To go to Blackpool October half term?

[fat13]

Looking for somewhere good for kids. Dh has never seen the illuminations so thought this would be nice. Zoo, sandcastle, beach - but is it really horrific? Wales is the other possibility but doesn’t seem as much on.

We did Blackpool one October half term with small kids it was ok,I think we went to a zoo one day. Ostensibly we went to "see the lights" but it was wet and cold, the queue was immense and they were somewhat underwhelming which was a shame as I remembered loving them as a child. To quote DH "they're amazing if you've never seen electricity before!"

@MyPatronusIsACat

I know 😂 bit dramatic but that’s literally how people are acting, like Blackpool is some terrifying place you’d be lucky to survive. When in the real world it will probably be cold and rainy and you might see some rowdy people but you’ll get chips and see the lights and the sea and almost certainly won’t get eaten by creatures from another dimension.

@Kanaloa

I mean don’t get me wrong I can think of better places for our main annual holiday but come on, chips and lights by the sea for a night.

I can think of worse ways to spend an evening.

Two weeks today and we will be there 🙌.

I think Blackpool is like Marmite.
I know people who love it and go back repeatedly. Other people don't like it.

*I mean don’t get me wrong I can think of better places for our main annual holiday but come on, chips and lights by the sea for a night.
*
Chips and lights, run down drastic properties, broken glass underfoot and vomit.
I also would rather stay at home.

"Chips and lights, run down drastic properties, broken glass underfoot and vomit."

I go every year, I've been twice this year. I've never experienced broken glass and vomit anywhere were you'd want to go with children. Run down properties are everywhere.
Parts of the tower were shut a few weeks ago, which meant that it wasn't really value for money.

@Thehop, the nude swims have now been banned.

That rules out, Gran Canaria, Germany and Italy, because you'll find whole families naked. I don't know for sure what other European countries still have whole family naked beaches, it used to be loads.

Also, forget the chips, it's the fish that makes the trip.

@Ponoka7 thank you for the update. That’s great news.

@Newgirls

I quite fancy it after reading this. Are the illuminations every night or best at weekends?

They are the same every night.

You do get a bit more evening and night entertainment on Fridays and Saturday nights though. Not sure if they still do it (as me and DH went on a Tuesday and Wednesday the other week,) but they used to do a spectacular firework display on a Saturday night. We saw it last maybe 6 or 7 years ago. You're more likely to get livelier nights in the pubs and clubs too. Although, it's a bit more rowdy with hen nights and stag nights, so it's a double edge sword!

[quote Treblebass]**@LadyCatStark

I think you’re catastrophising Blackpool.

I can’t wait. Me and my family are well travelled, but it won’t stop us having fun for the night. It’s not like I’ll be taking them to the local stag bar at 1am. .

The local chippy maybe![/quote]
This. ^

@fat13 Ignore the hysteria and vitriol from @LadyCatStark about Blackpool. She clearly wandered into a rough spot there on a bad afternoon ONE TIME, and is now demonising it and ranting about what a chav-filled, drug-den it is. Pay no attention - I'm certainly not.

As you can see, most replies on here have been fairly positive. Yeah Blackpool ain't perfect and it has its rough areas, but so does every other bloody town and city.

I think some people forget that some people actually LIVE in Blackpool, and it's their home, In fact, almost 150,000 people live there, and it's grossly rude and offensive to label it a fucking shithole. How nasty.

@ivfbabymomma1 said, she lives there, and says some of it is lovely, (which it is,) including where she lives, and she is offended by the comments.

Some people should really think before they speak.

@speakout

I think Blackpool is like Marmite. I know people who love it and go back repeatedly. Other people don't like it.

It's fine to not be keen on it, but some people are just spiteful and nasty. Like a pp said, it's a snobbery thing. Some people on mumsnet would rather die than spend a day in a typical working class area, where there may be ... SHOCKER .... PEOPLE ON STATE BENEFITS!!!

