Blackpool City Guide, Including Blackpool HotelsPosted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010 Introduction: Blackpool is one of Britain's most popular holiday destinations. It is a town full of roller-coasters, clubs, and even the biggest mirror ball in the world. Add this to the world-class shows, cosmopolitan restaurants, vibrant nightlife, an active sports scene and breathtakingly beautiful scenery on Blackpool's doorstep you begin to understand why Blackpool is so popular. If you feel you really need to get away from it all, have a leisurely stroll through the leafy Stanley Park, Blackpool's award-winning horticultural and wildlife treasure. Spot the cute, inquisitive, squirrels and take in the showpiece Italian Gardens or hire a boat and float away lazy summer afternoons beside the swans on Stanley Park's boating lake. Places of interest: A vast range of exciting attractions awaits you in Blackpool. Fill your days with adrenalin pumping thrills at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, or while away the hours at the water's edge in the subtropical Sandcastle Waterworld. Take a trip up to the top of the famous Blackpool Tower, or visit the menagerie of residents at Blackpool Zoo, come face to face with sharks at SeaLife Centre or hold audience with the Queen at Louis Tussaud's Waxworks. Blackpool Tower contains the UK's best circus, the world famous Tower Ballroom, children's entertainment plus Jungle Jim's Playground, Tower Top Ride and Undersea World. Blackpool Zoo, set amid 32 acres of maturing parkland and lakes, is home to over 1500 beautiful, rare and exotic animals from all around the world. With elephants, lions, otters, zebras, sea lions, tigers, kangaroos, many types of monkeys, plus all your animal favourites. With play areas, crafts, miniature railway, shops, picnic areas, it's an excellent value family day out. The Grundy Art Gallery hosts an annual programme of temporary exhibitions including traditional, modern and contemporary art and works from the Gallery's permanent collection. Sea Life Centre on Blackpool's famous Golden Mile houses one of Europe's largest marine collections with the 'Lost City of Atlantis' shark feature as the dramatic centrepiece. Louis Tussaud's Waxworks has an all-new CelebCity, where you can mingle with the stars and get closer to the A-list. Once you've walked the red carpet, you'll be immersed in a world of celebrity, rubbing shoulders with Hollywood's A List and the tabloid's favourites. Things to do: Blackpool is not just about the seaside and the associated funfairs, rides and sideshows. There is another side, as a base for adventure, experiences, shopping and outdoor pursuits. It is only an hour away from the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and close to the historic city of Lancaster and the shopping experiences of Manchester and Liverpool. The Blackpool Countryside Experience is a series of nature walks from Stanley Park through the Woodland Gardens, and linking to Marton Mere Nature Reserve. There is a wide variety of walks of differing lengths, ranging from a short stroll around Stanley Park, to a more challenging ramble. Comed Flight Training based at Blackpool airport gives you the opportunity to control an aeroplane and see the local area. You can take your friends with you, control the aeroplane as much or as little as you like and go where you want. Blackpool Illuminations - sum up with town with their sheer autumn magic. Blackpool's most electrifying night is when the Lights are switched on and the ceremony, a real razzmatazz showcase, has been performed by all the biggest names. You can enjoy a grandstand seat aboard a cleverly disguised tram - such as a Wild West Train or Space Rocket - where you actually become part of the display as you travel along the Promenade. Stanley Park is where you will find stone statues star with formal borders and frothing fountains in the show piece Italian Gardens. There are pathways galore leading to quiet corners, while bridges carry you across the lake, home to a variety of hire boats and bobbing birds. There is a playground for the children and all the family can enjoy the likes of pitch & putt, tennis. Food & Drink: Whether it is a pre-show meal or dinner, or fish and chips, fast food or traditional seafood that you want it is all in Blackpool to complete a culinary experience that's second to none. In Blackpool you can enjoy fine food from around the world with scores of restaurants offering everything from Caribbean to Mandarin, Indian to Italian. And of course, Blackpool has more than 30 clubs and fun-pubs alongside countless welcoming inns ensuring everyone has a great night out. Autumn Leaves Restaurant serves consistently high quality freshly prepared food, with a wonderfully varied A La Carte menu. The weekly changing specials board always boasts an impressive array of fresh fish and steak specialities. Vegan and vegetarians are well catered for by an imaginative selection of dishes, all coupled with a friendly atmosphere. Cafe Ambience is a friendly Mediterranean style restaurant specialising in Anglo-European cuisine with all meals cooked from fresh ingredients. Parties are catered for in a professional and comfortable environment. There is a full restaurant license with a large wine list and beers on draught. Seniors NW LTD is a cutting edge traditional Fish & Chip Shop specialising in increasing fish variety, including turbot and Dover sole, for your enjoyment. Alabama Showboat is within the Libertys Hotel, this venue featuring an outrageous host. A full floor show with the Kristie Speed dancers and some of UK's top vocalists appear there most weeknights. Jaggy Thistle is a goodtime fun bar with a distinctly Scottish flavour. Traditionally a home from home for Scottish visitors to Blackpool, the Jaggy Thistle extends a warm welcome to everyone who enjoys a friendly drink during the day or a fun packed night out. Mitre Public House is a traditional town centre public house & doubles bar. It is probably the smallest town centre pub though it has a big atmosphere. Blackpool Hotels & Accommodation: Blackpool offers a variety of types of accommodation for the discerning tourist including - from four-star luxury to homely bed and breakfasts, flats and apartment, caravan and camping - whether you're planning a relaxing weekend getaway or an action packed family holiday, Blackpool can offer you the perfect 'short break' or holiday by the sea. The resort has 120,000 holiday beds, which is more than the whole of Portugal. With over 16.8 million visitors to Blackpool each year, there are now 3500 hotels, guest houses and self-catering units in the resort. The Danescourt Hotel ( PLEASURE BEACH) Entertainment: Blackpool has a wide selection of shows, night clubs and pubs available providing a broad range of entertainment to suit most tastes. But don't think the younger generation has all the fun. Remember, the famous Tower Ballroom has been the perfect partner for more traditional dancing steps for a century. The Grand Theatre continued success is based on conserving the integrity of the irreplaceable Grade II* Listed Victorian theatre, and welcoming theatregoers by presenting a discerning programme of popular, thought-provoking and progressive theatre for Blackpool and the North West. Blackpool's Winter Gardens gilded exuberance makes it one of the most amazing buildings in the world. As if being Britain's biggest theatre was not enough, it is crammed with bits and pieces from dream palaces of a dozen ages and cultures. The Winter Gardens is partly Tudor England, partly Strauss's Vienna, partly Seville in its golden age, partly ancient Rome. This four acre site also houses the Empress Ballroom and Opera House. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has something for everyone. There are over 145 rides and attractions plus spectacular shows, including the world renowned Hot Ice at the Arena, the famous Mystique cabaret of magic and illusion at the Horseshoe, and the internationally acclaimed Eclipse at the Globe Theatre. Blackpool is not just a seaside resort; it offers something for all ages. There is always something going on whether you prefer to do or watch. A perfect place to stay, as a base for touring the North West of England or, as a final destination to enjoy all that Blackpool has to offer. Like it? Share it! More by this author |