Help me choose where to stay in Blackpool

[Wheretostay]

Hi was hoping to get some help with staying in Blackpool in the summer.
It will be myself and my 16 year old.
I have never been to Blackpool so don't really know what I'm doing. I dont drive so whilst in Blackpool we will be walking and public transport.

I have booked a room close to Blackpool North Station and North pier. Thats costing me 300 for 3 nights. But I have just come across a room for 164 for 3 nights but its near the south pier they are bith budget hotels. Both have private bathroom. The reason I booked the hotel in Blackpool North wss because it's close to the train station and north pier which is where we are likely to do more stuff.
But is paying 300 worth it or when I can get a room for 164. Im wondering how easy travel/walking is and how safe it is. Im torn between 300 or 164. Money wise 164 makes sense. But im not sure in location..

So has anyone been /know the area?

Ita also the point of getting away for a few days. And Blackpool had the air show over 2 days dd will love that. Im also thinking there will be things to do. Alot of these air shows are far out abd its harder when you don't drive.

Definitely the Hilton, had a lovely stay there. I like Blackpool, great for kids, plenty to do.

I was there in January for a show and had a great time. We stayed in the Big Blue hotel. We had some fantastic food in a couple of restaurants and would go back again.

There's an article in the news today saying that the Red Arrows won't be at Blackpool Airshow this year, just in case that influences your plan to go. They will be at Southport Airshow (and many others).

Southport is a great shout - we have fantastic public transport in Sefton and although it's not as grand as it once was, Southport is a perfectly safe place to stay. I live nearby and would recommend Southport over Blackpool, especially for a nervous traveller reliant on public transport.

In addition, the crime rate in Central Blackpool is 1048% higher than the England average.

Violent crime capital of Britain is quite an accolade: www.gbnews.com/news/blackpool-britains-violent-crime-numbers

Hi the glenroy guest house is close to the front
it has rave reviews , great food
clean and well maintained
it’s owned by someone I knew years ago

Going to say the same , a most depressing place . I went on a budget holiday with my son ,wife and 2 kids , it was a horrendous experience !

I'm fairly local, from Preston. Blackpool is a dive. My advice would be, stay in Lytham or St Anne's, a very short journey away. A few short miles and a world away.

Blackpool Airport is officially in St Annes. Stay there instead. Lots of buses from St Annes to Blackpool.

I'd avoid staying in Blackpool (crime, grime, grim). Lytham is gorgeous (not Lytham St Annes), and is very close by. Bus or taxi ride away from Blackpool if you need to go there.

Clevelys isn't far from Blackpool and much nicer. There's a Haven site, cala gran:

www.haven.com/parks/blackpool/cala-gran

Try Liverpool. Blackpool is a dump!

Got even with the best will in the world Blackpool is a dreadful spot

Perhaps 100 miles away? Complete dump

speakimg from experience do not, I repeat, do not stay in a cheap hotel near the sea front. I cannot express to you what a horrific shit hole it was and how rank the people staying there were. We got out of there and roamed the streets in the dark and pissing rain looking for an alternative. Shudder

We stayed at the Boulevard Hotel. It’s right next to the pleasure beach, was clean and comfortable, breakfast was great and there’s a tram stop across the road from the hotel.

we went with 2 small kids for the weekend and enjoyed it.

hope you enjoy the air show

If you are coming for the air show it will be more expensive and busy that weekend but it’s a great free show . I would stay a bit out of the centre . The tram runs from the station along the promenade. The Hampton by Hilton, The Big Blue or the Boulevard are all good as is the Sheraton. Lots to do if the weather is bad in Blackpool which many other resorts can’t offer just avoid the town centre on Saturday night . Unsurprisingly most of the people who get rowdy are visitors from other places ! I hope you have a great time .

I was going to suggest Southport. Blackpool is a 5 star shithole. It’s the worst place I’ve ever been in the UK.

There's no denying that Blackpool is a deprived area and there are some ropey parts.
I have also had some brilliant days out there - the pleasure beach, the prom, the tower ballroom, the arcades......

If The Cottage chippy is still there, that might be worth a visit.

Getting from the north pier to south pier is easy due to all the trams. I would stay in the hotel that has nicer facilities as you probably won't be going out at night.

Southport would be a better option that Blackpool OP.

I have friend who grew up in Blackpool and often visits friends and even she says it has got worse.

Things you find in Blackpool but not anywhere else include stag weekends where you may find a completely naked man handcuffed to a lamp post.

Loads of drugs of all kinds and out in the open in some pubs.

Lots of children who were in care have been relocated to Blackpool because rent is cheap. That shouldn't be a problem but children in care often turn in to adults with problems.

A few years ago I was driving, no where near Blackpool, but the council was applying to set up a super casino. The radio host talked to a council representative and she was asked about Blackpool's reputation and her response was that things were changing and they were going upmarket by having the 'largest disco ball in Europe'.

By train Lytham-St-Annes is 10 - 15 mins and is IMHO more of a child friendly resort.

https://www.visitlancashire.com/explore/lytham

There’s always hate for Blackpool on here but we go for a couple of days most summers and have fun at the Pleasurebeach and never had any trouble. I’m from Lancashire originally but live in London now and DH and DC are all from down here but still enjoy it there with none of the horrors of this thread. Helps to have a sense of humour about the seamier side but it’s not such a hellscape if you stick to the front and especially events like the airshow would be totally fine.

What I would say is don’t take a risk on budget rooms in unknown bnbs that could well be ropey or hen partytastic. We stay at the Imperial which has some good deals, or you’d be fine with one of the chains like premier inn or a proper hotel of some size ideally on the front, Big Blue’s been mentioned and Sands is okay, that kind of scale. Once you go further back it gets very unpredictable and you don’t wanna be somewhere people have mainly gone to party.

@pinkdelight completely agree. This is my experience of Blackpool as well.

I think having the right frame of mind is crucial - you're going for a laugh not high-brow activities