Blackpool Central Library, Grundy Art Gallery and Coffee Shop, Lancashire

Details

Accessibility

Accessible restrooms 

Automatic doors

baby changing facilities

Step-free access

Accessible parking

Hearing loop

Lift access

https://libraryon.org/libraries/blackpool/blackpool-central

+ Grundy Art Gallery:

"The Grundy is accessible by steps and there is wheelchair access to the ground floor galleries. The Grundy shop specialises in artist-made jewellery.

There is wheelchair access to all ground floor galleries.

We welcome all type of wheelchairs (manual and electric) and Class 1 and 2 mobility scooters. Where possible, we aim to accommodate Class 3 mobility scooters into our gallery spaces, however, there may be times where this isn’t possible due to the space available. We can offer visitors the use of portable seating. We also welcome Class 3 mobility scooter with prior arrangement.

Please note: the use of electric e-scooters is strictly prohibited in all areas of the building.

We welcome registered guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs only in the gallery spaces.

There is parking for disabled badge holders on Queen Street, and in the car park situated beside the gallery.

Grundy does not have a publicly accessible toilet or baby changing facilities on site. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the Central Library Building, adjacent to the gallery. Please speak to Front of House staff for more information. We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

There is parking for disabled badge holders on Queen Street, and in the car park situated beside the gallery.

Please see https://www.accessable.co.uk/blackpool-council/access-guides/grundy-art-gallery-lancashire for our most recent access guide (Updated July 2024)."

Brief description

"Blackpool Central Library is a beautiful building in its own right. If you like heritage and architecture it’s well worth popping in just to take a look at the inside of the building. Find it at Queens Street – not far from North Pier."

https://www.liveblackpool.info/community/local-libraries/blackpool-central-library/ 

and Grundy Art Gallery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grundy_Art_Gallery

"The Grundy is an art gallery located in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Its eclectic programme consists of regional historic to recent contemporary art exhibitions. Opened in 1911, it is owned and operated by Blackpool Council.

It is a Grade II listed Edwardian building.[1] Together with the adjoining Central library it was listed on 20 October 1983.[2] 

The Grundy's works are displayed as part of temporary exhibitions and represent Victorian oils and watercolours, modern British paintings, contemporary jewellery and video, oriental ivories, ceramics, and photographs and souvenirs of Blackpool.

Works in the collection include Aircraftsman Shaw by Welsh painter Augustus John, Sanctuary Wood by English landscape painter Paul Nash, The Yellow Funnel by English painter Eric Ravilious, The Waterway by English painter Lucy Kemp-Welch and Woods and Forests by English landscape painter John Linnell.[10]

Other notable British artists represented in the painting collection include Anna Airy, Samuel John 'Lamorna' Birch, Stephen Bone, Thomas Sidney Cooper, Frederick William Elwell, Stanhope Alexander Forbes, Patrick Hughes, Laura Knight, Charles S Ricketts, David Roberts, Charles Spencelayh and Henry Scott Tuke.[11]

Other artists represented include Craigie Aitchison, Richard Ansdell, Thomas Sidney Cooper, Martin Creed, Thomas Creswick, Stanhope Forbes, Laura Ford, Gilbert & George, Hubert von Herkomer, John Frederick Herring, Sr., Edward Atkinson Hornel, Harold Knight, Lilian Lancaster, Henry Herbert La Thangue, Peter Liversidge, David Roberts, Lindsay Seers, William Shayer, Julian Trevelyan, Eugène Joseph Verboeckhoven and Benjamin Williams Leader.[4][10]"

The Grundy organises a programme of contemporary visual art exhibitions featuring the work of established and emerging artists from the UK and overseas, as well as historically important artwork loaned from major UK institutions and objects from its own permanent collection. The Grundy also hosts an annual Open Exhibition."

Address

Central Library and Grundy Art Gallery

Blackpool
FY1 1PX

And Grundy Art Gallery, Queen St, Blackpool FY1 1PU,  01253 478170

Email

2025- central.library@blackpool.gov.uk

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Libraries-arts-and-heritage/Libraries/Libraries-and-opening-times/Central-library.aspx 

Grundy Art Gallery: grundyartgallery@blackpool.gov.uk

Phone

2025- Library: 01253 478080 + Grundy Art Gallery: 01253 478170

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Libraries-arts-and-heritage/Libraries/Libraries-and-opening-times/Central-library.aspx. 

Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Library,_Blackpool

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Libraries-arts-and-heritage/Libraries/Libraries-and-opening-times/Central-library.aspx

https://www.thegrundy.org/
 

Directions

On Foot, from the Town Centre:

From North Pier, continue northerly along the promenade and turn right into Queen Street.
The gallery is situated between Central Library and the pay-and-display car park. We are just 5-8 minutes walk away from North Pier, the Winter Gardens and Tower.

Directions from the M55:

"Via Promenade: At the end of the M55 keep in the nearside lane and follow signs for Blackpool Squires Gate (SQ. Gate)/Starr Gate. Then follow brown tourist signs for South Promenade. Upon reaching Starr Gate/The Promenade, turn right onto the Promenade and continue along the Promenade, past Blackpool Tower to the Metropole Hotel, situated on the Promenade beside North Pier (the third of the piers encountered from this direction). Turn right down Springfield Road, then turn right down Abingdon Street. Take the first exit, turning left, at the mini-roundabout. Grundy is situated beside Central Library on Queen Street with Queen Street Car Park directly next to the building.

Via Yeadon Way: At the end of the M55, take Yeadon Way to Seasiders Way – head west on A5230. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yeadon Way and continue. At the roundabout, continue straight onto Seasider’s Way. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Seasider’s Way. Turn left onto Central Dr (A5099). Turn left onto New Bonny St. Turn right onto Promenade(A584). Turn right onto Springfield Rd. Turn right onto Abingdon St. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Queen St (A586)

Via Park Rd/Cookson St: Leave M55 at Exit 4 towards Marton Circle. At Marton Cir, take the 3rd exit onto Preston New Rd (A583) and continue. Continue straight onto Park Rd (B5390) and continue. Turn left onto Church St. Turn right onto Cookson St. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Talbot Rd(A586). Turn left onto High St (A586). Continue along High Street and then straight onto Springfield Rd. Turn left onto Abingdon St. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Queen St (A586).

Alternative parking can be found at the Talbot Road Multi-Storey Car Park (sat nav – FY1 3AU) or East Topping Street Car Park (sat nav – FY1 3AS). These car parks are within a 5 minute walking distance of Grundy. Additional parking information can be found on the Blackpool Council website." 

Parking

There is a pay and display car park next to the gallery on Queen Street. There is also parking for disabled badge holders on Queen Street.

Opening Times

2025- Library:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday  - 9.00am to 5.00pm

Wednesday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

Thursday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

Friday - 9.00am to 5.00pm

Saturday - 10.00am to 4.00pm

Sunday - Closed

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Libraries-arts-and-heritage/Libraries/Libraries-and-opening-times/Central-library.aspx 

+ Grundy Art Gallery: "Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.45pm during exhibitions only. Please note: last admission to the gallery is 4.20pm. GRUNDY IS CURRENTLY CLOSED WHILST WE PREPARE OUR NEW EXHIBITIONS. REOPENING 18/10/25."

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

2025: "By Train

Travel to Blackpool North train station. Grundy is a 5 minute walk from the station. Exit Blackpool North Station via the main entrance/exit, turning right. Cross the zebra crossing before turning left and following the footpath. Head in the direction the Sainsbury’s building using either the steps or the access ramp. At the top of the stairs turn right onto Talbot Road. Follow Talbot Road towards the sea (at the end of the road), before taking the second exit on the right (Abingdon Street). Continue along Abingdon Street until you reach the mini-roundabout – Central Library is located to the right on the corner of Abingdon St/Queen Street with Grundy is situated beside Central Library along Queen Street. "

Amenities

• Books
• Large print books
• Talking books
• Newspapers and magazines
• Public access PCs with free access to the internet
• Free wifi access
• Printing, photocopying and scanning
• Local information
• Health information
• Local family and history centre
• Study area
• Hire of meeting and activity rooms

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Libraries-arts-and-heritage/Libraries/Libraries-and-opening-times/Central-library.aspx 

+ Grundy Art Gallery: "Grundy does not have a publicly accessible toilet or baby changing facilities on site.

Accessible toilet facilities are available in the Central Library Building, adjacent to the gallery. Please speak to Front of House staff for more information. We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Shop: https://www.thegrundy.org/shop/ "The Grundy shop stocks an array of exhibition specific merchandise, arts journals, exhibition publications, creative toys and greetings cards."