Miners' Convalescent Home, Blackpool

The Miners’ Convalescent Home in Blackpool is a striking example of early 20th-century Baroque Revival architecture and a reminder of the town’s historic role in workers' welfare. Built between 1925 and 1927 by the Bolton-based firm Bradshaw Gass & Hope, the home was established to provide rest and recuperation for miners from Lancashire and Cheshire, at a time when sea air was widely believed to have therapeutic benefits.

Officially opened on 28 June 1927 by Edward, Prince of Wales, the building reflects both architectural grandeur and social purpose. Constructed of red brick with terracotta detailing, it features a symmetrical three-story layout, slate-hipped roofs, and projecting wings flanking recessed central bays. A prominent ogee-capped tower rises at the rear, lending the structure a sense of monumentality.

For decades, it served its intended function, offering recuperative care to generations of miners. However, by the 1980s, its role as a convalescent home ended. In 2005, the building found new life when it was converted into residential apartments. Recognized for its architectural and historical significance, the Miners’ Convalescent Home was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage in 1995.