Blackpool

Blackpool is opening many key attractions, hotels, restaurants and bars, but the town is keen to deliver the Know Before You Go message, which will give visitors an insight into measures being taken to ensure their safety.

These will include reduced capacity, allocated time slots, managed queuing, enhanced cleaning regimes and extensive training for all staff.

Blackpool Zoo, the Pleasure Beach, part of Blackpool Tower, the SEA LIFE Centre, Madame Tussauds, piers and amusement centres along the Golden Mile are all now welcoming visitors.

Attractions are being urged to sign up to Visitengland’s We’re Good To Go industry standard, aimed at giving visitors the confidence that guidelines are being adhered to.

It’s Friday afternoon. The weekend weather forecast is great. Time to hit the road! Here are our top tips for making a smooth and speedy departure:

a list

One of the main challenges is getting all of your stuff together. If you haven’t been touring for long, and don’t have separate kit in your van, too often, you’ll find that some essential or other is in the loft or the shed and your cooking utensils have made their way back into the kitchen drawers.

It goes without saying that if things are all over the house, you inevitably end up forgetting some critical item. So at the start of the season, it’s worth putting together a list of things you are going to need.

where you’re going

Get to know the campsites within easy reach. There’s nothing worse than turning up at a site and realising there’s not a lot going on. If you’re after a good pub, activities for the kids or even a beach, it’s best to know where to head. Knowing which sites are less busy is also a bonus for last-minute booking.

prep

Keep a meal or two in the freezer, ready to defrost en route and pop in the oven while you set up. Or you could marinade some chicken in a bag while you travel, to put on the barbecue while you relax and enjoy your first beer of the weekend!