Admittedly I haven't been able to visit Blackpool for years now and I’ve heard it’s changed in some respects but I have many happy memories of when I did so.
A true, traditional, British seaside area including donkey rides, 'Kiss me Quick' hats and candy floss!! There is something for everyone in Blackpool. Organists playing classics for the grannies, child play areas/playhouses, amusement arcades, theatres, nightclubs, you name it!
I found that, looking through brochures, accommodation available varies and there is something to suit all budgets. These range form Bed and breakfast in someone's house to five star hotels and everything in between. The first time I went I had the former type of accommodation which cost me £14 a night. After that I stayed in a ‘proper’ hotel for about twice the price but prices start at around £20 per person per night these days and from there the sky’s the limit.
As far as entertainment goes, again there is something for everyone - the Pleasure beach being my favourite for a wide variety of white-knuckle rides including the famous "Big One" rollercoaster aswell as small rides for children and a childrens' playhouse. Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach also boast the world’s oldest wooden rollercoaster in the “Grand national" where two coaches race each other – a great ride! There are rides for all ages from gentle roundabouts for very young children to gut-churning, gravity defying rides for brave adults.
Of course, there is Blackpool Tower with its ballroom and bingo nights, numerous nightclubs catering for all ages and all tastes in music too. I found the older people tended to favour nights at the Tower and the Pier theatres whereas the younger ones headed into the town centre nightclubs which played everything from Techno to Rock. There are three Piers each displaying differing pubs and clubs aswell as more traditional amusement areas.
There are a multitude of "Las Vegas" amusement arcades featuring old-fashioned one-armed bandits and kiddies games aswell as more up-to-datevideo games and the more expensive 'serious money' slot machines. I’ve heard talk recently on the news that there are plans to turn Blackpool into a UK version of Las Vegas by opening vast ‘proper’ casinos there. Whether this is going ahead or not I don’t know but it would certainly change the character of Blackpool somewhat.
The Sea Life centre is also pretty amazing where you have the opportunity to have sharks swimming over your head! There is also a Waterworld swimming pool centre with flumes and amusement pools for the water lovers!
Of course, there is the beach aswell, a vast sandy expanse but not the cleanest of beaches it has to be said - you can find donkey rides here too.
It can work out expensive if you stay at a larger hotel, eat out at fancy restaurants and spend freely during your stay but on the other hand there are plenty of reasonable B & Bs and traditional chip-shop types places to eat aswell as the usual chains such as McDonald’s.
For a budget family holiday or just a long weekend break for the good-humoured - you can't beat it!
Nothing's changed much in the last three years, trust me, and as for the ' Grand National ', I nearly fell off it ... Scary Shit ... My favourite ride is the avalanche.
paulbowes2k1 07.09.2001 16:01
In't B'Pool Great?? I'm off there on Monday for 5 days with the wife and kids. "Can't wait" :-)
Dizz 11.05.2001 14:46
I love Blackpool! Shame about the weather, though. I went there in September a few years back and it was FREEZING!!
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Apr 30th, 2001
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