The Comedy Carpet
Creative Tourist
Sitting in the shadow of Blackpool’s famous copycat Eiffel Tower, The Comedy Carpet is one of the seaside town’s most popular attractions. Considered Lancashire’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visitors to the floor of laughs will find a unique twist on the original walk that celebrates the famous British sense of humour with sayings from over 1,0000 different UK greats.
Incorporating some of the most famous quotes, lyrics and jokes of the UK’s best loved writers and comedians, it is one of the largest pieces of public art to ever go on display in Britain and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
Representing a host of brilliant UK comedians and writers, it was compiled by artist Gordon Young – also behind the Climbing Towers and Boulder Wall that greet tourists as they drive in from the M55 motorway. Having dedicated the majority of his career to the celebration of words, this giant art installation is a perfect example of everything he holds dear.
Inspired by a traditional music hall-style playbill, the giant art piece might appear chaotic at first glance but take a closer look and you’ll realise how it pays homage to Blackpool’s long history as a home for great entertainment. Known colloquially as the Horizontal Angel of the North, there’s plenty to see with letters in its quotes ranging from the miniscule to the huge.
Found right on the promenade, it’s free to visit – and promises (at least) a laugh a minute to those who take the time to look down. First opened in 2011, it remains in excellent condition with the jokes of British favourites such as Bruce Forsyth, Billy Connolly and Robbie Coltrane sitting alongside some honourable imports, such as the fabulous Dame Edna.
All placed in seemingly organised chaos, letters range in size from a matter of centimetres to a metre and a half in height. Visitors can peer down at the floor from the glass eye inside Blackpool tower, or opt to amble across the open promenade chuckling as they go at some of the best sayings from the UK’s most beloved comedy giants.
