A Guide to Blackpool by David Atkinson

Blackpool makes for a quintessentially British escape...

Why Go?

The traditional seaside resort may not be everyone's stick of rock, but beyond the garish, kiss-me-quick bravado you'll find that art-deco heritage and old-fashioned charm lend the resort a frisson of faded grandeur. And according to the programme-makers, Blackpool's Tower Ballroom is the spiritual home of Strictly Come Dancing...

Where to Stay

Boutique Langtrys is the latest in a new breed of stylish Blackpool guesthouse. To capture the spirit of Blackpool's halcyon days, the grand-dame Imperial Hotel has been going strong since 1867. Its No 10 bar is where political heavyweights traditionally downed a nerve-steadying tot before delivering a keynote address at political conferences. The Beach House has self-catering family apartments with boutique-hotel fittings.

Don't Miss

The Tower Ballroom has twice hosted the Strictly Come Dancing finals, and taking afternoon tea there is perhaps the quintessential Blackpool experience. Pensioners cut a rug on the dancefloor, calorie-laden pastries are devoured with gusto and the stage opens up to reveal a museum-piece Wurlitzer organ, framed beneath a line from Shakespeare carved into the gilded ceiling: "Bid Me Discourse, I Will Enchant Thine Ear."

For an educational aside, the Solaris Centre hosts free exhibitions about green issues locally and globally. Blackpool's trams celebrate 125 years in 2010 and many heritage trams still tirelessly trundle along the seafront.

Where to Eat

The promenade is awash with fish and chip restaurants but the best is hidden away in the suburb of Marton – a fiver in a taxi from the Central Prom. The Cottage has been frying since 1940 and comes with Rick Stein's seal of approval. Sit in for a glass of wine and a fish supper. Another classic is Notarianni's, the only original, family-run ice-cream parlour left in town. Dating from 1928, it retains the art-deco counter and still serves the Notarianni Sundae in the colours of Italy. Toast is one of the new school of downtown cafes with a fresh approach to the fry-up breakfast – try the Lancashire rarebit brunch.

The Perfect Pub

For ambience, try the 1920s Oyster Bar at Blackpool Pleasure Beach which serves a glass of house champagne and three oysters for around GBP 6.50 until 8pm. For real ale and banter with friendly local market traders, head for the Pump and Truncheon on Bonny Street. Try a pint of Thumb Ducker, brewed down the road in Poulton-le-Fylde.

Retail Therapy

Brooks Collectables on South Promenade is a treasure trove for collectors with everything from 1960s Matchbox cars to 1970s Star Wars figures. The owners opened the Brooks Museum of Memorabilia upstairs. to showcase a vast collections of toys, Blackpool souvenirs and rare pictures of yesteryear Blackpool. Free entry.

Take a Walk

A trail with a difference, Blackpool Tower has introduced a behind-the-scenes heritage tour, led by local town crier Barry McQueen, to explore the historic nooks and crannies of the iconic building, which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and built in 1894. The one-hour tour includes the circus, the silver landing, the ballroom and the organ chamber, detailing some of the characters and anecdotes that have slipped into the annals of Blackpool history.

Take the Family

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is best known for its white-knuckle Big One, but it still has lots of the more genteel, art-deco rides, such as the 1930s wooden rollercoasters and the Flying Machine, designed by Sir Hiram Maxim, who went on to invent the machine gun. For a breath of fresh air away from the seafront, Stanley Park has open space, a boating lake and ornate Italian gardens for a rare moment of calm before Blackpool at night!