Tag: Blackpool

How to spend a fun weekend in Blackpool for the illuminations

I’m finally catching up on posting assignments over the autumn and the first stop? Blackpool.

The nights may be drawing in, but autumn finds brassy Blackpool bathed in “artificial sunshine”.

The world-renowned Blackpool Illuminations along the promenade (pictured above) have been extended this year until 3 January, building on a tradition that began in 1879, when arc lamps replaced gas lights to bring winter cheer.

Illuminations aside, the kiss-me-quick seaside resort continues to reinvent, shaking off its bawdy image with new places to eat, stay and party.

For more, see visitblackpool.com.

Read the rest of my feature via i News Travel, Blackpool Travel Guide.

Story of the day: Art Deco Blackpool

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

I’m keeping it in the Northwest today.

I had a run of Blackpool stories a few years ago (not a sentence I type often).

It’s a tough place to love but I did find things to admire about its gritty resolve. The following story, taken from a series in the Observer, was a good example of finding an unexpected angle on a destination we all think we know.

Here’s an extract:

The promenade is awash with fish and chip restaurants but the best is hidden away in the suburb of Marton – a fiver in a taxi from the Central Prom. The Cottage has been frying since 1940 and comes with Rick Stein’s seal of approval.

Another classic is Notarianni’s (pictured above), the only original, family-run ice-cream parlour left in town. Dating from 1928, it retains the art-deco counter and still serves the Notarianni Sundae in the colours of Italy.

Toast is one of the new school of downtown cafes with a fresh approach to the fry-up breakfast – try the Lancashire rarebit brunch.

Read the full story, Great British Escapes: Blackpool.

Since my last visit, it’s all gone rather quiet and, I fear, recession means that the much-talked-up regeneration may have stalled.

If you know different, then please post your comments below.