Blackpool - What do you think

[lord of the seas]

Surely, not a popular flight

[English Jane]

You are awful!:D

 

I expect it's as much about travelling North to South (or vice versa) as it is about specific departure or destination points.

[SelectSys]

Blackpool turned out to be a great day trip for our family. We had a great time at Pleasure Beach, riding the trams, and eating way too much junk food and candy. People were extremely friendly to us and we didn't experience any anti-social behavior.

 

Big Wally's assessment was spot on and I would recommend Blackpool to anyone looking for a somewhat tacky, throw back theme park / seaside resort experience.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool, That's noted for fresh air and fun,

And Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom , Went there with young Albert, their son.

A grand little lad was young Albert, All dressed in his best;quite a swell,

With a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle, The finest that Woolworth's could sell.

 

They didn't think much to the Ocean: The waves, they was fiddlin' and small,

There was no wrecks and nobody drownded, Fact, nothing to laugh at at all.

So, seeking for further amusement, They paid and went into the Zoo,

Where they'd Lions and Tigers and Camels, And old ale and sandwiches too.

 

There were one great big Lion called Wallace; His nose were all covered with scars,

He lay in a somnolent posture, With the side of his face on the bars.

Now Albert had heard about Lions, How they was ferocious and wild,

To see Wallace lying so peaceful, Well, it didn't seem right to the child.

 

So straightway the brave little feller, Not showing a morsel of fear,

Took his stick with its 'orses 'ead 'andle And pushed it in Wallace's ear.

You could see that the Lion didn't like it, For giving a kind of a roll,

He pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im, And swallowed the little lad 'ole.

 

Then Pa, who had seen the occurrence, And didn't know what to do next,

Said " Mother! Yon Lion's 'et Albert," And Mother said " Well, I am vexed!"

Then Mr. and Mrs. Rarnsbottom, Quite rightly, when all's said and done,

Complained to the Animal Keeper, That the Lion had eaten their son.

 

The keeper was quite nice about it; He said " What a nasty mishap.

Are you sure that it's your boy he's eaten ? " Pa said "Am I sure ? There's his cap! "

The manager had to be sent for. He came and he said " What's to do ? "

Pa said " Yon Lion's 'et Albert, And 'im in his Sunday clothes, too."

 

Then Mother said, " Right's right, young feller; I think it's a shame and a sin,

For a lion to go and eat Albert, And after we've paid to come in."

Then off they went to the Police Station, In front of the Magistrate chap;

They told 'im what happened to Albert, And proved it by showing his cap.

 

The manager wanted no trouble, He took out his purse right away,

Saying " How much to settle the matter ? " And Pa said " What do you usually pay?"

But Mother had turned a bit awkward, When she thought where her Albert had gone.

She said " No ! someone's got to be summonsed", So that was decided upon.

 

The Magistrate gave his opinion That no one was really to blame,

And he said that he hoped the Ramsbottoms , Would have further sons to their name.

At that Mother got proper blazing, " And thank you, sir, kindly," said she.

" What, waste all our lives raising children, To feed ruddy Lions? Not me!"

[bigwally]

Blackpool turned out to be a great day trip for our family. We had a great time at Pleasure Beach, riding the trams, and eating way too much junk food and candy. People were extremely friendly to us and we didn't experience any anti-social behavior.

 

I am very glad that you had a good time.

[standby 06.30]

Someone mentioned Chester, no contest, www.chestertourist.com regards

[tobes]

I just went back and read this thread from the beginning. Next summer, my son and I are attending the British Open and planning to see the surrounding areas. Blackpool was on the list. What other areas do you suggest we add to our itinerary. Have been to London twice but never to the northwest part of the country. Thanks for any info, Judy:)

[jimc_usa]

The Lion and Albert - Stanley Holloway I believe, I haven't heard that in 40 years - thanks

 

I was born and bred?(dragged up) west of Salford/Manchester and we went to Blackpool every year on the last week in July and the first week in August. All the coal mines, factories and foundries would close down in the Northwest for those two weeks and Blackpool was packed (crowded).

