Its not too long to go until the Blackpool Tramway Anniversary weekend which as usual takes place over the weekend closest to the tramway opening on 29th September 1885, which this year will be Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September. This year there will be the return of hop-on, hop-off heritage tram tours along with heritage bus tours and the chance to see behind the scenes at Rigby Road Depot.
Although details of a timetable have yet to be released it has been confirmed that up to six trams a day will be allocated to heritage tours between 1030 and 1730 running to various destinations along the tramway. These will be the first hop-on, hop-off tours since March 2020 and that means that you will be able to get on and off trams at each of the heritage stops along the route of the tramway.
With the return of hop-on, hop-off tours that also means the return of a day ticket which will now cost £15 for adults (£7 child). It still gives excellent value with it giving unlimited travel on the daytime heritage tours, all modern trams and bus services run by Blackpool Transport (the one change is that it is not valid for evening illumination tours).
If you still prefer to pre-book heritage tram trips you still can as there remain some tours available for pre-booking through the Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours website at https://blackpoolheritage.com/.
The weekend will also see the start of a new series of guided depot tours at Rigby Road Depot allowing you to hear all about the plans for the future including the hoped for Visitor attraction at the depot. Tours will take place at 1300 and 1430 on Saturday 25th September and 1400 on Sunday 26th September and with each tour limited to 15 people should be booked in advance (more details on how to do this coming soon). The tour will cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children (all children must be accompanied by a person aged over 18 years of age). Money from the tours goes directly towards the restoration of the depot.
There will be two Heritage Bus Tours running on each day too. At 1100 on Saturday 25th and 1200 Sunday 26th Bus 100 Revisited will run to Thorton following the original bus route from Cleveleys to Thornton. Then at 1300 on Saturday 25th and 1400 on Sunday 26th a Lytham St Annes tour will follow the old tram route along Lytham Road to Squires Gate, the site of the old Lytham St Annes Corporation Tram Depot, then following the route of the long-gone tram line to Lytham passing through St Annes and the original Tramway shelter that survives at Fairhaven. It then returns via the Promenade via Fairhaven Lake and St Annes Pier. Pre-booking is encouraged for the bus tours and again more details will follow.
On top of that the Shop Tram will be open on both days and there will be a small selection of static trams on display at Blundell Street.
That’s all happening over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September 2021. More details as and when they are released.