@MyPatronusIsACat THANK YOU!!! I mean of course some areas aren't great like everywhere else in the world!? But some parts really are nice! I'm so used to comments about Blackpool that I almost didn't bite but I just can't help myself 😂

@MyPatronusIsACat 😂 yeah it’s not like I live less than half an hour away. It’s hardly “hysterical” to describe my experiences of walking along the main prom. The OP wanted to know what Blackpool is like so I told her my experiences. She can decide for herself whether it’s the kind of place she wants to go or not, as can I, as can you. Hardly hysterical 😂.

Also I never said drug filled or chav filled or shit hole so don’t put words into my mouth thank you.

[quote ivfbabymomma1]@MyPatronusIsACat THANK YOU!!! I mean of course some areas aren't great like everywhere else in the world!? But some parts really are nice! I'm so used to comments about Blackpool that I almost didn't bite but I just can't help myself 😂[/quote]
You're welcome.

I have been to Blackpool many times, over the past 40 years, and where you live - near Stanley park is just lovely. DH and I, and our kids when they were younger - have been to the park - and zoo a number of times. The houses around there are lovely.

The snobbery around Blackpool - from some - is disgusting. You get the same with Wolverhampton, and Birmingham sometimes too, and also Stoke, and Hull, and Newcastle... All from rude and obnoxious and judgemental people who have never even been - or have only been once or twice. And they are often (though not always,) southerners. Just so rude!

@Greenqueen40

You don't, people are being snobby. Part of the charm is a bnb within walking distance of everything, there is so much to do and see for young children and they absolutely love it, in fact mine preferred the mini break that we had to Blackpool over our main holiday to Dubai!

People do get very sniffy about Blackpool but if you go you have to accept that it's what it is, it can be great fun, especially during the 'Lights' and there are lots of other things to do too. If you want 'naice' then don't go, you'll strangle yourself clutching pearls! Apparently the road through the lights is open in both directions, it's worth parking up at the far North end and walking through the various tableaux, unless they've changed radically.

Thanks patronus - lights and fireworks! That sounds a great way to cheer up winter. I’m a light sleeper so would stay away from main area but otherwise sounds great.

@Serin

Ahh, sorry, I see the threads moved on. The Big Blue hotel is at the North end of Blackpool on the way to Lytham anyway! You'll be fine!

It's in South Shore.

I haven't read the entire thread but the big blue hotel is very tired looking now.

Try the Boulevard Hotel. Its much nicer than the big blue and is similarly priced.

Also plan your trip. So ensure you have something to do on each day that you are there.

We loved our family long weekends in Blackpool as teenagers, we always had one day at pleasure beach and one at the tower, and in between that seeing illuminations and a couple of low cost meals out. We stayed at the pied pipers b & b a few times, not sure if it’s still there now

Will check out Boulevard thx

Boulevard looks wonderful! Family rooms too.

It's okay for one night, For shows it is better to book online and try to book B and B near the front,
Last year I stayed in one on a side street that was dirty and looked like it was from the 70s.
However my grand daughter who is 7 loves it so we will be going to a family show at the Viva.

Last time i went was the only time i have seen a dead body.
in an alley. it was dreadful. Ambulance and police turned up eventually.
Overdose apparently
Not an experience I care to repeat.

crimerate.co.uk/lancashire/blackpool

Blackpool is heaps of fun, especially for kids. I grew up there and enjoyed a lovely childhood by the sea with lots of stuff to do.

I am under no illusion as to what kind of place it is. It's not posh, it's not sophisticated but it's my home and it's full of friendly, unpretentious, lovely people who love living by the seaside. We welcome tourists in their millions as we've done since Victorian times. It's our history, it's nostalgia for the holidays we had as children and it's our home.

If you don't like it (& I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea), don't go.

But you can fuck off with the covered in vomit/smells of wee/full of drunks snobby narrative. Blackpool is not an outlet for people to say what they are clearly dying to say about poor people/the working class/northerners.

Also, the fish & chips are banging.