When I heard the announcement “Ta Ta” as I stepped off the train at Blackpool Pleasure Beach station, I smiled. I knew I was in the north of England, where life moves at a more comfortable, slower pace than London. With the iconic Tower stretching to the sky and the neon lights winking colour shades along the shore, I was immediately taken back to my younger years, to the excitement of the family seaside holiday. I had returned to Blackpool to relive my childhood memories in just 48 hours.
This Lancashire town is like a miniature Las Vegas, less glamourous, more real, advertising pink and white rock, fish and chips (with mushy peas of course), amusement parks and souvenir shops with fridge magnets galore. There was bubble gum and coconut ice fudge piled high in a triangular shape in shop window displays, sulky donkeys on the beach and the slot machines with those tuppence slots along the piers elongating the leisure entertainment out to sea. It’s easy to get around with frequent trams gliding parallel to the shore every 10 minutes, (£6.60 for a day ticket), managed by friendly and helpful conductors.
The Tower is the epic centre of town. I signed up for the Heritage Tour which proved fascinating and full of historical facts. It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and built for the growing demand for leisure back when it opened in 1894, and proved a major engineering project of its time. It stands 518 ft high with a Victorian circus at its base. It continues to attract families to watch the acrobatic acts clad in glittery leotards, juggling performers and vividly dressed clowns. The animal parades of tigers and lions directed by the ring masters remain in the past. The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, with its sprung dance floor promotes itself annually courtesy of Strictly Come Dancing but outside this TV limelight it is well worth spending time to watch dancing throughout the day while savouring afternoon tea in the glamour of its interior.
Nearby, standing regally, are the Winter Gardens which opened in 1878 in architectural splendour. A Grade II listed building, it houses the Opera House, the famous Empress Ballroom and a range of public spaces inside an Art Deco style. The Victorian Blackpool Grand Theatre, Lancashire’s premier touring theatre and arts centre, houses a four-level auditorium which features ornate, gilded plasterwork, a baroque ceiling with cavorting cherubs, while cantilevered balconies allow every seat a view of the stage. It’s one of the few remaining theatres designed by Frank Matcham who also is linked to The Tower Circus, Ballroom and The Tower Tea Rooms.
As a child I can remember the thrill of the bumper cars and the scary ghost train, but the adrenaline factor is soon to be boosted with the announcement of a new £8.72m ride, which will be the biggest of its kind in the UK. As for the Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic ride, there are to be more scenes added from the BAFTA award film, Vengeance Most Fowl.
I stayed at The Boulevard Hotel ideally located on Ocean Boulevard, side by side with the Pleasure Beach Resort and on the quieter edge of the town. It’s a contemporary, luxury hotel with 120 guest rooms which opened in 2019 with stylish public areas, a gym and the Beachside Restaurant and Bar. I can understand why it was voted the Best Luxury Hotel in Northern Europe and Britain’s Best Luxury Lifestyle Hotel 2024. My room was one of those rooms too comfortable to leave, with a spacious bathroom, including TV entertainment, and elegant, tasteful interiors using Designers Guild fabrics and Tom Purvis artwork. Some rooms enjoy live entertainment from their windows with rollercoasters zipping up and over, great for children, while mine provided coastal sea views in the day and twinkling lights of Blackpool Illuminations at night. The illuminations light up six miles of traditional festoons and interactive features along the Promenade – no wonder it’s commonly known as the greatest free light show on Earth and continue to shine every evening until January 4th.
Where to eat
The Beachside Restaurant in the hotel is excellent with generous portions served by efficient staff amidst its relaxing décor. It sits alongside the lounge and bar. Try the cheese soufflé with shredded beetroot or charred mackerel, pan seared sea bass with chorizo and apple salsa or a choice of the grills, (sirloin, ribeye or fillet) or 285g bone in pork chop with sauces.
The White Tower enjoys panoramic views over the promenade from its penthouse position in the Casino Building. It’s dressed in calming neutral tones, featuring a sunken bar, an open fire in the winter and accessed by a private lift entrance. The fine dining menu serves local produce in this intimate setting and highly recommended. Try the prawn and Ddill crusted cod loin, honey roast roots and the wild berry crumble. Or for more casual food, the town is dotted with fish n chip eateries and take-aways serving scampi, battered sausage, meat and pot pies and gravy.
Today, Blackpool is still grabbing the limelight with the filming of Britain’s Got Talent in the Winter Gardens and Strictly Come Dancing in the Tower Ballroom. And it remains a seaside holiday destination for families who continue its legendary reputation in the north west of England, whether it’s to waltz in the ballroom, play crazy golf or walk along the promenade. Ta Ta!
Next steps
To plan and book your nostalgic Blackpool trip, call Silver Travel Advisor on 0800 412 5678.
