The Pleasure Beach boasts a rich history, so it’s no wonder that remnants of the past can still be heard or observed.
A little bit of history
Blackpool Pleasure Beach was founded in 1896 by Alderman William George Bean and his partner John Outhwaite established the attraction. Since then, it has remained family-owned and operated, with Amanda Thompson, Bean’s great-granddaughter, currently serving as the managing director.
In August 1904. Bean expanded and built Blackpool’s first thrill ride, Sir Hiram Maxim’s Captive Flying Machine. The ride is still in use today and is the oldest in Europe. It’s 118 years old!
Haunted Rides
The ride itself has undergone several refurbishments over its years of operation.
Let’s begin our journey at the ghost train, and perhaps the most famous ghost at Pleasure Beach. This ride was opened in 1930 and was the first to use the term ‘ghost train’. The ride itself has undergone several refurbishments over its years of operation.
Legend has it that the ghost train is haunted by a spirit named Cloggy. He is known as’Cloggy’ because he is believed to be a train operator who wore clogs!
Visitors and employees alike have reported hearing the distinct sound of wooden clogs echoing throughout the tunnels of the ride. Some visitors have reported feeling as though they were being watched by an unseen presence. Mysterious taps and groans have been heard throughout the entire ride. It seems that ‘Cloggy’ is heard and felt rather than seen.
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I came across a news article stating that, one evening, when the staff had switched off all the electrical on the ride, they discovered that the skull on top of the ride was still illuminated. Despite investigating the matter, they were unable to identify the cause of this malfunction.
The Alice in Wonderland ride also has a ghost, and this is of a hanged man! Who or why he is there is not known.
The tunnel of love is haunted by a bloodstained woman! There does not seem to be a story attached to her that I can find.
The ice skating arena
The ice skating arena has been open since 1937. It is the UK’s oldest operating ice rink. A show named “Hot Ice” has been performed in Blackpool since 1936 and is performed every year at the Arena.
The Arena is not without its ghosts and paranormal goings on. The sound of skating is heard when no one is on the rink. On a couple of occasions, apparitions of people dressed in early 20th-century clothing have been seen next to the rink, as if they are watching people skate. Both of these sound like they are replays to me rather than actual hauntings. What do you think?
Ice-Rink equipment has been moved by unseen hands. Padlocked doors have been found open, or they slam shut on their own. Staff are said to feel uncomfortable when they are working late at night here.
A man has been seen in a cellar, somewhere at the location. According to witnesses, he looks like Karl Marx, the philosopher! Who he actually is and what he is doing, I don’t know. Strange shadows have also been seen in this area.
Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gift Shop
Lastly, we move on to Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gift Shop. A young girl has been seen by staff members when they are closing up for the night. She is described as being nine or ten years old and is dressed in old-fashioned clothes.
When staff members open in the morning, they often find items moved; it is believed this is the work of the little girl.
Sadly, no one seems to know who she is, but it does seem she is a happy little soul.
Read more haunting tales here