Blue Flyer rollercoaster (originally the Zipper Dipper) is a Grade II listed building in the Blackpool local planning authority area, England. First listed on 19 April 2017. Rollercoaster.

Blue Flyer rollercoaster (originally the Zipper Dipper)

WRENN ID
north-gable-autumn
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
Blackpool
Constituency
Blackpool South MP: Chris Webb (Lab)
Country
England
Date first listed
19 April 2017
Type
Rollercoaster
Address
Blue Flyer rollercoaster (originally the Zipper Dipper), Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Ocean Boulevard, Promenade, FY4 1EZ
OS grid reference
SD 306 331
Coordinates
53.79022, -3.05388
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Blue Flyer rollercoaster, originally known as the Zipper Dipper, is a children's rollercoaster built in 1934 by the Dayton Fun House and Riding Device and Manufacturing Company, with oversight by Charles Paige. The station was added in the 21st century.

Constructed from timber with metal fixings and station fittings, the rollercoaster is oriented broadly north-south and features an elongated, reverse L-shaped loop, measuring a total length of 1,099 feet. The station's superstructure consists of a concrete and steel frame, covered with textured metal panels arranged in flowing layers.

From the station, the lift hill rises to the north, reaching approximately 15 feet in height. It then makes a 180-degree turn to the right before descending through three gentle dips and crests. After this, the track turns right again, entering a tunnel through the building that previously housed the Space Invader steel rollercoaster. The track rises and turns through 270 degrees before exiting and making a 90-degree turn to the left, gently descending back to the station.

The track is supported by two parallel vertical grids of timber, which vary in height, causing the track to rise and fall. These grids are connected and braced with horizontal timbers, and diagonal bracing is present between the grids and the timbers of each grid. The rails are made of layered timber boards, topped with a shallow metal strip that supports the running wheels, while similar strips run along the inner face for the side-friction wheels. The motor is located in a wooden hut situated between the lift hill and the first descent.

Some sections of the ride pass beneath or through other structures, which are included in the listing but not mapped.

Local climate

Blue Flyer rollercoaster (originally the Zipper Dipper) sits in one of the wettest parts of the UK, with an average of 1,380 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 97% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 98% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 13 freeze-thaw cycles a year, fewer than 88% of listed buildings. Of these, 5 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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  • Radon risk assessment
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Nearby listed buildings

  1. The Grand National Grade II 184 m
  2. The Big Dipper Grade II 194 m
  3. Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine Grade II 229 m
  4. Noah's Ark Grade II 289 m
  5. The Casino at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Grade II 345 m
  6. Church of the Holy Trinity Grade II 681 m
  7. Coral Bingo and Social Club (King Edward) Grade II 2.5 km
  8. Tower Buildings Grade I 2.9 km
  9. The Winter Gardens Grade II* 3.0 km
  10. Grand Theatre Grade II* 3.0 km