God I love Blackpool even with all its sins. Yes its crappy and old fashioned and maybe its still living in the 60's, but visiting the northwest and not going to Blackpool is like going to Buffalo, NY and not visiting Niagra.

The smell of fish and chips, shrimp(prawns) and curry. Watching through the glass how the put the name Blackpool in the center of the Blackpool Rock.

Going on the pier and taking in a show (Cilla Black)! Rolling up your pants and wading in the cold, black Irish Sea.

There are many Bed & Breakfasts, forget the hotels. Live dangerously, stay in a B&B - you have not lived until you've shared a bathroom.

Ahhhhh nostagia................

[bigwally]

I was born and bred?(dragged up) west of Salford/Manchester

 

What part of Salford precisely, Jim? I was born in Hope hospital. My parents still live in Broughton (off Great Cheetham Street near Albert Park).

 

For Judy. I think you already had Liverpool and Manchester on your list. If you can get to north Wales, you'll find some real olde worlde charm in places like Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.

[tobes]

Jimc and Bigwally, you are both a wealth of information. If I am staying in Liverpool, are Blackpool and Manchester day trips from there? I am going to be with my 19 year old son and he wants to do the Beatles tour and go to some clubs, etc. What else might be of interest to him? I don't know whether we are going to fly into London or Manchester yet. We have been to London twice and were thinking about avoiding the summer crowds in the city. I have considered Wales, also Scotland, Ireland etc. I am just in the beginning stages of planning the trip but booked a package for the Open because they sell out fast. All suggestions from anyone are welcome, thanks so much, Judy:)

 

 

 

 

What part of Salford precisely, Jim? I was born in Hope hospital. My parents still live in Broughton (off Great Cheetham Street near Albert Park).

 

For Judy. I think you already had Liverpool and Manchester on your list. If you can get to north Wales, you'll find some real olde worlde charm in places like Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.

[kazover40]

You could try the Devere Hotel, it is away from the promenade near to the Zoo and Stanley Park. A couple of decent hotels in ST Annes are the Dalmeny or the St Ives. These three all have pools! The kids will love the Pleasure Beach! But do consider Alton Towers!

 

There is one really good thing in Blackpool! The plane to the Isle of Man Which I took 30 years ago lol

 

Yes Blackpool is pretty run down and it is a pity they did not get the super casino which would have generated jobs etc.

 

It is now UB40 land, (UB40 is the unemployment form for obtaining cash hand-outs and a lot of the small guest houses home them!

 

You will love The Lake District, there is so much to see and do! For all ages!

[bigwally]

There is one really good thing in Blackpool! The plane to the Isle of Man Which I took 30 years ago lol

 

Actually the Isle of Man used to be a really nice boat trip out of Fleetwood too. I don't know if those boats still run or not, but I think I'd rather do that than fly (even though it would take longer).

 

Judy, remind me again....were you going to have a car, or will you be primarily using public transport?

[kazover40]

The boat from Fleetwood now that was a great day out!

 

They now sail from Heysham and Liverpool

 

I was born in Fleetwood Big Wally

[bigwally]

I was born in Fleetwood Big Wally

 

We used to have a Fish & Chip shop in Fleetwood. I was too small to remember precisely where, but it seems to me it was along one of the main drags - maybe Lord Street or the Poulton Road. I'll ask my Mum next time I speak to them.

[kazover40]

We used to have a Fish & Chip shop in Fleetwood. I was too small to remember precisely where, but it seems to me it was along one of the main drags - maybe Lord Street or the Poulton Road. I'll ask my Mum next time I speak to them.

 

Was that when you where "Little Wally" lol:D

 

What a small world we live in!

[tobes]

I know that we will be taking the train from Liverpool to the Open each day but when we are ready to move on, we thought we would try driving on the wrong side of the road! It's on my list of "have to try it once" Judy:)

 

 

 

 

Actually the Isle of Man used to be a really nice boat trip out of Fleetwood too. I don't know if those boats still run or not, but I think I'd rather do that than fly (even though it would take longer).

 

Judy, remind me again....were you going to have a car, or will you be primarily using public transport?

