The Best Of Blackpool
Travel writer Bridget McGrouther heads for the Vegas of the North and its iconic Tower Ballroom to take on the Strictly challenge
Waltzing around the Blackpool Tower Ballroom as the only couple on the floor was as much an adrenaline rush as riding the Big One when I was last in Blackpool 20 years ago in my 30s! The Pleasure Beach has even bigger and better rides these days – it’s claimed ICON will set your heart pumping – but inspired by our favourite TV show StrictlyComeDancing, we wanted to experience what the contestants do when they make it to Blackpool.
This year the live Strictly ComeDancing show will be screened from Blackpool on November 16, but if you haven’t won a ticket in the BBC draw, you’ll only be able to cheer on your favourite dance duo on television.
Yet you can visit the Lancashire seaside town – dubbed the Las Vegas of the North – at any time to strut your stuff on the dance floor or enjoy the entertainment frenzy, currently being upgraded by a £100m investment in the resort.
I couldn’t persuade my husband to be my stand-in Aljaz, so luckily my friend Dot cut a dash with me across the dance floor under the watchful eye of professional instructor Amy Pedder.
Amy normally teaches at a nearby dance school, but we were privileged to be given private use of the iconic Tower Ballroom for our one-hour lesson before it opened to the public at 10am.
After we relished the wow factor of one of the most jaw-dropping dance venues in the world, with its uniquely sprung floor and elegant architecture, Amy quickly put us through our paces. Chins up, elbows raised, counting under our breath, I was already feeling sympathetic for the hours of practice the Strictly celebrities put in to master their dance routines. I was relieved Craig Revel Horwood wasn’t around to pass scathing judgement!
We did later meet him in person – well, at least his waxwork double – along with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly at the new StrictlyCome Dancing exhibition at Madame Tussauds. Under a sparkling glitterball, we held up our own score paddles at the judges’ desk – Len Goodman’s “sev-en” ringing in our ears. Taking so many selfies was thirsty work, so we also stopped in for a pint in the Rovers Return alongside some of Corrie’s favourite cast members.
I hadn’t ever been to the top of the tower and, as it was a beautiful, sunny day, it would have been rude not to admire the 360 degree panoramas as far as the Isle of Man. There is now a thrilling 4D cinema show with realistic sensory effects before you climb the 380ft-high tower.
We found stepping outside to the real views over Blackpool’s sandy seven-mile beach and newly-renovated promenade with its Comedy Carpet even more breathtaking, especially when standing on the SkyWalk glass floor! Fortunately, there is a Sky High Cocktail Bar to steady any nerves…
Opened in 1894 in the style of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Blackpool Tower is celebrating its 125-year milestone with a range of year-long events – as is the nearby Grand Theatre which has hosted some of the biggest names in showbiz.
By two o’clock, we were back in the Tower Ballroom as we had booked afternoon tea. The tea (or coffee served in a teapot if you prefer), sandwiches and cakes are accompanied by an afternoon tea dance. We were asked to dance by willing partners who helped us to keep in step while we joined in the Canadian Barn Dance and St Bernard’s Waltz, recalled from our school dance days. The organist played on a historic Wurlitzer that disappeared into the stage when the dance had finished!
Amazingly, there was still more to see at Blackpool Tower. The Dungeon below was frightening and funny in equal measure – a bit like I imagine being critiqued by the Strictly judges would be!
I won’t give the game away, but the sudden drop ending (which you can opt out of) left us wishing that we hadn’t just enjoyed our afternoon tea!
We stayed at the four-star Big Blue Hotel where it is alleged the Strictly celebrities, dancers and judges are based while in Blackpool. You can’t miss it because it’s, em… painted blue, and sits just behind the Pleasure Beach. Luckily, we had sea rather than big dipper views, so we were spared the screams! The Big Blue was friendly and the food was good, but I imagine the stylish seafront cocktail bar of the luxury new sister property The Boulevard next door may tempt the contestants to call in for a drink or two after the show. I admit I was pleasantly surprised by the newly rejuvenated Blackpool and, managing to turn a blind eye to any remaining tat and Kiss Me Quick hats, we really had a lot of fun. From the bright lights of the Illuminations (on until Nov 3) to Christmas Party Nights, there is always something going on for all ages. Go on, you know you can’t resist that souvenir stick of Blackpool rock!