'''Blackpool''' [http://www.blackpool.gov.uk] is a seaside resort town in the North West of England.
Understand
Over 6 million people visit Blackpool each year, making it Britain's number one holiday resort. Many come for the two largest attractions, '''Blackpool Pleasure Beach''' and '''Blackpool Tower''', although the town features many other smaller attractions including three piers, numerous amusement arcades, seven miles of beaches and pedestrian promenade, and a vibrant nightlife.
Following a heyday in the first half of the twentieth century as the working classes gained freedom and disposable income, Blackpool has struggled to find a new role with the advent of package holidays to the mediterranean. It has long used the '''Blackpool Illuminations''' light show to extend its tourist season into the autumn months, and has recently been campaigning the government to allow the redevelopment of its central seafront "'''Golden Mile'''" with Las Vegas-style casino hotels in an attempt to become a gambling haven.
While many go to Blackpool nowadays for party weekends (often hen or stag groups), an older clientele enjoys the nostalgia of the town. The '''Tower Ballroom''' remains a global mecca for ballroom dancing and many remember Reginald Dixon playing his Wurlitzer organ with songs such as "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside" - synonymous with the town.
Get in
By car
Blackpool is reached via the '''M55''' from the '''M6'''.
By bus
Local bus services run from Preston, Lancaster, Southport and Fleetwood.
Long distance bus services, and charters, run from virtually everywhere in Great Britain.
By train
The trains run to Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations from Preston and many other destinations. Blackpool North is the main station but for a day trip to the Pleasure Beach, change at Kirkham and take the Blackpool South line; the last station before Blackpool South is the Pleasure Beach.
By plane
Blackpool has its own airport with scheduled flights to/from Alicante, Belfast, Dublin, Faro, Geneva, Girona, Ibiza, Isle of Man, Mahon, Malaga, Murcia, Mallorca, and Tenerife.
An increasing number of charter flights now operate from Blackpool Airport.
Blackpool Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the UK and is served by budget airlines Jet2 and Ryanair.
By boat
The closest ferries from Blackpool are Fleetwood to Larne and Heysham (near Morecambe) to Douglas (Isle of Man) and Belfast, operating in Summer only.
Get around
The '''Blackpool Tramway''' has antique electric trams on its original 1885 tram system which runs along the complete length of the sea front from Starr Gate near Blackpool Airport to Fleetwood at the northern end of the Fylde coast.
Horse-drawn "landaus" offer an old-fashioned alternative to modern taxis for journeys along the seafront.
See
'''Blackpool Tower''', [http://www.theblackpooltower.co.uk/] - a Victorian alike of the '''Eiffel Tower''', the view from the top is worth seeing, but gets busy at the peak of the tourist season. Blackpool Tower is one of the famous towers in the UK. Once inside, you climb through seven levels of attractions, including a circus, bug zone, Out of This World, aquarium, and ballroom (for you film buffs, this is the lavish ballroom seen in the 1996 Japanese film ''Shall We Dance?''), before going up in a glass elevator to the observation deck.
'''The Piers''' [http://www.eblackpool.com/blackpoolpiers] - Blackpool is the only British resort with three piers. The North pier costs 50p to go on, and is relaxed. The central pier has something for everyone, and the South Pier is loud and rollicky. North Pier is the oldest and largest of the three coastal piers in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.
'''Blackpool Pleasure Beach''' [http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/] is perhaps Britain's largest funfair, with eleven roller-coasters including the original Roller Coaster which gave the rides their name. This has been eclipsed by more modern coasters, including Britain's tallest roller coaster ride the "Pepsi Max Big One" (more commonly known simply as "The Big One") which is over 200 feet high. Other roller coasters include the Irn Bru Revolution and Big Dipper. Rides require 2-9 __1 tickets, or a __30 all day wristband, which is a few pounds cheaper when bought online. As well as the adult rides, children's rides area, and sidestalls, the park also has some excellent architecture to see. The park began life as a funfair on the sands in the Victorian era, and by the 1930s some permanent buildings arrived in the style of the day - Art Deco. In particular don't miss the station of the Roller Coaster ride, and the White Tower at the south entrance to the park, both of which have "streamline moderne" influences just like some of the classic trams which operate on the seafront nearby.
