Blackpool advice please?

west_is_best

alec_eiffel wrote: »

You won't be disappointed with Big Blue, it's lovely and the bit of the prom down that end of the town is finished and looks lovely. There are lots of bits of public art there that are just great (especially the glitterball). If you're going at the start of March there's an interesting exhibition at the Grundy Gallery called Orbitecture. The zoo is open. Marton Mere is good if you like birds and having a tramp about, wildlife and all that. If the weather's not too bad the beach is still great.

There is still plenty to do but the front is not looking its best just now!

Im sure we'll enjoy it anyway... BUT I am glad that our side of the prom has finished... My husband will be in his glory watching the work going on there... knowing him!!!! we made a plan last night, he will join the workforce while I have a nice bottle of red and a good book!!!!!

Thank you for the information... by the way, you dont know anyone that works in the hotel that will throw in a few bottles of red for free??!!!!! well, you cant blame a girl for trying!!!!!! :rotfl:

alec_eiffel

west_is_best wrote: »

Im sure we'll enjoy it anyway... BUT I am glad that our side of the prom has finished... My husband will be in his glory watching the work going on there... knowing him!!!! we made a plan last night, he will join the workforce while I have a nice bottle of red and a good book!!!!!

Thank you for the information... by the way, you dont know anyone that works in the hotel that will throw in a few bottles of red for free??!!!!! well, you cant blame a girl for trying!!!!!! :rotfl:

Wish I did! I don't actually live in Blackpool, just a couple of miles down the road - not found anyone handing our free wine there either unfortunately :beer:

Enjoy your stay!

west_is_best

alec_eiffel wrote: »

Wish I did! I don't actually live in Blackpool, just a couple of miles down the road - not found anyone handing our free wine there either unfortunately :beer:

Enjoy your stay!

Oh well..... Im going to have to bring my own then!!!!!! :beer: :rotfl:

mintymoneysaver

ml2008 wrote: »

thanks everyone! we haven't been to England before at all...shameful I know and to be honest I thought it would have saved the hassle of getting passports sorted etc...we were thinking about the end of July/start of August this summer 2011 but might hold off now.

Thanks again!

If you really have never been to England before then there are so many places you could go too. Blackpool is great for a day or two, but I would have thought you could do London just as cheaply, and there would be so much more to see/do. Agreed it's not a beach holiday, but then neither's Blackpool, it's always too windy! If it's a beach holiday you want, I'd head to the South Coast, Devon/ Cornwall etc, you'll probably get better weather there...

jonty1970

Don't forget Wales! there are some lovely beaches and castles.
Blackpool needs the front finishing. It is a mess and has been for a long time.
why is it taking so long?

dori2o

jonty1970 wrote: »

Don't forget Wales! there are some lovely beaches and castles.
Blackpool needs the front finishing. It is a mess and has been for a long time.
why is it taking so long?

There is 4 miles+ of coastline that they are upgrading.

For those that can remember the old Blackpool, the difference is unbelieveable.

The only downside is that the new sea wall has been brought so far forwards that it now covers the bit of beach that was always useable even when the tide was in (around central pier, maybe a cunning plot to keep people in the shops/arcades when the tide is in)

Cleveleys has been done up in the same style and it looks great.

As there is now so much room on the shore side of the prom, does anyone know what they are going to put there? I noticed that at the south shoure they have built a Karting track on this area. Anything else planned around Central and the North.

Also, can anyone advise the best car park to park on at Central.

We usually park on Chapel Street car park, but have just seen that when we go in May the Prom from Talbot Square to Chapel Street will be closed so will be a pain to get into and out of.

alec_eiffel

dori2o wrote: »

There is 4 miles+ of coastline that they are upgrading.

For those that can remember the old Blackpool, the difference is unbelieveable.

The only downside is that the new sea wall has been brought so far forwards that it now covers the bit of beach that was always useable even when the tide was in (around central pier, maybe a cunning plot to keep people in the shops/arcades when the tide is in)

Cleveleys has been done up in the same style and it looks great.

As there is now so much room on the shore side of the prom, does anyone know what they are going to put there? I noticed that at the south shoure they have built a Karting track on this area. Anything else planned around Central and the North.

Also, can anyone advise the best car park to park on at Central.

We usually park on Chapel Street car park, but have just seen that when we go in May the Prom from Talbot Square to Chapel Street will be closed so will be a pain to get into and out of.

Near North Pier they're doing the "Comedy Carpet" which is just a big walkway with lots of comedy catchphrases on it and they're also building a wedding venue there.

The sea defences do look great, loads better than what was there before and what they've done in Cleveleys is great. For a big stretch of beach heading right down to Starr Gate is a good idea, the beach is huge there and there are the dunes too, loads of room to play football/make sandcastles or wahtever.

We usually just walk up whenever we go to the town so not too hot on carparks but DH parks on central carpark for work, there's lots of space near the football ground too.

And as for why it's taken so long - money! Why else? The local authority has to take care of residents as well as tourists and there's only so much cash to go round!

Rebob

If you shop at tesco you can pay for the tower, pleasure beach and other attractions using the clubcard deals. The cost of food is as much or little you want. There are some lovely little cafes on the back streets.

*manda*

Rebob wrote: »

If you shop at tesco you can pay for the tower, pleasure beach and other attractions using the clubcard deals. The cost of food is as much or little you want. There are some lovely little cafes on the back streets.

I agree with this. We've never found it anymore expensive than anywhere else in the UK-often it's cheaper as there is so much competition. My only issue is the lack of healthier options- most places are literally fast food/greasy spoon type place-so far from ideal for a diabetic.

bambinaUK

Anyone who is going this month should go and see some of the Showzam events. I have attended the last two years and it excellent.
http://www.showzam.co.uk/whatson/