[kazover40]

I know that we will be taking the train from Liverpool to the Open each day but when we are ready to move on, we thought we would try driving on the wrong side of the road! It's on my list of "have to try it once" Judy:)

 

Don't sit on the left of the car Judy you won't get very far lol:D

 

No it is really easy to drive on the opposite side you are used to so long as you are not driving a LH drive car.

[SelectSys]

Jimc and Bigwally, you are both a wealth of information. If I am staying in Liverpool, are Blackpool and Manchester day trips from there? I am going to be with my 19 year old son and he wants to do the Beatles tour and go to some clubs, etc. What else might be of interest to him? I don't know whether we are going to fly into London or Manchester yet. We have been to London twice and were thinking about avoiding the summer crowds in the city. I have considered Wales, also Scotland, Ireland etc. I am just in the beginning stages of planning the trip but booked a package for the Open because they sell out fast. All suggestions from anyone are welcome, thanks so much, Judy:)

 

We flew into Manchester and stayed in the city with day trips to surrounding areas. Manchester was a breeze to fly into with quick lines at immigration and fast baggage processing. You probably can get a train to Liverpool right from the airport.

 

Manchester itself was a nice town - we were there during a month long arts festival. The central city has been fixed up quite a bit and is easy to get around in with reasonable restaurants and entertainment. It also made a great base for going to Blackpool, the lakes, and Chester.

[jimc_usa]

What part of Salford precisely, Jim? I was born in Hope hospital. My parents still live in Broughton (off Great Cheetham Street near Albert Park).

 

For Judy. I think you already had Liverpool and Manchester on your list. If you can get to north Wales, you'll find some real olde worlde charm in places like Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.

 

I was born in Swinton (of Swinton & Pendlebury), swallowed up by Salford, who now spends all the money(according to my mum who still lives in Pendlebury) on the Quays.

[jimc_usa]

BTW isn't Hope hopital closed now?

[jimc_usa]

Jimc and Bigwally, you are both a wealth of information. If I am staying in Liverpool, are Blackpool and Manchester day trips from there? I am going to be with my 19 year old son and he wants to do the Beatles tour and go to some clubs, etc. What else might be of interest to him? I don't know whether we are going to fly into London or Manchester yet. We have been to London twice and were thinking about avoiding the summer crowds in the city. I have considered Wales, also Scotland, Ireland etc. I am just in the beginning stages of planning the trip but booked a package for the Open because they sell out fast. All suggestions from anyone are welcome, thanks so much, Judy:)

 

Blackpool is straight North from Liverpool (60 miles) http://www.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner_main.jsp

and Manchester is straight East(34 miles)

As for the Beatles: http://www.beatlesstory.com/

I went to the Cavern when I was 15 and the Beatles were the Quarrymen.

[bigwally]

BTW isn't Hope hopital closed now?

 

I think the NHS has tried many times, but not succeeded. Last I heard (I guess this would be around Christmas time) the Maternity unit was on the chopping block.

[jimc_usa]

I think the NHS has tried many times, but not succeeded. Last I heard (I guess this would be around Christmas time) the Maternity unit was on the chopping block.

 

In 1993 I took my uncle to Hope to have his arm x-rayed, I was amazed that everwhere was carpeted. How the heck do they clean and sterilise?

[tobes]

Found a detailed driving itinerary that goes from Manchester to The Lake District, Hawes, York, Durham, North Pennines and Kielder Water. It even lists things that are musts to see and do. I think this will be a great start for me. Now I just need to figure out where to go next and if I want to return to fly back from Manchester or continue on and fly out of some other airport. If anyone knows the next logical step for this "road trip" please let me know. Judy:)

 

 

 

 

We flew into Manchester and stayed in the city with day trips to surrounding areas. Manchester was a breeze to fly into with quick lines at immigration and fast baggage processing. You probably can get a train to Liverpool right from the airport.

 

Manchester itself was a nice town - we were there during a month long arts festival. The central city has been fixed up quite a bit and is easy to get around in with reasonable restaurants and entertainment. It also made a great base for going to Blackpool, the lakes, and Chester.