Blackpool
 

I am going to be touring Great Britain w/ my family that includes two girls, ages 9 & 13. Has anyone been to Blackpool and would they think it a good stop for the kids? Thanks....

Blackpool is like Coney Island or Astbury Park. The town itself is a lively if a little faded English seaside resort... ie aimed at the British working classes of the 50's and 60's and is still very popular for short breaks and stag/hen parties. It has tried to update its image and to a degree succeeded but remains very much of its type... though clearly the best of them.
It is not the same as Brighton as a seaside resort which is far more metropolitain and new wave.

Your daughters will no doubt love Blackpool Pleasure Beach which is the enormous funfair which includes many many rollercoasters from antiquities to the most modern (including the tallest in the world - at least at the time of building a few years ago).

However I would suggest that if they would like that they would probably (and so would you I suspect) prefer Alton Towers in Staffordshire countryside which is the UKs other premier theme park built in the parklands of the eponymous country estate/house.

Far more family friendly, far more unique - this is in a stately home for goodness sakes - and whilst they enjoy themselves there's the opportunity for the adults to enjoy the house and its gardens.

Dr D.

There is a film that takes place in Blackpool with Oliver Platt called Funny Bones that is very funny and a great way to see what Blackpool looks like. I wanted to go there after seeing the movie :)

Thank you both for your input. I really appreciate the insight. L.

If you're going to be in the Blackpool area e.g. on your way to/from the Lake District, then it's worth a day and especially at this time of the year for the famous 'Illuminations' when the 7 miles of seafront are lit by animated lights. You can take a tram from one end to the other. There's also the famous Tower(Blackpool's answer to the Eiffel Tower)- great views from the top. Not to mention two piers and the Pleasure Beach (funfair) Blackpool has an earthy humour and good old-fashioned 'day out at the seaside' atmosphere that Alton Towers will never be able to replicate.

We visited Blackpool when my daughters were 8 and 12 and they had a great time. Part Jersey Shore, part Coney Island, and English Blue Collar, we all enjoyed a couple of days off from castle climbing. Also, if you are driving around GB, get the Great British Heritage Pass because there's a great castle loop you can make.

I've recently moved to Blackpool from Manchester and agree with most of above. It's a great place for a family with value-for-money, down-to-earth entertainments. There's a small but a charming zoo as well. Also there are many shows at various venues, including the Winter Gardens, Grand Theatre, and Central and North Pier. Currently they have anything from Elvis-lookalike (very good!) to traditional British variety show, with a ticket price averaging only £10. The Tower complex also houses a good circus, included in admission price. Illumination this year is particularly good, with laser shows, and is free. Few miles to the south is the famous golf links of Royal Lytham & St Annes and there are several good courses for keen golfers. With B&B from £10 per head, I think it's worth anyone's couple of days en route, say, to the Lake District or Scotland. There is now a daily flight to Blackpool from Stansted and Dublin by Ryanair, with one-way fare from as low as £15 tax-included.

Unfortunately, from Ljyoung's other posts, you're trying to get to Lyme Regis, Wells, North Wales, Blackpool, the Lake District, Oban, Ft William, Durham, the Cotswolds and London in 2+ weeks. I do enjoy the illuminations and the pier - but with all the other places you want to hit, Blackpool probably isn't the best use of your limited time.

Thank you all for your wonderful input. At this point, Janis is right and I'm thinking we'll save the amusements for the East Coast when we return to the US. So much to see and so little time :)I really do, however, appreciate all of your comments.....

Easter week will find me in Blackpool for several days for a convention. I expect to have an 8 - 9 hour block of free time on Good Friday. Any suggestions for a day trip from Blackpool using public transportation?

Keith

blackpool is so tacky it is a must see. kind of like looking like an accident. i wanted to ride the donkeys in the beach but didn't have time. dont spend alot of time there but you should see it. top it off with a mcdonalds breakfast of fried baked beans downtown near the main parking lot. you would likey have a few stories.

In 1939 I was evacuated from high school in Manchester, to Blackpool. I visited about 6 years ago, and it is still the same ! There is a lion in the zoo called Wallace. Don't miss it.

Keith
You can get to the Lake District (Windermere) by taking train from Blackpool North station (in the centre), changing at Preston. Also by coach from coach station. Less than 2 hours. Also most travel agents do a coach tour from Blackpool to many places, including Yorkshire Dales, Chester as well as the Lakes.
Much closer you can spend a day in Fleetwood, the old fishing port with an outlet/shopping centre called Freeport, and if you are into golf, there are several championship courses a few miles south at Lytham and St Annes.