Why Blackpool is the perfect place to enjoy a 'staycation'
Tourists in the UK are now far more likely to book a domestic break – to either accompany or replace a holiday abroad – than they have been for decades.
A surge in popularity for the ‘staycation’ option, as holidaymakers seek to reduce their recreational expenditure, avoid the stress and hassle of long-distance travel, and take advantage of the plethora of beautiful locations on British soil.
Despite this re-kindling of our love affair with the staycation, many of the classic UK-based holiday destinations, which have been frequented by tourists for generations, remain firm favourites amongst native travellers. Arguably, the most famous within this group is Blackpool, a seaside resort best renowned for its iconic tower, exhilarating theme park, and, of course, delicious fish & chips. However, there are countless other visitor attractions in this picturesque corner of England's north-west.
An entertaining atmosphere
Walk down Blackpool’s bustling promenade, and you’ll see a multitude of fantastic gaming venues, including casinos, arcades, and bingo halls. Many of the games staged at these establishments are supported by specialist hosts, who interact with players as they bet, and encourage friendly competition between participants. Enthused by their visit, many people can replicate this experience at home, by playing blackjack live dealer games on their return from holiday. Live casino channels enable players to watch a live stream of a croupier-operated game through an electronic device, and bet on outcomes as if playing ‘in-person’ – a remote version of the Blackpool experience!
Key places to visit
Few people leave this cheerful stretch of the Fylde coast without visiting Madame Tussauds, an incredible waxwork museum which features life-size replica models of the rich and famous. Within its astonishing catalogue of wax figures, we see musicians, sports stars, royalty, television personalities, and even an odd Superhero.
The Blackpool Tower Dungeons, which are situated just a short, five-minute walk away from Madame Tussauds, provide another thriving tourist hotspot. Visitors are taken on a whirlwind tour – with the help of a talented group of theatrical performers – around the dingy depths of a medieval dungeon, as they watch (or safely take part in!) visual re-enactments of punishments meted out to prisoners, learn about the notorious witchcraft trials of nearby Pendle, and slip into the hangman’s noose on the thrilling ‘Drop Dead Ride’
If you’ve still got enough energy after all that, and are not burdened by a crippling fear of heights, you may decide to scale the Blackpool Tower. At the top of this 380ft steel structure is the Blackpool Tower Eye, a fully-encased glass platform which offers remarkable panoramic views, enabling visitors to see far out into the Irish Sea, across to the Lake District, and, rather dauntingly, straight down to the promenade below. Not one for the faint-hearted
The trend is set to continue...
According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov, whereby 26,000 respondents from 25 different countries were interviewed regarding their travel habits, more than half of the participating UK audience suggested there were planning a domestic excursion this year. Therefore, we can safely assume locations like Blackpool are in for another busy season ahead.
