Let's go to Blackpool
Wednesday 9 December 2009
The Christmas holidays are just around the corner. Not got any plans yet? Go to Blackpool!
Where is it?
Blackpool in Lancashire is the most famous seaside town in England with over 140,000 locals.
The town is easy to get to by car and rail, and isn’t very far from Manchester or Liverpool either.
Let’s go to the seaside
Just because it’s not warm enough to wear a swimsuit, doesn’t mean you can’t visit the seaside. Blackpool is well known for the Promenade, a seven mile stretch of sand and sea.
The Promenade is split into three different areas – north, central and south shores. Head to the north shore for old school Blackpool where you'll find many of the Victorian style buildings still standing. On the south shore it's more modern with the world’s biggest rotating mirrorball and the wave powered musical organ.
Let’s go to the beach
Pleasure Beach is one of Blackpool’s top attractions. There are over 125 adrenaline rushing rides, from the white-knuckle Big One to the latest ride, Infusion. Make the most out of the special offers. A daily unlimited wristband gives you an all access pass to every ride. Check out the details.
If you prefer something a little more chilled then take a tour around the beach.
Let’s go to the tower
One of the town's most iconic spots is the Blackpool Tower. It was built over 100 years ago and looks like a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The tower is 518 feet tall and is so high that you can see it from Liverpool and Manchester.
‘The Walk of Faith’ is located 380ft up the tower. At the top there is a glass plate where you can stand and look right down to the bottom. Don’t look unless you’re prepared. It’s a long way between you and the ground.
Let’s get spooked
Legend has it that Blackpool is haunted. Staff at Pleasure Beach have reported ghost sightings and the random sound of clogs. Plus, the Ghost Train is supposedly haunted by a member of staff who passed away 30 years ago!
Loads of tours run throughout the year. They started off in 2006 and have become very popular. They now take in more locations such as the Blackpool Zoo, Winter Gardens and the Grand Theatre. Visit Super Natural Events if you’re up for a little fright.
Let’s get illuminated
Blackpool Illuminations is a free light show that has taken place since 1879. It began as a display featuring eight lamps. The Illuminations are now made up of more than 400,000 lights that stretch 74 miles through Blackpool. The show kicks off every year with the Big Switch On, when thousands of locals gather to catch a glimpse of a celebrity turning the lights on. This year Alan Carr pressed the switch.
This year’s show has come and gone, but next year’s event has already been scheduled for 3rd September – 7th November. If you can’t wait that long, then join Friends of the Illuminations to get a heads up on year-round events.
Let’s sleb-spot
Check out the celebs who have a Blackpool connection:-
- Miley Cyrus was recently spotted coming out of a cafe.
- Sir Authur Conan Doyle studied at a Lancashire college.
- Westlife, Ronan Keating, Blue and Alan Carr are just some of the celebs who’ve taken part in the Big Switch On.
