BLACKPOOL STILL ROCKS tr avel report BLACKPOOL
be missed is the Tower Circus, now in its 126th year, and located right at the base of the Tower’s four legs. Having arrived a few minutes late to our seats, we were ripe to be picked on by the resident clowns Mooky and Mr Boo who had the audience howling throughout the packed show which included a tightrope walker, juggler and acrobatic acts.
But it was the trapeze artist which left me watching from behind my hands as he walked across the ceiling of the arena with no harness and safety net.
The water feature finale is also a spectacle to behold with the circus arena filling with more than 42,000 gallons of water in less than a minute.
After all that excitement it was nice to sit down and relax with a spot of afternoon tea in the Tower Ballroom (£50 for two people), which I’d only seen on Strictly Come Dancing.
It’s unbelievable to think that this elegant ballroom with spectacular architecture dating back to 1894 still attracts ballroom dancers from across the world.
We sat down for a freshly brewed pot of tea with sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and pastries, loaded on to three tiers and were in awe of the sounds from the Wurlitzer organ and the couples gliding around the sprung wooden dance floor.
My little girl couldn’t resist twirling around and even persuading Daddy to foxtrot while narrowly avoiding dancers that had obviously been coming for years.
Our second day took us to the Tower’s Jungle Jim’s – an indoor adventure playground with climbing frames, ball pools and tunnels – and an absolute dream for our active three-year-old.
Later, I prepared myself for a tour around the Blackpool Tower Dungeon. This is not for the fainthearted and they recommend only children over eight enter so my husband and daughter took themselves around the nearby arcades while I delved into Blackpool’s dark past.
The walking tour brings to life Lancashire’s scary history with smells that invade the nostrils and sensations that make your skin crawl and hilarious laughs thrown in too. The attraction features 10 live action shows and finishes with a 26ft drop ride that will leave your heart in your mouth.
But no trip to Blackpool would be complete without a visit to Harry Ramsden’s, who have been serving up tasty fish and chips for generations.
The brand’s northern flagship restaurant features a modern take on a seaside design and a packed menu including burgers, bangers and pies plus a wide range of gin, craft beers and cocktails on offer.
I opted for a refreshing ‘goldfish in a bag’ cocktail and plumped for what is probably the best haddock and chips I’ve ever had with mushy peas and a side of curry sauce, which did not disappoint.
Even with a standard portion (£10.49), I was rather full but managed to squeeze in a Knickerbocker Glory with strawberries, fresh fruit and vanilla ice cream, smothered in a strawberry and cream sauce, topped with a chocolate flake and sprinkles (£5.99). Delicious!
With so much on offer for families, it’s easy to see the appeal of this seaside town. Delve deeper and there are gems for all the family to discover over and over for years to come. We’ll definitely be going back.