Roll up, roll up and pay to see starving honeymoon couples inside glass cases in the early 1930s. Those were the days when sideshows made their mark on the Golden Mile. Notice the lamp post placard for the defrocked Rector of Stiffkey, who was also starving - this time in a barrelplaceholder image
Roll up, roll up and pay to see starving honeymoon couples inside glass cases in the early 1930s. Those were the days when sideshows made their mark on the Golden Mile. Notice the lamp post placard for the defrocked Rector of Stiffkey, who was also starving - this time in a barrel | National World

15 extraordinarily bizarre retro photos of Blackpool freak shows, side shows and fortune tellers

Claire Lark
By Claire Lark

Digital Journalist

Published 11th Jul 2024, 11:06 GMT
Updated 11th Jul 2024, 11:11 GMT

Right until the late 1960s Blackpool’s Golden Mile was speckled with bizarre sideshows to draw in the tourists including anatomical oddities.

They were an intriguing part of the Golden Mile scene and in earlier days included starving brides.

The newlyweds would encase themsleves in glass boxes and starve themselves for money which they’d use to buy a home.

Other side shows which began in the late 19th Century included conjoined twins, tattooed ladies and striptease acts which took their place alongside the fortune tellers to bring in the crowds. As long as it caught the imagination, it was a winner. These pictures show some of the odd shows as well as Blackpool’s famous fortune tellers through the years.

For all your Blackpool nostalgia needs - sign up for the Gazette’s retro newsletter.

You may have missed some of our recent galleries...

39 pulse-raising nightlife pictures of pubs, clubs, and restaurants in Poulton back in the day

I visited Blackpool Pleasure Beach when it was free to walk round, try a couple of rides, then to the arcades!

23 of Blackpool most recognisable iconic landmarks as they looked back in the 1990s

Freak shows on the Golden Mile including Princess Ubango who was a 'pygmy' from Africa

13. Gypsies and Sideshows

Freak shows on the Golden Mile including Princess Ubango who was a 'pygmy' from Africa | Wakey Wakey!

Photo Sales
Weird. Golden Mile Blackpool sideshow - Kap-Dwa the two headed giant at the Montmartre Theatre, 1950s

14. Gypsies and Sideshows

Weird. Golden Mile Blackpool sideshow - Kap-Dwa the two headed giant at the Montmartre Theatre, 1950s | National World

Photo Sales
Seaside attractions including a Romany spiritualist and adverts for a family-time talent show with the chance to win £1,500 in Blackpool, 1983

15. Gypsies and Sideshows

Seaside attractions including a Romany spiritualist and adverts for a family-time talent show with the chance to win £1,500 in Blackpool, 1983 | Getty Images

Photo Sales
Previous
4 / 4
Next Page
Related topics:BlackpoolMoneyNostalgiaBlackpool Pleasure Beach
News you can trust since 1886
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice