Pier we go
For fun, excitement, thrills and dance, you can’t beat the allure of bonkers Blackpool
Blackpool is the Wembley of ballroom dancing, according to former Strictly head judge Len Goodman. The Lancashire seaside town’s iconic Tower Ballroom has hosted countless national and international championships.
But it’s not just the world’s best movers who get to waltz around the sprung dancefloor. From 10.30am every day, anyone can dance in Victorian grandeur to music played on the ballroom’s Wurlitzer organ. And with Strictly dominating Saturday night TV again, it’s a very popular pastime.
My sons James, six, and Michael, four, had a lesson there. Seeing their beaming faces as they did the cha-cha-cha in such glorious surroundings made my heart sing. But if you don’t fancy joining in, treat yourself to afternoon tea. It’s all very fab-u-lous, dahling.
The Blackpool Tower – which celebrates its 125th birthday this year – has such a lot to offer. We upped the pace with a lift ride 380ft to the top to experience Blackpool Tower Eye.
From the top there are breathtaking views for miles around – right up to the Lake District and across to the Isle of Man – as well as directly down.
Michael headed straight for a reinforced glass panel in the floor and tested its strength by gleefully jumping on it. It’s 2in thick and thankfully didn’t budge.
Sticking to the “top” theme, our next stop was the big top. At the sell-out Tower Circus show, the stunts were simply stunning, while the slapstick had my lads in fits.
If you prefer your fun a little freakier, head south to the Tower Dungeons, where you can scare yourself silly with terrifying tales, spectacular special effects and an awesome drop ride.
We stayed at the Blue Big Hotel, a super-slick spot with a unique dollop of excitement – some of the rooms back right on to the rollercoasters at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Our family room was brilliantly designed with a separate area for the kids.
Next morning we headed down the Golden Mile to Madame Tussauds Blackpool. This year’s new exhibition is Strictlythemed, so you can have your picture taken with Craig Revel Horwood, give marks from the judges’ desk with Tess Daly and admire the glitterball with Claudia Winkleman. James and Michael also got excited at the Marvel superheroes area, where they climbed a wall with Spider-man and lifted a car like the Hulk. Next door is SEA LIFE Blackpool – home to an amazing 2,000 marine creatures. The lads got giddy in the glass underwater tunnel when sharks and turtles glided serenely overhead.
They were hysterical when we arrived
at the Pleasure Beach. There are so many rides, it’s difficult to know where to begin.
Within the Pleasure Beach, there is Nickelodeon Land, aimed at younger children.
Here they can have their picture taken with Spongebob Squarepants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Across from the fair is the Sandcastle, the UK’S largest indoor waterpark, with giant chutes and whiteknuckle rides. And James and
Michael were first to dive straight in, of course. Blackpool is famous for its fish and chips but there is plenty of choice if you fancy something else. The Wok Inn opposite North Pier, for example, is an awardwinning noodle bar offering delicious Asian dishes. A busy few days were rounded off with another Blackpool favourite, the Illuminations. Bright, breezy and never, ever boring… Blackpool absolutely rocks.