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?

Sounds like a lot of places tbh.

I grew up in Blackpool and have a lot of love for the general area, lots of nice places surrounding the town, which might surprise some MNers. And depending what you're looking for, it's still possible to have a great time there. The theatres are excellent, for one thing.

When I go back these days, though, I notice how much the town centre has gone downhill and it saddens me. That's not meant judgementally: there's less work available for residents now, the town and its inhabitants are struggling, and it's showing. I used to go out at night all the time in Blackpool as a young thing (i.e. decades ago 😄) and would happily walk around alone and not feel unsafe... not so much now.

I think it really depends what you're hoping to get out of the trip. Agree with pp who commented that St Annes is a bit nicer.

I travelled all around the mid east on my own when I was younger. Ive also lived on some tough council estates when I was a mature student. I would not fancy a night in Blackpool. Seedy, dirty and run down.

Out of interest, whereabouts in Blackpool was that? No need to answer, I'm just posing the question because generally speaking (and without meaning to insult anyone) the further south you go in Blackpool the more run-down places you're likely to find, ime as a former local. North shore is better, again generally speaking.

It's one of the most deprived towns in the UK and has been for a number of years now. It wouldn't be my first choice (yes, I have been).

Of all the threads I read on Mumsnet, often the nastiest comments are on places in the Uk and Blackpool is always a target.

I know of families where Blackpool is their big holiday for the year. Is it rundown? Yes but there’s lots of positives. The illuminations, walk on the prom, events throughout the year, the fireworks etc.

Anyone calling Blackpool a ‘shithole’ needs to remember there are people who live there.

It’s a dump. We went twice last year, once for the illuminations and once for the Julia Donaldson soft play thing for DS’s birthday. It’s rough. DC enjoyed it nevertheless but yeah it’s always been rough and ready, nothing has changed. Many coastal towns are like this though, they’re like the towns time forgot.

I agree with you, this thread seems a bit harsh!
I'm not from Blackpool, but I used to love going there as a kid and visiting the Pleasure Beach, Tower etc and especially the illuminations.
I've recently been back a few times as an adult and yes, it's a bit run down but it's what you make it. Don't go in with expectations of it being 5 star etc and you'll have a great time.
We stayed overnight in a lovely guest house near the Pleasure Beach, and had a great couple of days.
Went to the circus in the Tower, and also up to the top (that glass floor though 😳😭) wuss
Spent hours being amused by the quotes on the Comedy Carpet opposite.
Central Pier for a few drinks on a night.
Some of the comments on here are just bloody ridiculous "The accent's vile!" WTF 🙄

the towns time forgot

seaside towns are the towns public investment forgot. It's the result of consistent underinvestment in services in these areas. It's a scandal.

@naematesi agree! I went a lot in the 80s as had family nearby and going back as an adult was so sad.

Jungle gym in the Tower seemed amazing to me. I don’t think soft plays had really taken off then and the illuminations were beautiful. Now they’re everywhere at Christmas and not at all special. The 80s was a simpler childhood 👵

Saying that, the circus in the Tower some 15 years ago was fun. I still hold those memories dear and try and mostly forget the return visits.

Totally depends what you are looking for, OP.

I am just back from a weekend there with my boyfriend (both late 40s).

Our objectives were:

• somewhere affordable to get away for a couple of nights - I am dealing with a bereavement and felt some distance would help.
• somewhere with lots of beach where his dog could go for a good run.

We found a lovely, pet-friendly apartment right on the sea front, for well under £100 a night. It had cooking facilities which we really wanted as we are both trying to eat more healthily.....

And the weekend was great, in that it offered us everything we wanted. Time on the beach with the dog. I spent some time shopping. (The town is decent, has most shops you would expect in a large town, and a decent range of charity shops too).

We had a little excursion on the tram, just to see a bit more of the place - the sea front tram is an affordable and pleasant way to see the sights.

