Bank holiday weekend in Blackpool

Friday 28th Aug
James and I, together with Lydia and Ben set off for a bank holiday weekend of fun!
We picked up caravan from James’s parents farm near Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

We arrived 3 hours later at our caravan site (Clifton Fields), about 3 miles outside Blackpool. It’s a very small site, with some static caravans and space for approx 20 touring caravans. Just a shower & toilet block and that’s it. A sister site next door boasted a club house and shop, but upon further investigation, no sign of a shop, and a very empty, un-inviting clubhouse.

We arrived early evening, and set up (James competently did it all, and the rest of us just watched while he cranked, wedged, adjusted wheels, connected up water, waste, gas, etc). Unfortunately the gas bottle had run out, so we couldn’t operate the cooker or fridge – no chilled wine!! James and I went off in search of a new gas bottle and left Lydia and Ben to unpack and make the caravan cosy.
We didn’t find anywhere selling camping gas but we did find a nearby pub/restaurant, which looked warm and lively and (not too expensive*), so we ventured out for our first meal of our ‘holiday’ to the Outside Inn. James and I enjoyed a very delicious steak & chips each, while Lydia opted for the gammon. Ben is a vegan, so it appears that the staple ‘meal out’ is salad and chips, this time with an added side order of peas. Yum!

The next day, Saturday, we made a packed lunch and headed off to Blackpool to spend the day at the Pleasure Beach. I had managed to exchange some Tesco Clubcard points for free wristbands which allows access into the park and any ride you want (price on the door £30 each!), which again appealed to our bargain hunting nature! In traditional British bank holiday fashion, the weather was due to be ‘changeable’ with the emphasis on rain and high winds. Nevertheless, we planned to spend all day there until closing at 9pm (to get full value for money – oh, we didn’t pay anything. Lol).

I braved the following: (in order of scary-ness):
Infusion (OMG)
Revolution (Aaah)
Avalanche (eeeh)
Steeplechase (ha ha)
Monorail (mmm)
Ripleys Believe It or Not museum (Oooh)
Dancing water fountains (la la la)
Starbucks café (yum)

Luckily (for me), because it was really, really windy, the latest ride ‘the Big One’ was closed. I was trying hard to be brave and have a go at as much as possible as I believe it’s important to live life and try and experience what you can. However, I am really a bit of a woos as far as rides goes, and I do also have a fear of heights, so I think I would probably have had to chicken out of ‘the Big One’ (everyone else admitted that they didn’t think they were brave enough either). This way, the decision wasn’t mine!

If you go onto the website, they have small video simulations (I think) of the rides. Judge them for yourself! www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

Part way through the day, we ventured outside and got our packed lunch (or as the Northerners say ‘pack up’). We took the tram from the South Pier along the prom, through the Golden Mile, past the Blackpool Tower, and up to the North Pier. On the tram, we were charged for 2 adults and 2 children! We were dishonest enough not to correct the conductor. (Liddi is 19 in a few weeks, and Ben is 21!!).

After a very hectic day of lots of scary rides and lots of weather, we decided to head back to our cosy caravan. We had a snack dinner, opened some nice wine, and played a game of frustration** (oh, you know this game surely? It’s for kids – bit like ludo. You just need to throw a ‘6’ to get started …… did you hear that Ben???!!!!)

On Sunday, we decided to calm things down a bit with a trip to Stanley Park. We hired a little motor boat and had 30 mins pottering around the lake. In the Italian Garden there was a classic car show (ok, I had googled in advance and yes, I did know it was on!). We also took a look at the Model Village. (following on from the tram ticket, we managed to get away with a ‘family ticket’ for 2 adults and 2 children!!). Bit pricey, could have done with a bit more attention to detail on the models and people especially (but it did gave us a laugh!), but on the whole if I’ve seen lots of things in miniature, it’s always good. We brought another picnic. When it started raining, we soldiered on for as long as we could until the twiglets started getting too soggy, and then we gave in and headed for a hot coffee inside the café. Heading back to the caravan, Ben had offered to cook dinner and treated us to a delicious vegan vegetable chilli. (He had brought chilli spices and I had brought veg, beans & rice. Bit like nail chilli***.)

After a calm day and a nice dinner, we headed into Blackpool for an evening of adult entertainment at Funny Girls nightclub and caberet. The website publicity is correct – it was a unique and unforgettable experience! Despite the highly entertaining bar staff, and the hugely entertaining DJ Zoe (look her up on YouTube), the show was fantastic. Very professional, spectacular, clever and funny. We especially liked their versions of ‘thriller’ and ‘Adams family’. I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting Blackpool, and I’m sure we will be visiting again.

Bank holiday Monday was warm but windy. We packed up most of the caravan and then headed back into Blackpool, walking along the prom and onto the central pier. Everything was predictably tacky and tatty, but that’s what we were expecting! Lunch was chips on the pier, and we contemplated a visit into Blackpool Tower, but decided we needed a little more time to do it justice, so will save it for next time. Into a few shops, stopped for a coffee, then back to the caravan and headed home. Good fun had by all.


*always a pre-requisite for us hardened bargain hunters.
** kids games and wine – always a winning combination!
*** reference to old folk story fondly remembered from my childhood and often still quoted called ‘nail soup’