Oh I do like to be beside the sea side

I thought it was about time I addressed the name of my blog I chose ‘a blog from Blackpool’ because well I’m a straight forward kind of girl and a blog from Blackpool is exactly what this is. I’m so proud to come from Blackpool.


For those who don’t know where or what Blackpool is good old will fill you in.

I’ve split the post up in to little sections which best illustrate why I love my home town so much.

LOCATION

For me Blackpool is ideally located 17.5 miles northwest of Preston, 30 miles north of Liverpool, and 40 miles northwest of Manchester. I commute to Manchester by train for university and it takes me an hour. Oh the other hand if you where to drive north for an hour you will find the beautiful lake district which is England's largest National Park. I can’t imagine not living next to the sea, all be it the very cold Irish Sea is lovely and I’ve spent many summer days walking along the beach and promenade. Also Blackpool is not as built up as you might expect if you venture out of town the surrounding villages and hamlets are full of parks, steams and greenery.

REGENERATION

Whilst I have always loved the town even I admit that towards the end of the 90’s and early 00’s Blackpool was looking tiered the package holiday had seen a drop in tourism and in turn the seaside industry had suffered. Over the past few years Blackpool has been undergoing huge regeneration which has made a gigantic impact and the work keeps on going.

Blackpool has street lights that do fancy light displays.

HISTORY

The more I find out about the History of Blackpool the more I become fascinated with old buildings scattered around the town. I was lucky enough to help write a book with Blackpool Heritage society along with some other writers and we got access to Blackpool’s achieves. Imaging walking in to a warehouse sized room full of files maps and objects illustrating the history of a town and the people who have lived, worked and performed there. It was pretty magical.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHOPPING


Blackpool isn’t a city but it still manages to pack in most of my favourite high street shops and they are all super close together which is great for lazy people like me. Everything is in or around the Hounds hill shopping centre and when you are done with shopping there’s tons of places to eat and drink. Not just the usual fast food chains and seaside eateries but there are also lots of little independent cafes too including a Cupcake house and an Ice-cream parlour.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTRACTIONS


Now you might think that because I live here I will have become jaded to all the tourist treats on offer but it just isn’t so here is a rundown of my top 10 things in Blackpool. ( I tend to do everything out of season when its less crowded!)

1.Blackpool zoo
2.Blackpool pleasure beach
3.Madame tussauds
4.Adrenalinezone
5.Stanley Park
6.Blackpool grand
7.Sandcastle waterpark
8.Blackpool illuminations
9.Winter gardens blackpool
10.Funnygirls

CULTURE
Yes Blackpool has culture other than the binge drinking stag and hen kind.

It has two festivals each year ‘Wordpool’ in autumn and ‘Showzam’ in spring. Wordpool is a week long literary festival of events all ver the town including performances, work hops and readings. Showzam is a cabaret festival showcasing the best of Europe’s side shows normally hosted in the Winter gardens the week accumulates in a procession of performers and fire sculptures. (The town also hosts a punk weekend and a fabulous gay pride event in the summer.)  The Blackpool tower has its very own museum inside with information of the resorts showbiz past and the Grundy art gallery has new exhibits every few weeks ranging from fine art to modern interactive pieces.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Finally I’s sorry this post has been so long and wordy and only very slightly shopping related but I wanted to share a little of me and my world with you lovely people. I like to keep my eyes open for ‘Blackpool’ themed items I happen to own a Blackpool charm necklace (ebay) and  a Blackpool vest top (Topshop) and last night I came across this beauty on Asos i couldn't resist its golden tower and it should arrive at my door in the next few days!

by Red Or Dead. (They also do bags)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Have you been to Blackpool? Would you like to go? If you have taken the time to read all or some or even a tiny bit of this long post I would be please to hear about it.
 
xx