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Similar Blackpool Illuminations, North Pier - Blackpool, Sandcastle Water Park, South Pier - Blackpool, Blackpool Pleasure Beach | ||
The Golden Mile, which is actually 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometres) long, is the name given to the stretch of Promenade between the North and South piers in Blackpool, England. It emerged in the late 19th century, when small-time amusement ride operators, fortune-tellers, phrenologists and oyster bars set up in the front gardens of boarding houses, to take advantage of passing trade near the now-demolished Blackpool Central railway station.
It received its nickname later, partly due to the very high concentration of slot machines which would dominate the area. Today, it is home to the Coral Island and Funland amusement arcades, and, until November 2009, the official Doctor Who exhibition.
Blackpool's Golden Mile is referenced in the Jethro Tull song "Up the 'pool", which is about Blackpool, where bandleader Ian Anderson grew up.
