Advertisement Feature
Year-round attractions
Blackpool is the UK’s favourite seaside resort and perhaps its most traditional. Here you will find all the quintessential elements which make up a British seaside town, such as kiss-me-quick hats, amusement arcades, Victorian wooden piers, fish and chip shops, fairground rides and old-fashioned trams. Blackpool really does have it all and families of all ages can come and enjoy the bracing seaside air and year-round attractions. The big question is, does Blackpool really live up to its reputation as one of the UK’s liveliest yet most relaxing seaside resorts. The answer really must be a resounding ‘Yes”, and here’s why…
Great value
To fully appreciate Blackpool and what it has to offer, one needs to look at the history of the bustling and thriving town. Indeed, there wasn’t even a town here in the 18th century and even though visitors started coming to the area for the increasingly popular activity of sea bathing around this time, the population by 1801 was a mere 473. The real growth of Blackpool started soon after the arrival of the railways in 1846 and the economy of the town was boosted by the resultant influx of holidaymakers from the large Lancashire mill towns. Blackpool has never looked back, and the growth has continued to this very day – indeed, while many holidaymakers started travelling to the sun in the 1970s and 1980s, Blackpool has since enjoyed a revival and millions are now rediscovering the great value and wealth of attractions that the resort has to offer.
Best beaches in the UK
There are a great many reasons why Blackpool has been such a successful holiday destination over the years but foremost amongst these is the location. Situated on a stunning stretch of Lancashire coastline overlooking the Irish Sea, Blackpool can boast some of the very best beaches in the UK and these stretch for miles along the seafront. All of the very best Blackpool Hotels and guest houses can be found along the promenade with views out to sea, while the vast majority of the main attractions are also situated along the seafront.
Pleasure Beach
Of Blackpool’s attractions, the most popular is perhaps Blackpool Pleasure Beach which is located towards the south end of town. The Pleasure Beach – recently rebranded as Pleasure Beach resort – has been welcoming thrill-seekers for almost 130 years and there are some hugely popular and iconic rides on offer here. The most obvious and visually impressive of these is the Big One which has towered over the park since its construction in 1994, this ride being the tallest and fastest in the world when it was built. Visitors to the Pleasure Beach can also enjoy the UK’s largest collection of wooden roller coasters – Grand National, Nickelodeon Streak, Blue Flyer and Big Dipper – while there are a great many modern rides such as Icon and Valhalla. Indeed, if your visit to Blackpool doesn’t extend any further than the Pleasure Beach, there are several hotels situated alongside which cater for visitors to the attraction, the most prominent of these being the Big Blue Hotel Blackpool.
Blackpool Tower
While Blackpool Pleasure Beach ticks all the boxes for those who love being scared out of their wits on gravity-defying rides, perhaps the most iconic of the resort’s attractions is the world-famous Blackpool Tower which has dominated the skyline for 130 years. This awe-inspiring structure was modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and while it is considerably smaller at ‘just’ 518 feet in height, it is nevertheless a hugely impressive piece of engineering. Visitors can climb to the top (a lift is provided, thankfully) and the views from the ‘Blackpool Eye’ viewing platform are extensive, the Isle of Man and Manchester being visible on a clear day.
Unique amongst UK resorts
For those looking for a more sedate experience, a stroll along the famous Blackpool Promenade can be extremely rewarding. The recently developed promenade stretches all the way along the seafront and allows for uninterrupted views out to sea as well as giving access to the three Victorian piers. Blackpool is unique amongst UK resorts in having three distinct piers along the seafront and these each have something different to offer. South Pier is home to amusements and rides of all shapes and sizes, therefore it comes as no surprise to see younger families flock here. Central Pier is more in the thick of the action and boasts much in the way of amenities such as bars and restaurants. The oldest and most laid-back of the three piers is North Pier and here you can relax and enjoy the amazing views out to sea.
Blackpool Rock and Fish ‘n’ chips
No trip to the seaside would be complete without chewing on a stick of rock and in this regard, Blackpool sits right at the top of the tree. Blackpool Rock is legendary and known the world over, both by confectionary lovers and dentists alike. There’s nothing quite like a stick of rock at the seaside and many millions of sticks are sold each year along the promenade. Similarly, fish and chips are a staple diet for many visitors to Blackpool and while the town can boast some excellent restaurants on a par with many larger cities, there’s not much can beat eating a freshly battered fish while sitting by the seaside.
Illuminations
Blackpool is well known for a great many things, but absolutely everyone has heard of the illuminations. Blackpool Illuminations have been lighting up the skies for over 140 years and they take place from late August until the end of December each year. This is a truly amazing spectacle with over one million bulbs and laser beams illuminating fascinating displays for six miles, from Starr Gate in the south to Bispham in the north. The illuminations are completely free to enjoy, and the spectacle attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the autumn and winter months.
Blackpool has it in abundance
Blackpool really is what you make it. If you are looking for excitement, Blackpool has it in abundance. If you are looking for relaxation, Blackpool has it in abundance. If you are looking for a traditional holiday experience at a price that won’t break the bank, Blackpool has it in abundance. More reason to head along to this Lancashire seaside resort and see just what you have been missing!
