Hotels in Blackpool

Blackpool, the queen of archetypal British seaside holidays, sits in the county of Lancashire along the Fylde Coast, which lies in the north-western part of England on the Irish Sea. Blackpool is a relatively large town that's about 4o kilometres north of Liverpool and roughly 65 kilometres northwest of Manchester. The town has a beautiful long and wide sandy beach with three piers, and the area also is the home to Pleasure Beach and the Golden Mile. It is the place for sun, sea and sand holidays (British weather permitting!), with plenty of seaside and urban entertainment options.

There is no shortage of holiday accommodation types in and around the town. For those looking for budget-friendly holiday cities in England, there's plenty of cheap hotels in Blackpool to satisfy visitors.

Neighbourhoods of Blackpool

Blackpool has three distinct zones that are the most interesting areas for its visitors, which are:

• North Shore: the most residential area but also home to many of the best hotels. This place is also the quieter part of the Promenade, shoreline and beach.
• Central: this is the real hub of the town. This area is where most main attractions are, and it's also the mecca for nightlife. The streets leading off the Promenade are known for tasty fish and chips, homely cafes and gift shops.
• South Shore: the busiest part of this town has several main attractions, including a large shopping area and loads of eateries.

What to see and do in Blackpool

All the elements needed for a great holiday are found in Blackpool. Things to put on your list include:

• The Beach: The beach has various sections running for several kilometres, and it's divided by three piers. A Blue Flag-rated beach sits opposite Pleasure Beach. An iconic beach activity is to go for a donkey ride.
• The Piers: The North Pier is the oldest and longest, and it's Grade II listed. The area has a theatre, carousel, Victorian-era tea rooms and an arcade. The Central Pier is home to a Ferris wheel, fair and arcade. The South Pier is like a mini fun-fair come theme park and playground, with rollercoasters, Waltzers, bungee, dodgems, go-karts and trampolines.
• The Golden Mile: This stretch of promenade between the North and South Pier is lined with arcade shops, an indoor fun park and Coral Island.
• New South Promenade: This renovated section is now home to a collection of interesting sculptures.
• Pleasure Beach: This amusement park has more than 145 rides for all ages.
• Blackpool Tower: Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, this 1894 landmark has an observation deck, dungeon exhibit, magnificent rococo ballroom and various kid’s attractions.
• Sandcastle Waterpark: The largest waterpark in Britain has themed zones and houses the world’s largest indoor water slide.
• Sea Life Aquarium: This is the home to magnificent aquatic displays featuring over 1,000 marine creatures.

What to eat in Blackpool

Food in the town represents typical seaside fare. However, it also takes in the food of Lancashire and the rest of the UK. There are eateries of every global cuisine type. You can expect to find hundreds of small takeaways and even some Michelin Guide top-recommended restaurants. Must-have seaside foods include:

• Fish and chips: you can’t have a British seaside holiday without at least one portion!
• Seafood: stalls along the prom and piers sell little pots of prawns, cockles, mussels, winkles and whelks. The local favourite is potted shrimp, with brown shrimp from nearby Morecambe Bay.
• Doughnuts: whether from a seafront stall, the pier or Pleasure Beach, they’re best enjoyed freshly cooked and still warm.
• Candy Floss: this sweet, sugary fairground food is available at many places.
• Blackpool Rock: this hard candy was invented in the town of Blackpool.

Typical events and festivals in Blackpool

As one of the most popular seaside resorts in the UK, this fun city has a busy calendar. Some of the main highlights are:

• The Illuminations: This annual Festival of Lights sees the Promenade illuminated by over one million coloured bulbs of various amazing shapes for 66 days. Closely associated is the half-term Lightpool Festival, which offers free family entertainment.
• World Firework Championships: This event offers fabulous fireworks displays in September/October over four weekends.
• Blackpool Air Show: This is a great aerial entertainment show that happens every August, which includes flying acrobats and wing walking.
• Pier Jam: The North Pier is the host of this annual electronic music festival.
• Entertainment and Musicals: The Tower and the Winter Gardens are regular tour stops for many major musicians and comedians. You can enjoy musicals from the West End.

How to move around in Blackpool

The Promenade is designed for easy walking in Blackpool. The city's public transport network includes iconic double-decker trams. Since 1885, the busses have been running 8-kilometre stretches from Fleetwood along the seafront. The buses connect to the Promenade and other areas in town, and it also has routes to surrounding nearby towns. The National Express network provides services to Liverpool, Manchester, Lancaster and Preston, among others.

The climate in Blackpool

The temperate maritime climate provides cool to warm British summers and mildly cold winters. Rainfall averages 40 per cent throughout the year. The average daily temperature is 13° C annually. In July and August, it rises to around 19.5° C, making these the best months to visit. You have to wrap up and stay warm to enjoy the Blackpool Illuminations!