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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Blackpool?!

59 replies

HamCob · 11/04/2022 20:04

My mum has been desperate to take her grandchildren to Blackpool to see the illuminations for a couple of years now (we would go as a family of 4 plus my parents) I've been putting her off as I'm really not keen but I'm starting to feel like I'm being a bit mean as there won't really be many more years we can go.
We would go midweek for 2 nights so hopefully would avoid the stag dos etc.

Has anyone been with kids within the last couple of years and was it ok? We've been in a couple of day trips to skeggy and the like and I don't mind that sort of vibe?

Any hotel recommendations also welcome - Ribby hall is out as it's too far from the centre.

OP posts:
Amybelle88 · 11/04/2022 22:16

Oh it's an absolute hell hole but then quite a lot of fun at the same time.

However, I'm in the NW so it doesn't take me too long to get there and therefore leave when I've had enough.

I wouldn't travel from too far afield but if you're close you'll probably have a laugh and a good time whilst also feeling shocked/saddened at how the vast majority of the town is a shit tip.

ethelredonagoodday · 11/04/2022 22:19

@MustDust

Oh give over the lot of you, yeah it's not Marbella but you can have a lovely time. Illuminations switch on tends to be about 2nd week in September, but if you're cyclists you can ride the lights one night a bit earlier. Depending on the age of the kids I'd agree a midweek stay, there's the zoo, Madame Tussauds, Sealife, Blackpool Tower and Sandcastle water park which are all fab, if you're into roller coasters The Pleasure Beach is good but I'll be honest it's no Alton Towers. Agree don't stay in town but look where the tram goes to for options, Lytham St Anne's is a lovely place with a great park for kids too.
Agree, the park at Lytham (Park View 4 U - I think it's called) is really good.
San141 · 11/04/2022 22:23

I'm taking my 5 year old for a day out at the end of this month (four trains) its a change, if I could afford it we would do the sealife centre or the zoo! If you do the zoo there's a park and another small attraction close by x

IWasFunBeforeMum · 11/04/2022 22:28

Oh the moaners on here! The kids will love it for a night or two with the lights. The town centre is fine. We did it last November and stayed in a lovely Airbnb. The kids loved it especially the tram up and down the promenade. How are these UK towns ever going to recover if people constantly slate them?! Oh and we didn't see one stag/hen party. Go and have fun!

MumzeeSaz · 12/04/2022 17:16

Bit late to the party - Don't know the area but I understand that there is loads to do in Blackpool - Dungeon, Blackpool Tower Ball Room, Sea Life, Madam Tussauds etc

User48751490 · 12/04/2022 17:21

Great for children, rubbish for majority of parents. I send DH with the DC and I stay at home. Perfect arrangement.

ItsPrettyObvious · 12/04/2022 17:25

It's an absolute shithole

LadyCatStark · 12/04/2022 17:35

I live half an hour away and last time I told the truth about my very recent experience I was told I was lying/ never leave my house/ must have got lost in a back street (none of these were true). I won’t be going back in a hurry except to Stanley Park but you my be able to make the best of it. For beaches, I’d rather go to Cleveleys, St Anne’s, Lytham or even Fleetwood.

trevthecat · 12/04/2022 17:38

I live in Blackpool, born and raised. Yes it has its issues but just don't go out of the tourist areas and you will be fine! The big blue is lovely. I live very close. St annes is really nice, I would recommend the Dalmeny Hotel. Also st annes sea front is good for kids. Check the times of the lights as they are switched on at different times, as the weeks go on it gets earlier. Have a great time, it's not as bad as mn would have you believe

Peabody25 · 12/04/2022 18:00

We go and we've stayed here www.village-hotels.co.uk/blackpool so it's not right in the centre, and opposite Stanley park and Blackpool zoo which are both nice. There's also a soft play attached to the zoo which is good if it rains. I wouldn't want to stay in Blackpool itself but it's fine during the day.

We've also stayed in lytham and at Anne's and driven in so we get the best of both worlds. It's a lovely beach and plenty of nice places to eat. The park view 4u park is really good as well. Play areas for all ages and a nice cafe.

Justleaveitblankthen · 12/04/2022 18:12

@Kendodd

I went to Blackpool once when I was a child. A big fat woman fell on top of me in the street. I haven't been back.

