Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours are a brilliant way to take in the sights and the Lights. Travel the promenade and enjoy an iconic, traditional part of Blackpool.

With Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours you can enjoy an experience like no other. Take a ride along the world famous Blackpool Tramway aboard a piece of moving history along the fantastic seafront of this world famous seaside resort.

Many of these original trams are over 80 years old – and it’s a unique experience. Blackpool is the only place in the UK where you can ride a Heritage Tram which is still travelling on the line it was originally built for!

All of the heritage Tramcars, are, by definition, old! They need tender loving care, maintenance, and in many cases restoration.

Many of them have been moved to different places, joined different collections and had different owners. There are opportunities to bring some of them back home, restore them and, one by one, add them to the operational fleet.

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours

Thanks to a fleet of volunteer drivers, the Heritage Trams are out on the promenade throughout much of the year. All tours must be pre-booked. This means you can now guarantee a seat on Promenade, Coastal and of course the famous Illumination Tours!

• Book your seat online now at blackpoolheritage.com to avoid any disappointment!

Different trams from the Heritage fleet operate Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours on different days. On beautiful sunny days the open-top tram cars come out too!

Four different types of tour are available:

The Promenade Tour

• Boards ONLY at North Pier & Tower tram stop
• One hour round trip with return travel from North Pier – taking in The Cabin, Bispham and Pleasure Beach tram stops.
• Your booking is for a specific tour date and time. Please arrive at our North Pier & Tower (northbound) Heritage Tram stop at least 10 minutes before the departure time. No refunds or reschedules for missed departures.
• Book your Promenade Tour here

The Coastal Tour

• A full two hour tour from Blackpool North Pier to Fleetwood, with a 40 minute stop off at Fleetwood.
• Boards ONLY at North Pier & Tower tram stop
• Return travel from North Pier – taking in The Cabin, Bispham and Cleveleys tram stops – before arriving in Fleetwood.
• Your booking is for a specific tour date and time. Please arrive at our North Pier & Tower (northbound) Heritage Tram stop at least 10 minutes before the departure time. No refunds or reschedules for missed departures.
• Book your Coastal Tour here

The Illuminations Tour

• THE Best way to see the Lights!
• Boards ONLY at the Pleasure Beach tram stop
• One hour round trip with return travel between Pleasure Beach and Bispham, taking in the North Pier and Cabin tram stops.
• Your booking is for a specific tour date and time. Please arrive at the Pleasure Beach Heritage Tram stop at least 10 minutes before the departure time. No refunds or reschedules for missed departures.
• Book your Illuminations Tour here

Themed Tours

• Themed Tours change throughout the year, to include various seasonal treats. From Real Ale to Fish and Chips, Afternoon Tea to Ghost Tours, there’s a variety to choose from.
• Book a Themed Tour here

Did you know? Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours consistently gets excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, including a 2022 Travellers’ Choice Award.

Dogs on Heritage Trams

Well behaved dogs are welcome and travel FREE on Heritage Trams.

Dogs should be comfortable in a busy environment when travelling on Illuminations tours as they are all usually full.

Doggies do have to buy a ticket on the modern trams.

Take a look at the Heritage Tram Fleet

These are just some of the Blackpool Heritage Trams which you’ll see travelling along the promenade. Which one is your favourite?

Preserving History

The harsh winds and salty air plays havoc with the trams metalwork. They need constant maintenance and repairs to maintain their immaculate good looks. And before returning to service, each Heritage Tram is lovingly restored in the workshops at the Rigby Road Depot. Look at this tram undergoing full refurbishment –

Tramtown Blackpool – a new visitor attraction

The tram depot at Rigby Road in which Tramtown is located is one of only three remaining working locations in the world. It features around 40 trams, some up to 120 years old. And in 2023 ambitious plans begin to transform into a brand new museum.

It’s wonderful news! Blackpool Tramtown, the heritage tram depot, has secured £800,000 to start work on Phase One of a new four-phase vision to create a brand new visitor attraction for the town.

