A Jawsome trip to Britain’s favourite seaside resort
A shark streaks towards me - and he is not after a cuddle. I keep calm and carry on swimming. Snorkelling With Sharks is just one of the extreme experiences at Blackpool Sea Life Centre.
A SHARK streaks towards me - and he is not after a cuddle.
Deep breath. Now, keep calm and carry on swimming.
Snorkelling With Sharks is just one of the extreme experiences at Blackpool Sea Life Centre — and a brilliant introduction to the Lancashire resort. Fun for all the family, all year round.
The family, in this case, is two hard-to-please teens, their dad and myself. The boys wouldn't normally be seen dead with us but this trip drags them off their phones and into the real world.
The Big Blue Hotel gets the thumbs-up too — a cool and modern spot next to the Pleasure Beach. The bar buzzed on our first night with a smart, young crowd.
My lads are big eaters but even they were almost defeated by the excellent mixed grill, burger, club pizza and stuffed aubergine.
Come morning, the promenade makes for a stylish stroll with its giant pebble seats, swaying pod sculptures and sands stretching as far as the eye can see. But we had no time to lose.
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We were off to see the sights, armed with our Blackpool Resort Pass Plus cards. Madame Tussauds didn't disappoint — so many "celebs" looking the real deal.
I cosied up to Simon Cowell for an X Factor chat while the boys hovered by Becks and smashed goals past Joe Hart. Soaring over the resort is the mighty Blackpool Tower.
A ride to the top is not for the faint-hearted but be brave, for the view is wondrous. We were whisked up to the 4D cinema before stepping on the glass Skywalk.
I held my breath — and clung on to a girder. The lads showed no fear, clicking away on their cameras.
I showed them what I was made of back on terra firma. Ten minutes out of town is the Ascent Trampoline Park.
"Trampolining's not for mums," my sons insisted — so naturally, I decided to have a go.
While smalls were having a ball, parents were all over it too, sweaty and shiny-faced. It is knackering. For a pre-show dinner, try Blackpool's slice of South America, Las Iguanas. Smoky chilli, pulled pork and nachos go down well with the salsa beat, a good warm-up for the Legends cabaret at the Sands Venue.
Here, a shimmying Tina Turner, Poker-Faced Lady Gaga and a strutting Freddie Mercury blast out hit after hit for the baying crowd.
Come Sunday morning, the sun was out and the Pleasure Beach beckoned for shrieking, head-spinning thrills on the rides.
The Big One is as mighty as promised, with Infusion, Avalanche and the Big Dipper getting huge respect too. The park was bursting with tots on rides lower down the fright-o-meter.
We lunched on noodles from The Wok and Ice Lounge toasties before an unmissable treat at Notarianni's ice-cream parlour near the prom, where sundaes slid down in silence.
Blackpool "has it all", according to the billing. And we agreed.
The famous illuminations were switched on yesterday, so it's a great time to visit. It is a belter of a resort, whatever the weather and your age. If my two picky lads admit it was "brilliant", you're sure to have a blast.
GO: BLACKPOOL
STAYING THERE: B&B at the 4H Big Blue Hotel is from £105 for a superior family room (two adults, two kids). See or call 0871 222 4000.
OUT AND ABOUT: The Blackpool Resort Pass Plus offers entry to nine attractions, including the Pleasure Beach and rides, the Blackpool Tower Eye 4D Experience, Madame Tussauds, the Sea Life Centre and more. Valid for seven days, costs £80. See .