Central Pier, Blackpool, pier in Blackpool, Blackpool, England, UK
Central Pier is an entertainment pier in Blackpool, England, with amusement rides, gaming arcades, a Ferris wheel, and food stalls built along a wooden deck over the sea. The structure runs out from the promenade and offers open views of the coastline on both sides.
Central Pier opened in 1868 and was originally designed for promenading and open-air dancing rather than the rides and amusements it holds today. Over the following century it was progressively fitted with new attractions as tastes changed and the leisure industry grew.
Central Pier is a familiar destination for day-trippers from northern England, many of whom have been visiting for generations as part of a seaside tradition. The large Ferris wheel at the far end is visible from the beach and serves as a recognizable marker of Blackpool's seaside character.
The pier sits directly on Blackpool's seafront promenade and is easy to reach on foot from the town center or beach. Crowds are noticeably heavier on weekends and school holidays, so a weekday visit tends to be more comfortable.
Central Pier is the middle of three piers in Blackpool, which is unusual since most seaside resorts have only one or two. The three piers are close enough together that you can clearly see the other two from any point along this one.
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