To think we would enjoy Blackpool?

[Babysafari]

I haven't been for 15 years, it had a reputation for being a bit tacky even back then.

I do remember there was lots for dc to do, the waterpark, the tower, pleasurebeach, tram rides.

Thought I might book a couple of nights there but everyone looks at me like this

Is it that bad?

And she may like blackpool. You can't say she won't because there's people there that you don't want to mix with

So? Lots of places have a reputation. Doesn't mean it's all bad. She may enjoy it.

And I gave mine I don't get the insistence that it's a terrible place though. You can feel that way, that's up to you, but there's no need to repeat it over and over. OP should make her own mind up. I'm in no way saying it's perfect. Just that it's like anywhere. There's good and bad and only you can decide if you like it or not.

Stay outside of Blackpool. Bus in and stick to the front for pleasure beach and sandcastle. Most b&bs are awful and full of stag and hen dos. Everywhere seems to sell tacky hen do things so you spend half your time in shops trying to avoid the plastic penises. They make most of their money off boozers these days so the place is full of them.

Because people keep saying it's awful. OP needs to decide for herself, or at least be able to read a range of views, not someone saying it's terrible over and over and its ok if you want jeremy kyle stuff whenever someone has a different opinion. We get it, you don't like it. Some people do. That doesn't make them wrong. No one is right or wrong. Everyone likes different things.

Are you looking for somewhere your children would love? Then Blackpool is great? If you have loads of prejudices about people who aren't you, maybe try somewhere else. There is indeed a nasty seedy side to Blackpool. As there is to many places. Steer clear of them (pretty easy to do) and have fun.

There's someone in the town where I live that has been on Jeremy Kyle. AIBU to move to retain full MN credibility?

Horses for courses. I would never go to London for a holiday, it's my idea of hell.

(I'd never go to Blackpool on holiday, but that's only because I live within 25 miles of it!!)

I've been visiting Blackpool since I was a child, now 48.

It's suffered from an increase in Poverty and addiction, but luckily it's not catching and you don't see it much, if you stick to the main 'strip' up until about 9pm.

There's loads to do, it, as said, isn't any more expensive than anywhere else and the Cafes are a lot cheaper than other places. They're OK, kids/teens like the stuff they serve.

I've stayed in rental apartments (flats) and B&Bs, Google the reviews, many are for families and don't accept Hens/Stags etc.

I've stayed in the ones minutes away from the funfair and never had an issue.

It isn't Dorset, but if it rains there's lots to do and for us further Up North, it's easy to get to, if you want a Sealife/indoor activities and not just a beach.

My teen DD loved all the Goth stuff/samurai swords etc that were available. It has a good mix, I think.

It's on my list to take my GD and we'll be staying local.

Was there this weekend for the day. Only thing we were at risk of getting was sunburn.

I sometimes wonder if the insistence from the tourist authorities that "it's changed" isn't part of the problem. Yes money's been spent on the prom, etc, but no matter what they do it's still going to be a brash, noisy, slightly rough-around-the-edges, northern seaside town

Certainly more needs to be done about some of the worst excesses, but it's never going to be a high-end place - so maybe it's best to just embrace what it is if that suits, and choose somewhere else if not?

To be honest kids will love it regardless of what adults think. Growing up by Blackpool, I genuinely can't think of a better place to have been raised and I will definitely be moving back to the fylde coast to have my own children.

It's really only adults who notice all he negatives.

I must be missing something, I'm just not sure why anyone would want to go to Blackpool. Tbh I'd pay not to go

You are missing something, hormonal.

here's a lovely picture I took yesterday on rossall beach near clevelys.

It really does have its highlights.

But where's the organic samphire and the delightful little fisherman's cottage, unproven?
Ps The beach near Rossall is lovely.

Unproper, even

Whats samphire ?

MrsJayy it's like asparagus, but more weedy and seaweed-y

Ah ok so actual sea weeds then?

Not quite

Here you go: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samphire

You can't compare the whole of Cornwall or Dorset to Blackpool Ffs!

That's like comparing a fry up at a greasy spoon with a meal at Claridges!

Blackpool is what it is. I have been as a singleton on a hen night, hated it. But as a parent with young kids, it's great.

I tend to hang around the seafront and piers. Not interested in the shops and it is therefore away from the bar's and drunks.

It does have problems, just back from the tourist front, but there are also some beautiful houses around the area (on the way to the zoo and up the coast and on the way to Fleetwood, in the quieter parts of town)

Really bizarre for some on the thread to comprehend....you can enjoy Cornwall and Blackpool, I do.

I personally despise New Quay I went about 10 years ago and swore I'd never go back, dirty, drunk teens, over priced, packed. I've stuck to Looe and the quieter seaside towns, much nicer.

Brighton - have never got the hype. Dirty and so far up it's own arse I'm surprised the locals get enough oxygen to survive.

Yet people rave about the places.

Personally, a weekend stay with children in Blackpool isn't something I'd do. But as plenty of others have said, stay nearby and do a day trip, very enjoyable and its in a beautiful part of the world.

I agree with you there about Newquay. We've got family there and were told it was lovely. We visited en route to St Ives and we thought it was completely horrible.

I definitely wasn't comparing Blackpool to Cornwall. Cornwall is days at the beach, afternoon tea, bike rides and posh fish and chips.

I'm sure my dc would like the stuff at Blackpool but I'm not going to stay there now, I'm not risking it, if we go over that way I'll try it for a day trip perhaps.