We went along to the launch event on Saturday 25 February, to hear about the exciting Four Phase Plans –

Bryan Lindop is head of heritage at Blackpool Transport. He said “Replacing our roof is the first step on a journey that will secure the future for our famous trams in their rightful home. It underpins our strategy to develop a long-term vision for a visitor attraction. The roof is the most expensive single item on our To Do List. And it’s also the most essential to keep out the elements, protect the fleet and make the remaining repairs less onerous.

“The current building is in vital need of renovation, but houses a fleet of more than 35 vintage trams. First of all, the roof needs replacing to stop water from coming in. Then the building needs regenerating, to give better structural integrity and protect the trams from the torrent of Fylde Coast wind and rain.”

The next step is to raise £70,000 for purpose-built doors to keep the wind and rain out of the facility. Can you help?

Keeping the Heritage Trams on the Tracks!

Until recent years there wasn’t a long-term intention for the transport operator to continue running Blackpool’s Heritage Trams. Renovation of the tramway and introduction of modern, light rail trams in 2012 replaced the operation of the old trams.

It’s only the dedication of volunteers and collaborative working with partners across the resort that’s enabled them to continue to run, delighting residents and visitors to Blackpool’s seafront.

Heritage Wedding Transport

Whether you’re planning a wedding or civil partnership, a Heritage Tram or Bus would be a talking point for years to come.

And, there’s an exclusive tram stop right outside the Wedding Chapel on the promenade!

It’s a personal service, tailored to meet your requirements. Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours will put a bespoke package together to make your day one to remember. At least one months notice is required, and a non-refundable deposit.

Heritage Trams are also available to hire for Special Days, Corporate Events and Private Illuminations Tours.

Just get in touch with Emma on 01253 209521 or email heritage.trams@blackpooltransport.com – and please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!

Queen’s Award for Heritage Trams

In June 2020, Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, part of Blackpool Transport Services, was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It’s the highest award that a UK voluntary group can receive.

The volunteers who operate Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours enable the protection, conservation and operation of a unique fleet of vintage tramcars on the tramway for which they were built. Their work widens public access to a rich part of the nation’s heritage. They’re also:

• developing a wide variety of skills,
• creating a major contribution to the welfare of their local community
• and fulfilling the purposes of wellbeing, learning and education.

Did you know? That Blackpool is one of only two tramways in the world to operate double-deck trams?

Remarkable Volunteers

Head of Heritage, Bryan Lindop says: “I’ve worked with this remarkable group of volunteers for over 5 years. It fills me with great pride to see them achieve this pinnacle of national recognition. A lot of dedication, commitment, sheer grit and determination is needed to maintain their high standard of excellence.

“Volunteers, the public and the heritage fans come here to benefit from the feel good factor the trams create. They’re inspiring new generations to cherish and appreciate their heritage; to participate in something culturally unique and life affirming. By doing so, they’re ensuring that future generations will be able to continue to enjoy this inspiring public amenity.”

Well done to all of the team from Visit Fylde Coast.

Vintage Tram renamed ‘Reginald Dixon’ after Blackpool Tower Organist

Published August 2021

A historic Blackpool Tram has been named after Reginald Dixon. He was best known for his time spent as organist at the Blackpool Tower, holding the position in the famous Ballroom for 40 years.

Reg, as he was commonly known, was a household name during his years at the Blackpool Tower. Live broadcasts of his performances were aired each week during the summer season for many years on the BBC Light Programme, now Radio 2.

The renaming took place at 2pm on Friday 6^th August 2021. Reginald Dixon’s daughter, Jill Steel performed the honours, along with other members of the family. After the ceremony close to North Pier, an inaugural tram journey celebrated the occasion.

Blackpool is set to welcome a record number of visitors over the summer months. The Blackpool Heritage Tram team are acknowledging Reginald Dixon for his contribution to the promotion of Blackpool in times gone by. Reginald Dixons signature tune was ‘Oh I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside’ now synonymous with Blackpool and its rich entertainment history.

Reginald played the mighty Wurlitzer – which was built to his specification – for 40 years. He’s an icon of the famous ballroom to this day. He was much loved and admired for his talent and unique style of play. It’s a very fitting tribute in memory of this wonderful man.