A Weekend in Blackpool

This hotel is well presented with a good carpark at the back and many of the rooms giving a sea view. If you want to see the tower and town as well, ask for a room with a south view that way you get to see down the promenade towards the leisure park.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon after a long drive and were able to book in 2 hours ahead of the stated booking in time. We then took a swim in the nicely appointed swimming pool, and had spells in the sauna and steam room. Feeling suitably refreshed, we headed back to our room for a cup of tea (so British!). Our room was fairly small but there was plenty of room to move around and a huge wardrobe for band uniforms. The bathroom is nicely laid out, with a bath and a wonderfully hot power shower. The shampoo and soap were nice too, as they didn't smell too strong.

Breakfast is the main reason for staying at a Hilton hotel. The magical buffet breakfast is wonderful. There is a good selection of fruit juices and then cereals, fruit, yogurt, cold meats, croissants, toast, tea, coffee—plus every item imaginable on the hot food area. If you still can't find what you want, the staff are happy to cook you an omelette whilst you watch. The hotel is a mere 10- to 15-minute walk from the Winter Gardens and the main shopping area, and if you are too lazy to walk the tram stop is just opposite the hotel main entrance.

Harry Ramsden's has become something of a British institution, allegedly rolling out some of the finest fish and chips in the country. The first night, we had the basic meal. For £7 each we had white fish in batter, which was light and crisp with a stack of chips and mushy peas. This also came with a couple of slices of buttered bread, and we washed it down with a bottle of beer. It was nice, but on the second night—out of sheer laziness—we ended up in there again. This time we had the full meal; cod and chips with peas, again with buttered bread and beer. The plate is huge, and you will really need an appetite to eat it all. The quality is good, and the staff is very helpful. The food arrives quickly, and there is nearly always a queue at the door—be prepared to wait…it's worth it!

The Winter Gardens is a huge traditional style concert hall as was once seen across many British seaside towns. It is well looked after and inside houses and Opera House which sounds grand but is painted in some rather dodgy purple shades and has holes in the roof above the stage. There is another smaller hall which is an interesting shade of bright yellow and is very glitzy, ideal for a panto! There is a third hall as well, but I did not go in there. Within the complex there is a bar, which is always popular with brass bands, and a coffee bar, which sold some wonderful apple pie and other interesting cakes. The prices at both were very reasonable considering that Blackpool is a fairly expensive city, particularly for the north of the country. I'm not sure whether you are able to look around the venue normally, but if you get the chance to see a show there, it is a good idea as they have many good bands and showmen there. Radiohead was on in the evening. In summary this is a British traditional seaside building that should be supported to ensure it stays open and used, rather than falling into disrepair as many others across the country have.