To be fair, a lot of our time was spent in the apartment, watching films/reading etc.

We were smack bang in the middle of town, and weren't woken up at night by drunken revellers or anything. No idea if this would be different in summer. To be fair, we did consider going out to a pub, and were only prevented by our own laziness, not because we felt it would have been awful! But we aren't shrinking violets - I live in what would be considered by a lot of Mumsentterrs to be a "rough" neighbourhood, possibly. Not that there is anything especially "rough" about me I don't think - I am a normal professional woman in her 40s - but I don't know, maybe less bothered by things being a bit run down/shoddy than most?

Anyhow, based on this experience (first time I had stayed in Blackpool) I might take my teenage daughter for a couple of nights in the summer - I saw nothing to put me off!

I have never been to Blackpool so I can't help you there I'm afraid OP.

But can we PLEASE stop using the words junkie/junkies? It is dehumanising :( Imagine if people were talking about your DC in that way?

I work with/volunteer with people who use alcohol/drugs and the vast majority use due to trauma (often childhood trauma-sexual abuse/rape) so a little compassion would go a long way.

There but for the grace of God go I.

I hope you have a nice time OP if you do decide to visit Blackpool or wherever you go :)

I wouldn’t take my LO to Blackpool if you paid us! My DH grew up going on holiday to Blackpool as they didn’t have much money and he says he would have rather stayed at home. Children running around everywhere unsupervised, unpleasant atmosphere, the worry about unsavoury characters you see wandering around etc- this is as of recently.

If we were to do a UK holiday I would rather go to a quiet seaside town without massive attractions and hoards of people. Get fish and chips, play on the beach and go for walks in nature.

Agree, I said unsavoury characters as that can include those with behavioural issues, addiction, mental illness or lifestyle choices that negatively affect the way they behave.

It’s absolutely not just drug users causing the issues in Blackpool.

I wouldn’t take my LO to Blackpool if you paid us! My DH grew up going on holiday to Blackpool as they didn’t have much money and he says he would have rather stayed at home

Well, that just shows how we're all different, doesn't it. He might have hated it as a kid and wanted to stay at home instead, but I used to love Blackpool as a child.
The Pleasure Beach (that laughing police man and the Funhouse were my favourites)
A soft play area in the Tower (think it was called Jungle Jim or something like that)
and the Sandcastle water park.
Stick of rock and a walk along the beach.
Great days!

Definitely a huge exaggeration.

"Shithole", some of these people haven't travelled. And you don't need to have seen an actual shithole up close either, just watch videos on YouTube for footage of various places around the world. Crime riddled major cities with favelas, shanty towns, shacks, thousands of homes surrounding them (in the case of Rio de Janiero overlooking it).

I also have very fond memories of visiting Blackpool as a child and get a huge wave of nostalgia when we visit.
My 11 year old loves it too and asks to go at least once a year.

I went to Blackpool once, never again. It had such a drab and depressing vibe. It’s a dump.

Yes it is.

I haven't rtft but I would say stay in St Anne's and travel in and out for activities during the day 😊

Blackpool resident here!! Yes it has its areas that are rough. But the tourist areas are great fun, safe and like any other tourist town. We live in south shore, its quiet, clean and loads to do.

I am originally from lytham, just down the road, yes it's nicer, posher, but not the same vibe!

Well, you're entitled to your opinion, but you appear to be looking down on people who live in Blackpool in this post, not just the place itself – and to criticise the local accent, while I actually agree it's quite jarring on the ears, makes you come off rather snobby tbh.

Hope you’re not feeling too offended by this thread. Me and my kids had the best week there.

Blackpool is a great place to go on holiday if you’ve got kids with you, and it’s good for a hen weekend (or indeed a stag, I should imagine) but for a holiday just as “ordinary” adults I’d give it a miss.

It’s surprisingly expensive though, I’ll say that.

Lytham is lovely and can do a day trip to Blackpool. Southport is nicer than Blackpool to stay