Blackpool Vacations, Blackpool Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Blackpool Vacation Guide

It might be infamous as the home of an incredible array of tacky English tat (a not entirely undeserved reputation, it has to be said), but the northern seaside resort of Blackpool still draws in an incredible 6 million visitors a year, most drawn in by the selection of arcades, shows, drinking culture and just a quick few days sprawled on the sands.

It’s hardly the Spanish Riviera, true, but Blackpool does have its charms, not least the Blackpool Tower (an aging copy of The Eiffel Tower which hosts regular events, and is the undisputed symbol of Blackpool), the Pleasure Beach (an oversized fairground featuring everything from traditional donkey rides to supersized rollercoasters) and three different piers, each with their own unique character.

The tat comes mainly in the form of Blackpool’s notoriously old-school take on tourism, with everything from ‘kiss me quick’ hats to traditional ‘rock’ – a solid, flaky form of candy – dominating the high streets. Look a little harder and you’ll find the sleazier side aimed at stag parties and barely-legal drinkers, such as ball dresses for the drunken man, and plastic breasts.

It’s not all about the sleazy side, though you might find it more than a little hard to avoid. Blackpool’s other draws include a range of shows (though some of these tend to be pretty trashy, too), the surprisingly beautiful sight of six miles of sea front illuminations and a frankly ludicrous array of ‘chippies’, selling Britain’s traditional seafood dish, batter Cod or Haddock servied with chunky French fries. Gambling is another major draw here: Blackpool is hardly Vegas, but if you feel like flitting away your earnings in a backstreet casino, plenty will oblige.

True, it’s far from classy, but Blackpool is a working class side of Britain that still attracts mainly domestic tourists, and is worth a trip – if only a day trip – to see an entirely different side of the UK’s culture, a far cry from the more high-brow outlook of spots like London and Oxford. Arrive in Blackpool with a sense of humour, and you’ll have as good a time as anywhere.