Stanley Park, Blackpool

The Grade II-listed park, which opened in 1926, has been voted the best park in the UK on at least two occasions in recent years. 

Stretching across 390 acres the park offers a blend of architecture, horticulture and recreation. Known for its bandstand, boating lake and Italian gardens, this beautiful, tranquil place is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Blackpool seafront.

Free parking is available on the roadway from the park gates and in the carpark just beside our meeting place. 

To start our visit we will enjoy the Art Deco Café one of England’s finest examples of Art Deco design which attracts much interest from period enthusiasts. It is a unique, historic restaurant offering spectacular indoor and alfresco views of the park.

The park has four zones: the north and western formal gardens; the eastern area lake and woodland area; and the south stretch containing children’s play areas and sports facilities. 

Leaving the café, and crossing the carpark, beyond currently unused bowling greens, are the rose garden and remembrance gardens. These formal gardens are easy to miss but are well worth a visit. After leaving these gardens we return to the front of the café.

Directly in front of the building are steps leading towards the Italian Garden. Watch out for the two Medici lion statues, which provide a great photo opportunity. These are replicas, the originals being at Wellington College from whence they came to be in the park. Some years ago they were given back to the school in return for the replicas. As a compensation people who are Council Tax payers in Blackpool are entitled to a free tour of the college.

The Italian Garden, in the centre of the park has many beautiful flowerbeds and a fountain made from marble with four surrounding sea horses. 

To the right is the impressive Cocker Clock Tower – a memorial to Blackpool’s first Mayor, Dr William Cocker. The tower’s faces are aligned with the cardinal compass points and on the east and west faces are two bronze lion head drinking fountains. 

Moving on from the formal gardens we approach the boating lake with its amphitheatre surrounding the well-known bandstand, while across the boating lake we see ornamental bridges over the water.

Turning right at the bandstand will take walkers to the BMX track and skateboard/scooter park where one can capture spectacular (and not so amazing) tricks being practiced endlessly.

Turn away from the bandstand one can walk around the lake towards the woods at the east end of the lake. crossing the ornamental bridge to a lakeside path.

Stanley Park abounds in wildlife and its features appeal to the naturalist, the plant lover or those who want to enjoy the landscape. 

There is a heronry at the east end of the lake complex and the trees afford cover for bluebells at the right time of year. We will be walking in late April and we may be arriving at the best time. Also within this are there are native woodland birds and a colony of ring necked parakeets, though a recent outbreak of bird flu will have affected all species. There are bird feeders here that attract the local grey squirrels which mischievously steal the nuts.

This large and varied park affords participants the chance to exercise many of their photographic muscles; from landscape to nature, architecture to macro and flower to people subjects abound. Late April will see many of the aspects of the park at their best.

https://www.visitblackpool.com/detail/stanley-park-17396/