Blackpool - What's It Really Like?

SHIPSHAPE

McKneff wrote: »

I went to Blackpool last month and I swear if I live to be a thousand years old I will never ever go again.

It was wet, windy, cold, it always seems to be so.

Full of chavs, people outside pubs, smoking, spitting, effing and blinding and that was only the women.

Parents screaming and shouting at their kids.
Tat shops, tat shops and more tat shops.
Rip off prices for the attractions.

Dont go, that's my advice.

.

I second this appraisal.

Absolutely hated the place.

And if you ever think of going to Benidorm then that is just Blackpool but with sun.

Ghastly places.

21yrold

I went last year, 1st time since i was about 8!

We stayed in the de vere hotel just about 10mins taxi outside of town centre!

On the day we used out merlin passes for the tower etc and then on the night we went the casino which looks like its just been re-decorated and had an amazing night...live music/cheap fresh cocktails and taxi driver went maccy D's on the way back to the hotel for us if we bought him some chicken nuggets haha!

It's what you make of it, we were 2 25yr old (ish) couples and not of chavvy nature...

Hudpod25

I have been to Blackpool just once - I am not one for the funfair or shops but I would agree that the tram is something special and I enjoyed visiting the Sea life Centre (not sure if still on the go) and the Tower.

I really liked Fleetwood which is something of throw back to an older time. Enjoyable for an afternoon.

rustyboy21

Blackpool is what you make it.

Some hate it, some love it, a lot like it.

I class myself as middle aged. there is plenty to do, away from all the noise of the fair and arcades and pubs. Madame tusseads, the tower, the piers, Fleetwood, Ltham st Annes. There is a direct train from Blackpool to Liverpool, Capital of Culture 2008, loads to do there. Train takes 1hr 20 mins direct service. Out the station in Liverpool and into the centre where everything is. Southport, beautiful victorian former seaside town, while away the hours swindow shopping and cafe bars.

Accomodation wise, goes from Cheap but clean B&B's t 5 star luxury B&B's and hotels. I have stayed in The Hilton North shore, The Carlton N Shore, Both good hotels. Have stayed twice in No 1 South Beach, perhaps the nicest hotel I have stayed in anywhere in the world, so quiet at night and owners great ( Fab rooms and food ) to a 2 star B&B, which was basic but clean and ideal for a night away.

Don't let anyone put you off your plans, do some snooping around on trip advisor etc and see what comes up.

I myself would have Blackpool over Scarborough and Skegness any day. Grotty holes IMO. Whitby on the other hand , Beautiful, relaxing and a world away from the likes of Scarborough.

What Hotel have you been offered with the coach trip BTW? ( Edit, sorry saw your post, mmmm Norbreck castle , no not a chance, is it me or does everyone think it looks like colditz from the outside? )

If you have the opporyunity all I can say instead of Scarborough is WHITBY WHITBY WHITBY !!!! Going back there Sept in a cottage right by steam Rail line and harbour, can't wait !

pretty_mumma

I totally agree, Blackpool is what you make it!

I was born there but moved down south at an early age. Every summer we would go back up and I loved it, but stopped going as I got older.

I've just started going back in the last couple of years as my son is now old enough to enjoy it and we both love it.

We stay at the Big Blue Hotel - not cheap, but one of the best and really good service.

We always spend a day in the Pleasure Beach (Thanks to Tesco Vouchers we get it free!!), then spend the evening on the arcades and enjoying the piers, and then maybe a trip to the tower or around town - Has to be a trip to TOAST for dinner - a brilliant restaurant.

But, we make it fun. We don't go there expecting it to be amazing and high class. Its fun, it takes me back to being a child again and thats why I enjoy it.

As long as you ignore the chavs, ignore the street sellers and just take it for what it is, you'll have a brilliant time.

Oh, and Im not a chav. I could afford to go somewhere posh, but I love the tackiness and the fun and all the sugar you can eat!!

So to all of you who think its pants - go somewhere else and leave Blackpool to us who love it!

Sam

HollyB33_2

I think if you're planning on visiting Blackpool then don't expect too much and it might just be better than you think!

Alot of young couple go for a weekend break just to get away from the humdrum. Myself and my partner are actually visiting for a week (although parking looks to be horrendous) as we couldn't afford to go away this year.

There are plenty of things to see and do and I figure as logn as you are game for a laugh then there won't be a problem

joannaspanner

Went to Blackpool for the day a few months ago, not been for years, such a shame as it completely ruined it for me, as it's not at all what I remember, a horrible dump it is these days, just awful rough hen nights, yikes. Also saw standing outside a bookies, a pregnant girl, drinking a can of lager and smoking a cigarette, whilst at the same time telling her toddler to 'stop f*cking crying'

greenface

I think everyone is being a little unfair on Blackpool and its people. In a few hours when they wake up maybe one will have electricity and internet and no doubt will get their support worker to type a response outlining how good Blackpool is between July and September between midnight and 3am. TBF as much as Blackpool has suffered over the past 20+ years the tourism board have always worked hard to promote a dying town.