To wonder if blackpool is as bad as they say?

[Chefpig]

I'm hoping to plan a short break somewhere and blackpool is cheap. Is it as bad as people say though?

Depends what you mean by 'bad' and what you want from the trip.

It's not exactly a 5 star holiday resort though 😅

I used to love Blackpool as a kid, i went back about 15 years ago with Dds for.a weekend it was fine during the day tne evening was dire and felt unsafe.

Yes, it’s very tatty, run down.

The area is very poor. And at this time of year it will be FREEZING. Like, uncomfortably cold along the sea front.

St Anne’s down the way is a bit more salubrious.

We stayed nearby (in beautiful Lytham - well recommended) but ventured into Blackpool a few times - it was absolutely awful. There's a reason it's cheap! It was dirty, run down, didn't feel safe, and we couldn't wait to leave!

It’s very depressed. My ex was from Blackpool and I got dragged up there regularly, hated it. DD also hates it and is relieved she doesn’t have to go any more.

My friend round the corner has in-laws that live there: he can’t wait to get home when he has to go there.

What sort of holiday are you looking for?

Blackpool is what it is. Yea it is an old run down beach resort but has so much going for it too. During the day with kids you can’t beat it. I love Blackpool I go without aires and graces and only go out in the daylight and have a fab time.

I hated it too. The place we stayed was nice. The beaches are gorgeous. But the place itself is miserable.

If there is somewhere just outside where you could go instead, maybe. But I'm never going back.

It’s awful. Junkies wandering around, incredibly run down, everywhere smells of piss. I wouldn’t go if you paid me

We’ve had some decent afternoons/evenings out there, when the illuminations are on- the prom and pier are quite pleasant in a family friendly/ tacky sort of way

would I stay overnight? Never

It always makes me think of the arctic monkey lyrics "they say it changes when the sun goes down".
When it becomes rough as fuck.

Honestly, it's probably worse than you think.

A friend went recently and said she felt really unsafe, even during the middle of the day. There were A LOT of hen and stag parties who didn't seem to care that that there were also families with children around.

I did this too. Visited a friend in Lytham - lovely. Went to Blackpool - never again. Dirty, run down, nothing but amusement arcades and slot machines (so that’s maybe ok if it’s your thing, it’s not mine).

Llandudno is lovely (probably not as cheap though).

Absolute shithole, don’t waste your money OP

Blackpool itself isn’t very nice but there’s plenty to do there especially with kids. I wouldn’t stay in the town centre.

That was our day out with our Dad as kids and we loved it! This was late 80s early 90s however. I took my own family and Dad a couple of years ago, my husband was utterly horrified (didnt match my child’s eye retelling of the magic) kids loved it (they only see, beach, illuminations and lots of sugar!) and was very nostalgic for me and my Dad! However it is very very sad looking, dirty, and quite an eye opener really, but I wouldn’t go back again and I certainly wouldn’t go out at night there.

Depends on what you want to do and see.
Parts are run down. But there are some lovely big hotels with entertainment in the evening.
Don't bother with the guest houses. Keep away from the nightclubs.
There is a good park (Stanley) rowing boats, crazy golf etc. A zoo.
Town centre is ok. You can walk a long way along the seafront.
In the summer dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Everyone who criticises more than likely only sees the bad and has not been for years.

I live well within day trip distance to Blackpool.
In 20 years been twice , once was because a relative was there for a short stay and we went to visit them . I've no plans to revisit again .

More information needed what are you looking for? Any children? Where are you coming from? When?

If short distance with children I'd say absolutely but better in good weather.

Go to the zoo, Stanley Park, the sandcastle water park is great, treasure Island arcade, stay in Bispham eat fish and chips at the Bispham kitchen also loads of good restaurants and places to drink there (terra nostra Italian sunam Indian). Not fancy, cheap, good food. Walk on the prom. I like walking in North shore so Clevelys Fleetwood anchorsholme but also south shore at St Ann's end.

Poulton le fylde also lovely place to stay but not seaside like Bispham or St Ann's ; ditto lytham.

Centre of Blackpool and off the prom is not great. Avoid.

The tower is good. You can go to bits of it but as a visitor I'd go up it. We used to just do jungle jims soft play the crazy golf then always enjoy the free floor of comedy on the prom outside. I still love reading all the quotes.

Pleasure beach I don't go nowadays because a lot of the rides are old and I'm a huge theme park fan so alton towers is more my speed. There's a few good rides but I rate it as expensive for the quality. The big one would still be good fun. Kids would enjoyit

If you stayed at South Shore, you can walk to St Anne’s, or into Blackpool.

It’s Central Blackpool that’s quite rough.

The pleasure beach is a good theme park. You can visit that without venturing into Blackpool itself .

We have been a couple of times and stayed overnight (Premier Inn is fine).

It's tacky but the tower is a good day out with the circus and the ballroom. We got a pass and also did Sealife Centre and Madam Tussauds. There's loads of other stuff to do, doughnuts are nice.

Children like the 2p machines in the arcade.

I like all sorts of things though. I'm happy with a McDonald's and also happy with a Michelin Starred Restaurant.

I go regularly to visit in laws. I don't think it's quite as bad as some PP are making out. It's cheap and cheerful in a seaside way. There's loads of attractions. Are you going with kids? There's a water park, rollercoasters, soft play, zoo, rnli dress up etc. which are all great. Dungeons and madame tussauds for adults/older kids. Lots of cheap places to eat including a lovely wetherspoons and fish & chips. Nice new cinema in the town centre. I have never felt unsafe although haven't been out late in the past 5 years. If you have a car, there are also good places to drive to e.g. farms, lake district, Garstang cheese, wallings ice cream. Finally, if you like walking, you can't beat the promenade. It goes for miles along the seafront. Good for kids as all proper surfaces so can scoot, etc. Great park at anchorsholme.

Edited to add. agree with PP about arcades. My DC have never been happier than with 50p worth of 2ps on a 2p machine. Good in all weathers.

NGL it's a dump but I stay there every summer for Lytham Festival as it's cheaper and always have a great time, I just accept it for what it is.
The Pleasure Beach is great if you like big rides and Madame Tussaudes is fun, I had a G&T with Deirdre Barlow last year!
Lytham and St Anne's are lovely though if you want somewhere close but much nicer

We live within day trip distance. We go for shows at the Winter Gardens/Opera House, Sandcastle water park and the Pleasure Beach. We occasionally stay over but in a nice hotel (Big Blue is ok).
I wouldn't go in order to go shopping or just mooch around, no.