'''Blackpool Pleasure Beach Discount Voucher Codes''' [http://www.norbreckcastle.com/blackpoolforum/4533433705]Discount Codes can be found at the popular Blackpool Forum for the Pleasure Beach, Tower and Sancastle Water Park
Do
'''The Winter Gardens''', [http://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/]
Many shows are happening at the Winter Gardens this year including Russell Brand and Blackpool Fringe
'''Blackpool Pleasure Beach''' - fun fair and roller coaster rides.
'''The Grand Theatre''', A 1100-seat theatre designed by Frank Matcham in 1894, [http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/index.php]
Go to watch the town's long suffering football team Blackpool FC play at Bloomfield Road and witness their recent revival!
Dancing on Ice - a popular ice show located near blackpool pleasure beach.
Have a donkey ride on the sands.
'''What's on in Blackpool''', [http://www.eblackpool.com/blackpoollive] month by month view Blackpool Events
Blackpool Illuminations. ttp://www.twilightblue.eu/en/articles/blackpool-illuminations.aspx. ree. Stretching for 6 miles along the Blackpool Promenade 'The Lights', as they're fondly called, consist of spectacular displays using over one million light bulbs. A vast collection of characters and themes are displayed, along with lasers, and searchlights.
Buy
A stick of Blackpool rock(candy) and a mandatory "Kiss Me Quick" hat on Blackpool's Golden Mile.
Eat
Fish and Chips. Chippys are everywhere in Blackpool. Along all the piers and the seafront it is impossible to walk along wthout passing dozens of chippys.
Harry Ramsden's. 0-63 The Promenade, FY1 4QU. 1253 294386. ttp://www.harryramsdens.co.uk/. 1:30 - 21:00 Sunday to Thursday. 22:00 close Friday and Saturday. Part of the "world famous" Harry Ramsden's chain located on the promenade. Ideally located near many of Blackpool's attractions and the sea front. Offers eat-in and take away services.
Mandarin. 7 Clifton Street, Blackpool, FY1 1JD. 1253 622687. ttp://www.blackpoolmandarin.co.uk. Award winning Cantonese restaurant established over 46 years ago. A regular recommendation from hotel owners and taxi drivers.
Drink
Blackpool's night life is varied and numerous. There are clubs and pubs to suit everybody who comes to Blackpool looking for an evening out, With so much going on in Blackpool it is difficult to decide where to go.
The famous '''Funny Girls''' transvestite show bar.
'''Blue Room''', opposite Syndicate nightclub.
'''The Last Orders pub''', in North Shore. Drink with the locals.
'''Syndicate superclub'''. largest nightclub in britain with a revolving dance floor.
'''Sanuk'''. Another popular nightclub with young people, on the front near the north pier
'''Tache'''. Blackpool's alternative/rock night club. Behind blackpool bus station.
Stay safe
Visits to Blackpool are generally incident-free. During Friday and Saturday nights, the busiest areas of the town centre such as Talbot Square and Queen Street can become very crowded and somewhat rowdy, but there is a large and generally good-natured police presence. The sea front and piers are usually crowded so are generally safe.
You should take care in the Central Drive area at night, and avoid back-alleys anywhere in the town centre after dark. In particular there are a small number of street prostitutes operating in these areas after 11PM, whose modus operandi is to approach single males who are under the influence of alcohol. Do not accept any offers of sex; you will be risking being mugged by the prostitute and/or a male accomplice.
Gay male visitors should avoid the Middle Walk cruising area; a gay man was recently murdered here and there have been several violent homophobic attacks. Lighting in this area has been improved and there are regular police patrols. Note that the "gay quarter" around Talbot Road, Dickson Road and Queen Street is as safe as the rest of the town centre. It is now being heavly monitored with cctv as well.
