New Central, Blackpool

Advantages: Plus ca change
Disadvantages: Plus c'est les memes shows

...-rack" trams, the tower, the beach that stretched to the horizon, the arcades along the front ("catch-pennies" as my grandmother called them), Pablo's two-inch thick ice cream wafers, fizzy pop from bottles with wire-hinged ceramic tops, Bloomfield Road stadium where the likes of Matthews and Mortenson still performed - I could go on in this vein endlessly. My heart still quickens to the litany of "Lytham, St Annes, Squires Gate, Blackpool South" the slow sequence of stops through which the train from Euston chugged before arriving at last at old Blackpool Central station, now demolished. Returning as an adult was always enjoyable, but never quite the same. How could it be? To our cost, we all lose our childhood capacity for wonderment. My visits tailed off, and after my grandmother died I did not go to Blackpool for nearly twenty years, until... Read review

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Advantages: Although a bit tacky, you can find some great places to visit.
Disadvantages: Loads of tacky souvenir shops.

...of colour. Although many of the lights are repeated year after year, they do normally add new sections and new displays each year. So take a trip to Blackpool lights, it's so much nicer with the lights on. See the lights in 2001 from 31st August to 4th November. *** Blackpool Piers. Blackpool has three splendid piers, North pier, Central pier and South pier. All three piers have theatres, restaurants, shops, arcades and bars. There is no chance of overlooking Central Pier unless you are doing it from the top of the 108 feet high illuminated Big Wheel, which is to be found on the North pier. *** The Sandcastle. Go on in, the water's fine and always warm, inside. You don't need a bucket and spade to enjoy the seafront Sandcastle with its tropical temperatures and swirling slides, flumes and tubes to ensure a thrill packed soaking... Read review

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Advantages: Pleasure Beach, sealife centre, cost
Disadvantages: Pier amusements

..., literally next door to each other all the way down the promenade. I would advise booking in advance and not just to rely on turning up and finding a place, as you would be surprised how quickly these places fill up on a weekend. The President Hotel - this was situated right on the front of the promenade and seemed really popular, this looked like a nice place to stay and was one of the slightly more expensive ranging from £35-60 per night depending on the time you go. There website is extremely helpful at there are loads of pictures of the rooms, which look rather posh (oo err) www.thepresidenthotel.co.uk Blackpool Piers The North Pier - Opened in May 1863 and a massive 1,405 feet long, 27 feet wide and built from 12,000 tons of metal. Central Pier - Started building in started in June 1867 and completed in May 1868.T he... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful