Blackpool is the quintessential English seaside holiday town, and while not as popular as during its heyday in the mid-20th Century – before the advent of the cheap package holiday industry – Blackpool hotels still attract around 10 million visitors every year. Blackpool is famed for the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the most visited amusement park and resort in the U.K; and for the Blackpool Illuminations, the annual festival of lights which began in 1879, and runs each year for sixty six days.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is in fact in the top twenty most visited amusement parks in the world, and attracts around 5.5 million visitors each year. The tallest rollercoaster in the U.K. – the Pepsi Max Big One – is one of the big draws of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, as is ‘Infusion’, the first inverted rollercoaster in the world to be suspended entirely over water. Another world beating attraction is Valhalla, which boasts the world’s largest indoor ride. There is also a selection of water rides, and a casino at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Blackpool Illuminations run from around late August to early November, and are an iconic feature of Blackpool that links past with present. Originally a 19th Century show case for the new technology of the light bulb, the illuminations are now over six miles long, and use over a million bulbs, and have been described as the ‘greatest free light show on earth’.

There is much else on offer pretty much on the doorstep of your average Blackpool hotels, from the leafy retreat of the award winning Stanley Park, a sanctuary for wildlife and horticulture, to a tram ride along the promenade, a great way to see the many sculptures and art pieces installed there.

The Sea Life Centre boasts the largest variety of sharks in one collection, from native to tropical species, and is a firm favourite with children.

Another family favourite that offers a little respite from the more full-on entertainment elsewhere in town is the Blackpool Model Village and Gardens. Two and a half acres of landscaped gardens hold some charming miniature models of British life. You’ll find more information about Blackpool hotels and entertainment from a variety of sites online.