IF you didn’t grow up sat behind a gingham windbreaker with a bag of chips and a stone in your jelly shoe, you didn’t spend your childhood at the great British seaside.
Some of my fondest childhood memories were sat on the beach, with my mum and dad and my Nanny Eva.
7
7
7
Our pale limbs turning pink in the sun as we tried to hoover up a Mr Whippy 99 flake before it melted down our arms.
Now, I have a family of my own and holidays are less simple and a lot more expensive.
As a Disney fan, I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida over 50 times.
We love the sunny weather, the rides and characters, as well as the food and experiences in the USA.
However, it’s a world away from my holiday memories of getting the train from London to Blackpool, usually in the October school holidays so we could see the Blackpool Illuminations.
When I was growing up in the 1980s, we didn’t have the money to go on holidays abroad. I was eight when my family flew on a plane for the first time.
By comparison, my children are already travel veterans, navigating the airport like seasoned pros and thinking nothing of boarding a nine-hour flight to the sunshine state.
However, making sure my kids have less flashy, more realistic holiday memories is important to me as someone who grew up in a working-class family.
Can’t beat a Brit beach
In my opinion, Blackpool in Lancashire is the perfect British beach destination and it seems like coachloads of beach-loving Brits agree.
The colourful city by the sea often tops the list of best beach destinations in the UK, as well as recently being dubbed the ‘friendliest’ in a poll by train company, LNER.
Blackpool attracted 6.8 million visitors to its famous Victorian promenade in July last year, with the number of holiday-makers growing every year since tourist destinations reopened after Covid.
Despite the cost-of-living crisis, beach-loving Brits know Blackpool will be a budget-friendly break for families.
As well as golden sandy beaches, a wide variety of attractions and lots of seasonal events, Blackpool is known for its huge number of independently-owned Bed and Breakfasts.
Here, guests will get a friendly welcome, a proper English brekkie and can be walking distance to the sights for an affordable price. B&Bs in Blackpool range from between £30 and £85 per night on average, which compared to a trip to Florida, is a fraction of the cost.
Mickey Mouse may be busy Stateside, but Blackpool has plenty of characters – locals aside!
7
7
7
7
The new Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse on the promenade is a hit with young families and those who want the adrenalin of white-knuckle thrill rides can head to the Pleasure Beach Resort – starting, of course, with The Big One, which is so tall it can be seen for miles along the seafront.
Nearby Blackpool Zoo is also a draw for families, with a new Big Cat enclosure opening last year.
For me, it doesn’t get better than a trip up to the top of the Blackpool Tower for perfect views along the coast and big dollop of nostalgia.
There was no spine-tingling glass floor Skywalk when I was a kid, but just the ride up in the steel lift takes me back to being six years old, holding hands with my nan as we stepped out onto a platform 120ft in the sky.
Below ground, the famous Blackpool Circus is still delighting guests and everyone wants a glimpse of the beautiful Tower Ballroom, with its sprung floor and vintage Wurlitzer organ.
If you’re lucky, you might catch a performance while you are there, taking you back in time to the 1930s. Blackpool has history and that’s why its popularity has lasted through the generations.
As I walk along the beach this time, I spot a group of pre-teens in Jelly shoes. Apparently, the iconic footwear is back in fashion again, much like Blackpool itself. Timeless.
Free summer holiday activites
You don’t need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer…
Museums – Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids.
Parks – Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy.
Beach – It doesn’t have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland.
Library – If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds.
Cooking – Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge.
Playdates – Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising.
Boardgames – Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble.
