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Location notes
The southern end of the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway, the only regular public tramway in the UK not using light rail vehicles (Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon and Nottingham use light rail vehicles). However, plans to modernise the tramway will see this status end, with light rail vehicles being planned.
Railway type and traffic
The Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway operates both double and single deck trams, in both crew operated, and Driver only operated mode. Tickets are bought on the tram, except when using a travel card.
Environment
Situated on the coast, this area is quite exposed. In the summer, it is glorious, but in the autumn, it can be nippy. This is also the southernmost point for the illuminations, and so always be vigilant, as pickpockets, whilst not in great numbers in Blackpool and Fylde, can be there, during this busy period.
Road directions
Blackpool is well signposted on all routes, but to reach Starr Gate, follow signs for Squires Gate, or Blackpool Airport. Once there, look for signs for Lytham. Starr Gate is at the bottom end of Squires Gate Way/Lane.
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Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate map co-ordinates
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate map co-ordinates
Parking
Suitable parking is available in nearby housing estates, a few minutes walk away. Do park carefully, so as to not block driveways etc. Parking is not permitted on the promenade itself.
Public transport
The tram line terminates here, and runs right round in a loop to resume the journey north.
Bus services are provided by both Stagecoach in Lancashire whilst the tramway is operated by Blackpool transport, who also trade as Metro Coastlines for bus services . Stagecoach service 68 stops in Squires Gate Lane, Metro coastlines services 2, 7 and 11 stopping here as well.
IMPORTANT: Metro coastline saver tickets for 1 3 5 and 7 days travel are not permitted on Stagecoach services. Stagecoach Megariders are not valid on Metro Coastlines or the tram.
The nearest train station is Squires Gate. From the station, turn left, head down to the traffic lights, and cross carefully, till you reach the tram stop.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Bus services are provided by both Stagecoach in Lancashire whilst the tramway is operated by Blackpool transport, who also trade as Metro Coastlines for bus services . Stagecoach service 68 stops in Squires Gate Lane, Metro coastlines services 2, 7 and 11 stopping here as well.
IMPORTANT: Metro coastline saver tickets for 1 3 5 and 7 days travel are not permitted on Stagecoach services. Stagecoach Megariders are not valid on Metro Coastlines or the tram.
The nearest train station is Squires Gate. From the station, turn left, head down to the traffic lights, and cross carefully, till you reach the tram stop.
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Amenities
The toilets are situated in the island at the tram track loop, and require 20p. The toilets will only accept 20p, no other denomination of coin.
A small shop is available across the traffic lights. Further up Squires gate lane is a BP petrol station. Other amenities are in central Blackpool or central St Annes.
A small shop is available across the traffic lights. Further up Squires gate lane is a BP petrol station. Other amenities are in central Blackpool or central St Annes.
Accommodation
A short walk away is a Pointins holiday camp! For all accommodation details, go to Blackpool Tourism or Blackpool Local and look for tourism.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate
Streetmap links
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate general view map
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate
Googly map
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate general view map
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Blackpool Tramway, Starr Gate
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Photographic notes
The fence is low enough for you to get pictures and videos of trams, and they go slow enough for you to get time to prepare your shot. If you are using video, remember that the promenade is a main thoroughfare through Blackpool, and Starr Gate junction is a busy junction, so traffic noise is inevitable.
Blackpool Airport is near here (it is further up Squires Gate Lane), so aircraft noise may affect videos.
Blackpool Airport is near here (it is further up Squires Gate Lane), so aircraft noise may affect videos.
General views - All photographs © Robert Clarke unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
