Blackpool Winter Gardens

It’s one of the town’s original entertainment venues. Blackpool Winter Gardens is a beautiful, Victorian building, open to the public most days of the week (unless there’s a closed event taking place inside). Why don’t you pop inside and take a look around the Floral Hall and public spaces?

Inside Blackpool Winter Gardens…

Originally built as the Blackpool Winter Garden – an indoor space to be enjoyed in all weathers – it’s still got that original, old fashioned charm! The Winter Gardens is an incredible building with a long history. There’s much more about the history of the Winter Gardens here. But it first opened on 11 July 1878 and since then has grown and developed as an entertainment complex which mirrors the growth of the seaside town of Blackpool. In the centre of the complex, you can still see the original building which the whole of the Winter Gardens was built around.

Meet Morecambe and Wise in the Church Street entrance. Marvel at the dome and arched glass ceiling. Pop into the Mazzei Cafe or Victoria Bar for refreshments. If you want to see even more, pre-book a venue tour!

Floral Hall

Enter into the Blackpool Winter Gardens via Church Street and step into the beautiful Floral Hall. This attractive indoor space links the main entertainment areas, under a huge domed glass roof. In recent years it’s been sympathetically restored, back to its original splendour. Repairing and restoring this huge building is a never ending job – find out more here.

Opera House Theatre

New, upcoming bands have played in the Opera House and old favourites, such as Jane McDonald and Daniel O’Donnell who continue to return. And some of the world’s best bands, musical theatres productions, and more. The 2,900 capacity Opera House is the largest theatre stage outside London.

Empress Ballroom

The magnificent Empress Ballroom is just as comfortable staging the World Dance Championships each year as it is hosting some of the world’s best rock and pop acts in concert.

Spanish Hall

The Spanish Hall is one of the new areas opened back on 28 May 1931. The impressive ‘wooden’ panelling on the walls and ceiling is actually plasterwork, designed by Andrew Mazzei.

The Spanish Hall is one of a suite of interconnected rooms on the first floor, with space for all kinds of meetings events and functions. It’s a stunning space, restored in recent years.

Baronial Hall

This is yet another distinct space inside the huge entertainment complex.

Horseshoe and Pavilion Theatre

The Pavilion Theatre was built in 1896 with 1933 seats, briefly being converted into the Palm Court Restaurant in 1986. Today it’s used on infrequent occasions.

The Old Vic Bar

Find this traditional British Bar at the centre of the venue, serving a wide range of drinks. With live entertainment throughout selected days, featuring some of the UK’s best cabaret artists. Free entry for the whole family, no booking required. Seasonally: Enjoy live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays.

Olympia Exhibition Hall

At 2,600 sq metre this huge space is suitable for all manner of events, from craft markets to bands.

Built on the site of the original Great Wheel, The Olympia opened in June 1930, themed on a Moorish village. It’s had all kinds of uses: an indoor funfair followed by Professor Peabody’s Play Place. Car boot sales and temporary exhibitions. Including Carnesky’s Ghost Train and the more recent Illuminasia display. Today it’s another indoor multi-purpose space, used for all kinds of events.

Blackpool Winter Gardens Conference Centre

The Winter Gardens is a popular venue for large events and conferences of all kinds. From trade unions to political parties, to ballroom dancing festivals. With its own entrance off Leopold Grove, the next Conference Centre adds additional, modern space to the venues original capacity. The modern design of the new conference rooms links sympathetically to the original features of the old building.

Proposed Developments

In keeping with the town’s motto ‘Progress’, life at the Winter Gardens doesn’t stand still. Plans are on the table to build a brand new Winter Gardens Hotel. It will occupy the site of Adelaide Street car park, linked to the main building by a bridge.