Jewel in crown of seaside resorts

Neil Henderson and his daughters enjoy a trip to the sassy seaside resort of Blackpool, taking in the famous Tower itself

As a child growing up in Manchester, our annual trip up the motorway to what will always be the jewel in the crown of British seaside resorts was always a highlight. But I’ll be the first to admit Blackpool would not have been an instant choice when it came to choosing our next destination for a family break.

Of course, as a child, I Ioved that journey – especially if it meant a jaunt along the twinkle of the town’s famous illuminations.

It’s just not somewhere that came to mind as a destination for anything more than a day trip.

So be prepared to be as pleasantly surprised as I was after a weekend in what remains the UK’s most popular seaside destination.

Our accommodation for the two nights was The Big Blue Hotel, conveniently situated at the South Pier end of the seafront,

It proved an ideal base, offering secure off-road parking and a friendly welcome. We were instantly impressed by how spacious, clean and comfortable our family room and en-suite bathroom were.

My two girls were delighted with the separate bunk bed area which also boasted a TV and games console.

The hotel’s Blues Bar and Brasserie offered local cuisine as well as an a la carte menu and there was a good value children’s selection too.

Importantly, the breakfast restaurant offered more choice than I’d experienced in any hotel in a long time.

As busy as the restaurant was of a morning, there was never the feeling of being overcrowded, whatever breakfast you wished was there in abundance and with polite staff, nothing was too much trouble.

Most exciting of all, the hotel boasted its own private entrance to Blackpool’s world famous Pleasure Beach, something the kids found highly amusing.

With an efficient and regular tram service just yards from the hotel door, it was easy and convenient with young

thecouriermagazine family in tow to head up to the seafront and explore what Blackpool is famous for.

Having talked about it for almost the entire journey down from Fife, what could be more British than a ride along the beach on the back of a donkey?

The girls could hardly contain themselves, with the owner happy to tell us he was the fifth generation of his family to offer donkey rides – having tended his animals on Blackpool sands for more than 50 years since the age of nine.

Undoubtedly, the jewel of the resort is the famous Blackpool Tower. One of the

The floor will unnerve you, but it’s the sheer exhilaration of the views – you can see as far as the Lake District on a clear day – it was worth the wait!

UK’s most iconic and most recognisable structures, I urge any reader to put it on their must-visit list.

And what better time than now with the tower celebrating its 125th anniversary.

In the last decade visitors have flocked to the tower’s world renowned ballroom. It’s nothing short of a mecca for dance fans and, once again, one of Blackpool’s most popular tourist attractions – having received a huge boost thanks to the wildly popular BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

The Tower also boasts the oldest permanent circus arena in the world having never missed a season, including through both World Wars, since the tower first opened in 1894.

Entering the 1,300 seater arena was a real step back in time with the thrills of the high trapeze and the charm of Mooky the clown leaving you breathless after a two-hour show.

The finale of which is a water spectacular where the arena’s unique