Sleep
It used to be said that Blackpool had a million tourist beds. These were mostly in small guest houses, and these have changed as customer expectations have increased - most have renovated simple bedrooms into en suite rooms, typically turning three rooms into two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. Blackpool still enjoys a huge number of beds, and this keeps the market competitive and the prices low.
At the higher end of things, Blackpool has a number of larger hotels, including the '''Imperial Hotel''' which is used by politicians during political party conferences which take place at the Winter Gardens.
Self Catering
'''Marton Mere Caravan Park''', (''Marton Mere Holiday Village''), Mythop Road, FY4 4XN. (3 Miles from Blackpool) Tel:''+44 1253'' 767544, [http://www.haven.com/parks/north_wales_blackpool/marton_mere/].
'''Ashdean Holiday Flats''', 42 Dean Street, Tel:''+44 1253'' 345640, [http://www.ashdeanblackpool.co.uk/].
'''Cleveland Court Holiday Apartments''', 23 Withnell Road, Tel:''+44 1253'' 348406, [http://www.clevelandcourt.co.uk]
'''Gladwyn Holiday Flats''', 15 Alexandra Road, Tel: ''+44 1253'' 346870 [http://www.blackpoolholidayflats.org]
Canberra Holiday Flats. 2, Coop Street, FY1 5AJ . 44 1253 624803 . ttp://www.blackpoolholidayflat.net/.
Budget
'''The Norbreck Castle Hotel''' Queen's Promenade, Blackpool [http://www.norbeckcastle.com] A 480 Bedroom Hotel, set in a prime location on the Promenade, offering breathtaking views of the Irish Sea. Rooms from __25 a night.
'''Robin Hood Hotel''', at the St. Stephen's Ave. tram stop, one block north. 10 rooms, Single __27, double __54. Rooms 1, 5, and 9 have sea views, relaxing lounge, non-smoking.
'''The Kimberley Hotel''' 585-589 New South Promenade, Tel: +44 1253 341184 [http://www.thekimberleyhotel.net] A 50 Bedroom Hotel, set in a prime location on the New South Promenade, offering breathtaking views of the Irish Sea. Rooms from __25 a night.
New Osborne House Hotel. Trafalgar Road, FY1 6AW . ear the South Shore. 44 1253 346444. ttp://www.newosbornehousehotel.co.uk/. ooms from __20 a night.
Mid-range
'''Canasta Hotel''', 288 Promenade, ''+44 1253'' 290 501, [http://www.canastahotel.com]. 30 bedroomed licensed sea front hotel in perfect location.
'''Blackpool Hotel Rossi''', 263 Promenade, Tel: ''+44 1253'' 341731, [http://www.hotelrossi.co.uk]. Quality Blackpool Hotel, Perfectly Positioned On The Promenade.
'''The Wembley Hotel''', 275 Promenade, Tel: ''+44 1253'' 346154, [http://www.thewembleyhotelblackpool.co.uk]. Quality Blackpool Family Hotel, All 16 rooms En-Suite, Licensed Bar, Perfectly Positioned On The Promenade.Prices start at __17.50pppn
'''Blackpool Pleasure Beach''' Twilightblue, ''+44 870 712 0689'' [http://www.twilightblue.eu/en/attractions/blackpool-pleasure-beach/hotels.aspx].
Splurge
'''Big Blue Hotel''', Ocean Boulevard, Pleasure Beach Blackpool,Lancashire FY4 1ND, Tel: ''+44 1253 400045'', [http://www.bigbluehotel.com/] Offers 4 star contempory accomodation right next to the Pleasure Beach.
'''Imperial Hotel''', North Promenade, North Shore, Blackpool, FY1 2HB, ''Tel: +44 (0)1253 623971'', [http://www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk/hotels/northern-england/barcelo-blackpool-imperial-hotel/]
Get out
Take a tram north to Fleetwood. A now redundant fishing town. Visit its famous market and go to the outlet mall called "Freeport"