Fleetwood
Fleetwood is also famous as the last town in England to be served by trams which ran down the main street, Lord Street. This, of course, was before the re-introduction of urban light
railways in cities like Manchester. The tramway runs from the southern boundary of
Blackpool, Starr Gate, to the ferry terminal in Fleetwood, formerly the site of a British
Railways station and still, in summer the ferry wharf for ships to the Isle Of Man This
tramway was the first in Great Britain to be electrified in 1885.
Moving south down the coast, past Fleetwood Pier and Marine Pavilion we now come to
Rossall. Here lies the former residence of the Heskeths of Fleetwood, one of whom during
the early nineteenth century had the plans for the present town of Fleetwood drawn up.
Fleetwood was the first planned town in England with the main streets radiating from the
Mount. This former home, since rebuilt, is now a famous school, Rossall, for both day and
boarding pupils.
Our next stop on the journey south is the town of Cleveleys. The main road in Cleveleys,
Victoria Road, starts at the promenade and runs inland through the busy shopping centre,
crossing the Blackpool to Fleetwood tramway to Thornton. Cleveleys, as with all the other towns on the coast, relies on tourism and the varied shops
towards the promenade are geared to this aim.
From Cleveleys we travel south again passing the areas of Anchorsholme, Little Bispham
and Norbreck before reaching Bispham. Bispham, mentioned in the Domesday Book has a
very old parish church, All Hallows. The site is much older than the churches within
Blackpool and this was the mother church for the area. It was re built in1773 and again in
1883. Once again there is a thriving shopping area, Red Bank Road which caters, during the summer, for the tourists with hotels, restaurants and cafeterias.
In autumn the main road is used at night by many vehicles making their way to the
promenade to join the thousands of people enjoying what must be one of the best free
shows in England, Blackpool Illuminations. These stretch from Starr Gate in the south to
Bispham. They shine from the end of August to the end of October so extending the holiday
season in this area. They can also be seen from the trams which run along the promenade.
From here south again to the centre of Blackpool. We pass many and varied hotels
overlooking the sea and then arrive at Talbot Square. Here lies the town hall and the first of
Blackpool's three piers originally built to receive ships for trips to Liverpool, Barrow in
Furness the Isle of Man and Southport. They also included theatres and other entertainments
for the visitors to pass their time away. The Pier at Talbot Square, known as North Pier, is
the only one to have a jetty remaining. It was also Blackpool's first pier erected in 1863.
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