Blackpool - What's It Really Like?

Beetlemama

Everynamestaken wrote: »

Also, how can I forget walking across the pier, and getting stopped and been told to put a pound on this dart game. When I won a prize, he said. "you need one more pound". He was extremely threatening and when I phoned my friends up, he gave me a cuddly toy, ha.


Scarborough is much better by a country mile. A lovely seaside town.

You've no idea how much this confused me, I was reading Martins "ok to dial 999 for a mattress in the road?" thread and my little boy came in to talk to me, when I turned back to the screen I had somehow clicked on this and wondered what on Earth was going on, lol


EDIT: Ok, I've started at the beginning and read the thread now - come back to add my own comments.

The last time (in fact the only time) I've been here was about 198...4? something like that, as a little East anglian/Home counties girl who didn't know she was quite so sheltered, lol, it was an eye opening experience, we actually saw a street fight with grown men staggering about exchanging blows with real blood on them! the hotel was £12 for a double, £6 for a single including breakfast and the women who served it was so angry we didn't dare not eat it even though it was nasty, lol. The hotel room window didn't shut, the wardrobe didn't open and when you pulled out the plug, the water refused to leave the sink. What do you want for £6?

I'd go if you've got loads of money and don't mind having a eye-poppingly horrid time, it'll give you something to talk about for years to come. If you're a bit poor though and it'll be your only break this year, I'd save my money for something else.

xxx

cte1111

We had a good weekend in Blackpool not long ago. Sure the town isn't going to win any architectural beauty awards and is a bit on the tacky side, but there's plenty to do there I thought. I'd recommend Madame Tussauds, the Dungeon, having a wander on the pier and people watching on the beach.

There were more drunken hen / stag parties than I'd prefer but you know it was good for a cheapish weekend away. My inlaws have been a couple of times on organised trips like the one you mentioned and they've enjoyed them. Think they were one of the younger couples though and they are in their 60s.

catlad

i enjoyed it good shoping part it was a bit stormy there a good pub called the manchester that sell good food

geordieracer

p00hsticks wrote: »

That's not going to be particularly easy if you're coming in on a coach trip though.

Why not? Not heard of a train? Hour and half in each direction is perfect for a day trip out.

redmalc

We went to the football last year with the intention of staying over,after a dinnertime drink and a wander down the sea front we decided straight after the match we would quickly escape from the dump.
The majority of the accomodation looks terrible and we noticed that the chavs were out in force,drunken groups staggering around the prom,not for us but if you like that sort of thing ,you are welcome to visit.

samboette

Blackpool......where do I start?

In brief, we went to see the illuminations last year. It was the first time either of us had been to Blackpool and needless to say we are both in no hurry to return, if we ever return.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but the place was just run down, looked dirty and grotty. The people weren't much better. Definitely chav city.

We did the obligatory tower visit, tram ride and pier visit during the day, bought some Blackpool rock and left again. We came back in the evening to see the illuminations but didn't even bother to get out of the car this time. Fortunately we weren't staying in Blackpool due to the very poor reviews of most, if not all hotels in the town.

The following day we were meant to be going back into the town but the few hours we experienced the day before was enough for us and we decided to spend the day elsewhere.

photome

Sharon87 wrote: »

The last time I went Blackpool I did enjoy it. But I mostly go for the Pleasure Beach anyway. I was in Hunstanton the other month and god that is awful. We went to a really quiet beach near Hunstanton with sandunes, which was really nice, but there's literally nothing there, no food or anything. So we went to get some fish and chips. Blackpool is so much better, more to do, even if it's a bit run down. I tend to stick to the sea front in Blackpool, don't really venture into the town much.

I've been to the Sandcastle and the 3 piers, which are worth doing if you've never been there before. Also I'm not sure if it's still there, but there was a rock shop that you could go and watch rock being made.

It was awful because there was nothing to do?

I dont think Hunstanton sells itself as the party capital of East Anglia.

Hunstanton and Blackpool are just not a comparison, except they are opposite ends of the spectrum

p00hsticks

geordieracer wrote: »

Why not? Not heard of a train? Hour and half in each direction is perfect for a day trip out.

Of course I have - as a non-driver I use them often, including travelling to and from Blackpool North.

But, unless I'm mistaken, to get up or down the coast by train from Blackpool (e.g. to Morecame to the North and Southport to the south) takes several changes, and Preston station isn't the most fun place to while away the time. And for two middle aged couples I imagine such trips would cost in the region of £60-£80 (unless there are Duo fares available).

It's not as if it's a particularly scenic route.

windyng

Just don't go with high expectations. I love the place. Maybe it reminds of times gone by. Or school trips as a child. But there is a ever present nostalgia about the place that makes it sweet.

The pleasure beach is still great and you can usually get tokens over the summer. If you've got a space afternoon you may as well get yourself down to the 2p machines and at least attempt to feel rich until you cash in your bucket full of pennies.

Good times.

Lindz_Delirium

We go to Blackpool 2/3 times a year and we love it! Loads to do and such a character about the place - really friendly.

If you fancy a nice Italian meal away from the holiday makers try La Fontana on Clifton Street I think it is - amazing food and a bit of a hidden gem!

Have fun - we'll be up there on 20th August for a week