This is the best quote I have read in a long time!
Thanks so much 😂😅

howtomoveforwards · 12/04/2022 19:12

fabulous for children. Loads to do - seafront arcades, tower, sandcastle waterpark, Pleasure Beach, 3 piers, Madame Tussauds, SeaLife Centre and of course, the Blackpool Tower with the ballroom (my boys used to be happy watching the dancing for a good hour, longer if allowed a drink and piece of cake!), plenty of fish and chip places. Also the zoo, a beautiful park and a model village which is fun to see. There is loads to do for a 2-3 days. There are some good hotels now - the two most mentioned are at the Pleasure Beach - the Big Blue Hotel and the Boulevard Hotel. Here is a Hilton a bit further along from those two and there is also the hotel at the football ground (and one across the road - I think it's a travel lodge or some other big name). Also the Village had some kudos but not sure that's the case anymore - I'd have a look. There are a couple of golf courses and of course, St Annes and Lytham are very nearby if you want to stay somewhere more upmarket.

Is it a shit hole? Yes. But it's fun if you have enough cash to throw at it.

EatTheToast · 12/04/2022 19:16

I took the kids over the Christmas break. It's fine mid week. We just avoid town in the evenings. We stayed in the beach house apartments in Bispham. You're much better off staying at that side and getting the tram in.

1AngelicFruitCake · 12/04/2022 19:27

Some snobs on here! How would you feel if you saw the place you live being described so nastily?!

I visit Blackpool once or twice a year. I like walking along the front, going on the piers and walking on past the north pier where it’s quieter on the front. Fish and chips and illuminations to finish.

thethoughtfox · 12/04/2022 20:05

We had an amazing time. You have to just enjoy it for what it is. We stayed in the Doubletree Hilton which was lovely. The beach at that end was empty and spotless. Turns out to be quite good fun shooting zombies at the arcade with the kids. The Pleasure Beach was great fun for little kids: all the rides for them were grouped together in the Nickelodeon Land bit. It was unexpectedly lovely eating gourmet burgers and hallumi fries in the sun while the kids ran in and out of the water fountains.

We booked The Bank Bar and Grill that someone mentioned upthread for dinner and it was fantastic.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/04/2022 21:05

1AngelicFruitCake

Some snobs on here! How would you feel if you saw the place you live being described so nastily?!“

Can see the Tower from our attic window.

The place is a dump.

Terriblecreature · 12/04/2022 21:13

I have been 3 times in the last 6 months but j actually stay in St Anne's and take the car the 5 mins into Blackpool. I can't lie Blackpool itself isn't great. We love the pleasure beach, zoo, sea life centre etc but apart from that we tend to stay St Anne's/Lytham way. We stay in hotel apartments called Hy Hotel. They r fantastic. My kids absolutely love it. Even the pier in St.Anne's and the beach r great

Terriblecreature · 12/04/2022 21:17

Sorry 3 times in the last 18 months 😂

miltonj · 13/04/2022 09:16

It's brilliant and the kids will have a great time!

0atbiscuit · 13/04/2022 09:27

It's not Brighton but as long as you go knowing that it'll be fine

Funf · 14/04/2022 20:36

As above really its mixed and not for every one, just embrace it for what it is, get the tram through the lights, have Chips Fun Fair etc
Personally I would stay in Liverpool or the lakes and just
drive up as it is quite run down in places.
Liverpool is very vibrant with loads going on and some great value attractions.
www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/

sophienelisse · 14/04/2022 21:07

It's the Las Vegas of the north.

I enjoy it. You know what you are getting. Tat. But it's good fun for a couple of days. Kids always have a good time.

Just avoid the bars of a night.

Just do not go with a view that it is going to be any kind of posh it is not. But it's great.

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/04/2022 20:35

0atbiscuit

It's not Brighton but as long as you go knowing that it'll be fine“

Don’t understand Brighton, either. Sorry. Uncomfortable pebble beach, really shabby town centre and very overpriced accommodation.

We live near Blackpool, I’ve expressed my opinions about the town already but if you've young ones and are looking for a bucket and spade holiday, the sandy beaches are very good, with even nicer ones a 20 minute bus ride away.

Just don’t take them out along the prom after teatime (especially on Friday/Saturday nights during hen/stag season. I’m so not a prude but honestly, once they’ve seen it, it can’t be unseen!)

cheeseandbiscu1ts · 15/04/2022 20:44

We've been there today for a day out and we had a lovely time! Lots for kids to do

MrsDThomas · 16/04/2022 18:08

Blackpool is the place to go, so you realise you should never go back, and only then you can say its a shithole.