10 Things to Do in Blackpool Off the Beaten Track

Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve is one of the most important sites in Blackpool, yet it's surprisingly not anywhere near the most popular. The reserve's offerings are less beach resort vibe than most of the town offers, but you can enjoy a unique adventure with a trip inside. 

Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so it's well-preserved and will stay that way for the foreseeable future. Inside, you'll find hundreds of plants and animals, which you can spot through convenient footpaths and bird hides.

The sand dunes are a preserved natural area around Blackpool that's truly a sight to behold. With massive dunes and soft sand, going for a walk through this area can be relaxing and peaceful, which is exactly what you might need after a night on the main beach. In addition to the tranquil atmosphere, you'll also find a diverse array of plants with over 200 species in total around the region. 

Some of the plants are fairly rare as well, so you may be seeing them for the first time. Travel during the summer, and you're sure to spot a lot of butterflies as well. Just make sure you stick to the designated walking paths to ensure the area is properly maintained.

Fishers Lane is a lovely bit of street in town that offers something you won't find elsewhere in Blackpool. This street is home to several dwellings that date back to the late 18th century, and even upgrading them with modern amenities hasn't taken away their historic charm. 

You'll find thatch roofs and a gable-end chimney stack on each cottage. They're designated Grade II buildings, but given that they're still private residences, you can't go inside. The surrounding area is nice and provides more than enough space to admire their dated, yet charming design.

The High Tide Organ is one of the most impressive sculptures along Blackpool's New Promenade. Not only is this unique tower-like structure pleasing to look at, but it's also functional. 

Designed to be a musical manifestation of the sea, the High Tide Organ uses the rising tide to play music as wave energy is harnessed and funnelled through a series of 18 organ pipes. Be sure to visit this monument about 2 or 3 hours before the peak high tide hits if you want to hear the clearest sounds.

The Captive Flying Machines is an amusement ride to garner interest in aviation. It's the work of Sir Hiram Maxim, who's known for quite a few inventions throughout his life, including the Maxim gun that saw extensive action in WWI. 

The Captive Flying Machines takes passengers in a circle through the air in model planes attached to a central rotating object with large support beams. While Maxim himself never saw this as more than a glorified merry-go-round, crowds have been delighting in its amusement for more than a century, and you can too. This may just be the oldest amusement ride in Europe that's still operational.

Yorkshire Fisheries is an excellent place to enjoy a meal in between your excursions through Blackpool's hidden gems. There are so many fish-and-chip shops in town that this one is easy to overlook, but you won't want to miss its quality offerings and impactful flavours. 

It's also the oldest chip shop in Blackpool, so you won't find anywhere else in town with more experience than the professionals here. Keep in mind that there's an extensive variety of fish on offer. Cod and haddock are standard offerings, but you'll also find salmon, halibut, tuna and even swordfish on the menu.

Coral Island is one of the most popular family attractions in Blackpool, but there's one aspect of it that goes unnoticed far too often. Inside this fun park, you'll find a robust arcade with new releases and retro favourites alike. 

If that's not enough, you'll also find virtual reality games that can transport you and the little ones into another world/ Take on the newest innovation in gaming, with crystal-clear graphics and an immersive environment that puts you right in the middle of the action.

Impact Blackpool offers outdoor activities for those who want to stay active instead of relaxing at the beach. You'll find courses suitable for shooting air rifles as well as archery events. There's even knife and axe throwing available. 

Games available here include outdoor laser tag and escape games, in which you and your group will have to put your wits to the test to make it out in the time allotted. There are quite a few scenarios available, so you have some options when it comes to deciding what kind of theme you want.

Little Marton Mill is a modest mill in Blackpool within a region that was formerly part of Marton. It dates back to 1838 making it one of the oldest mills in the region, but it hasn't actually ground any corn since 1928. 

Today, it stands as a grade II listed building that's open to visitors on Sundays. You can learn about its numerous features and how it was designed to grind corn back when it was fully operational. You can also learn more about the area's history as well as the construction and renovation process of this iconic mill.