Blackpool's rise to prominence as the 'archetypal British seaside resort' began when the railway was built in the 1840s, opening the town up to the industrial north. Throngs of people flocked to the town for the health benefits of sea-bathing. By 1881, Blackpool was a booming resort complete with promenade, pier, donkey rides, fortune tellers and theatres. Its heyday in the first half of the twentieth century saw northern visitors visiting en masse. Today, Blackpool remains the most popular seaside resort in the United Kingdom, a popular place to visit for its Tower, Blackpool Illuminations, Pleasure Beach and Winter Gardens. This fantastic selection of old postcards gives a romantic view of Blackpool in its heyday, a town bustling with visitors excited to get some sun, sea and sand. These postcards demonstrate why Blackpool has always been so popular with the many millions who visit each year, providing a rare glimpse into Blackpool's leisure boom.