Everyone knows Blackpool. Its tower, the three piers, the trams and the Illuminations have been delighting visitors for well over a century and still, it’s Europe’s most visited tourist resort. Legendary nightlife and the UK’s best-loved funfair add to the town’s appeal yet there’s a lesser known Blackpool - magnificent winter sunsets, the stately beauty of Stanley Park, the emergence of a stunning contemporary landscape through an ambitious regeneration programme – that you’re bound to find magical.

Pubs, Bars and Clubs

Blackpool has a lively and diverse nightlife, with venues that cater for everyone’s individual tastes. It’s home to the UK’s biggest superclub – The Syndicate – spread over three palatial levels with a capacity of 5,000. The town is also famous for its gay scene, with the supermodern and multi-level Flamingo nightclub a favourite venue.

Music and culture

Guest DJs and local bands are a regular feature at the town’s many clubs and pubs while at the famous Winter Gardens, you can catch some of the music scene’s biggest names. The town’s also a magnet for comedians and entertainers.

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is famous for major touring productions and its fabulous ornate décor. Culture vultures also have cinemas, the Grundy Art Gallery and an excellent library to enjoy.

Sport and leisure

Blackpool has three 18-hole golf courses (one municipal), an athletics track and stadium, go-kart tracks, sea and fresh-water fishing, swimming pools, bowling alleys, public and private gyms, more than 50 grass and hard tennis courts, an ice-skating rink and numerous cricket, rugby and football pitches. Horse-riding and flying lessons are also available.

Leisure facilities abound at the town’s numerous parks and open spaces, with Stanley Park – a 256-acre oasis of formal landscaping, woodland and boating lake – a firm favourite. Thrill seekers will love the Pleasure Beach – recently voted Britain’s most popular tourist attraction – with the world’s biggest collection of white knuckle rides.

Food and shopping

Of course, the fish and chips are legendary but you’ll also be impressed by the range of Caribbean, Greek, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean and Thai cuisine.

For shopping, there’s all the high street names, plus plenty of individual and alternative shops, markets, and of course, seaside souvenirs! If you like a bargain, Freeport, a designer discount outlet at nearby Fleetwood, is only a tram-ride away.

Nearby

Just a couple of miles down the coast are the refined resorts of Lytham and St Annes, making a contrast to the sparkle and fizz of Blackpool. For big city lights, Manchester and Liverpool are about an hour away by road or rail. If the countryside calls, then Blackpool has a galaxy of beautiful places close by, whether you want the Lake District or the unspoiled Lancashire fells.

If you fancy hotter temperatures, low-cost airlines fly from the muchexpanded Blackpool airport, so European attractions are within affordable reach too.