the sunrise or seeing the views across Morecambe Bay. Dogs are allowed on the beach most of the year, so you can bring your pet for some fun in the dunes.

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  • 4

    Morecambe Beach

    Have a family vacation in a popular resort spot

    Morecambe Beach
    • Couples
    • Families

    Morecambe Beach is a seaside resort area with arcades and shops on the seafront. Located within Morecambe, about 50 minutes from Blackpool, the beach has all the traditional seaside amenities, such as fish and chips shops, ice cream shops and amusement spots for families.

    The beach has gorgeous scenery, including art installations along the beachfront, art-deco architecture and a stone jetty with benches and ornamental birds. If you have the kids, you'll find games and amusements all along the shoreline for a memorable experience.

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  • 5

    Bispham Beach

    Sunbathe and take in the views of the Irish Sea

    Bispham Beach
    • Couples
    • Families

    Bispham Beach is a quiet beach that's known for its gently sloping sand and quiet waters for wading and bathing. Located between Blackpool North Shore and Cleveleys, about 8 minutes from the city centre, Bispham Beach offers gorgeous views and a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    One of the prominent features of Bispham Beach is ‘The Cliffs’, a set of man-made sea defenses that offer panoramic views of the Irish Sea. You’ll also find upper and lower promenades for walking and cycling along the coast and dog-friendly neighborhoods.

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  • 6

    Cleveleys Beach

    Have fun on the sand with the kids and the dog

    Cleveleys Beach
    • Couples
    • Families

    Cleveleys Beach is a wide, sandy beach that's popular for building sandcastles, flying kites, watching wildlife, and viewing sunsets. Located about 5 miles north of Blackpool in Cleveleys, Cleveleys Beach offers a small area of beach that is dog friendly for off-leash pets.

    Near the beach, you’ll find a promenade to take in the sights by the water. You could also visit Jubilee Gardens, a seafront park area with a skate park, children’s play area, local community events and athletic courts.

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  • 7

    St Annes – North

    Try a new beach activity on the Fylde coastline

    St Annes – North
    • Couples
    • Families

    St Annes – North is a sandy beach with dramatic dunes on the Fylde coastline and features golden sand and a low tide that’s perfect for children to wade and swim. Located between Lytham St Annes and Blackpool, about 15 minutes from the Blackpool city centre, the beach is loved by families who visit to build sandcastles, fly kites and play beach games.

    Another highlight of visiting the beach is the Victorian pier, which has a boating lake, a promenade and plenty of nearby shops and restaurants. You can hire giant inflatable balls to walk on the water and experience something different on your trip.

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    photo by Gerald England (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Half Moon Bay

    Explore nearby archeological sites

    • Couples
    • Families

    Half Moon Bay is a beautiful beach with plenty to see and do and is a popular spot for photography and sunset viewing. The beach is backed by rocks and grassy hills, but at low tide, you can lay on a wide expanse of sand and explore mudflats.

    Located on the edge of the Heysham Harbor, about an hour from Blackpool, Half Moon Bay offers views of Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland fells. Other highlights include the archeological sites nearby, some of which date back to the Stone Age.

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