(I live by the sea...so a bit of a busman's holiday I guess!! Lol) The local coach company did a day trip to Blackpool yesterday. Its about 12 years since we last went with the kids so we decided to go along for the ride! The weather was great, we walked miles popping in a couple of pups along the way for a tipple. We didn't 'do' any if the attractions, we just walked the prom and the piers and reminised past trips. Its sad to see so many empty buildings and derelect hotels. The British holiday habit has changed so much in recent years, the call for traditional seaside holidays has given way to cheaper package holidays abroad which gaurentees the weather.....unlike home. Its said in the 70s/80s there were over 3000 small guest houses in Blackpool (not counting the larger hotels) now...its less than 900. Wow.....😔 There is still plenty to do here....but it really would be an expensive week with a couple of kids in tow! We had a nice day tho.......
@mysteryespresso ooh 'eck! Climbing it would take some doing!! Lol But there is a lift up to the viewing platform and if you are very brave and its not too windy you can climb a flight of stairs to go higher!! I've been to the top before a few times, but not climbed the stairs! Im not good with heights and last time i went up there with hubs and kids I didn't have a panic attack (like previous visits) and managed to stand on 'the walk of faith' ...a glass panel in the floor to look staight down! They were proud of me...or more likely relieved I didn't collapse in a quivering mess and embarass them....so they bought me a certificate to prove i did it!! Lol
I've not been to Blackpool but did visit Morecamble one August day a year or so ago.
Morecambe still has a fine sea-front but go inland a couple of streets and the town-centre does look as if it's seen better days.
Even the railway station has been moved back. Its original building, if I recognised its architecture correctly, is on the sea-front, and seems now to accommodate a pub and a tourist-information centre. The modern station is a smaller, bland "official-style" creation about half a mile inland, on the fringe of the town.
Such towns developed in the heyday of "Wakes Weeks" (annual factory closures for fixed one-week holidays) and excursions by train, but with little else to support themselves when the tourists go home.
@RubySoo Not all: it depends what else they offer, mainly proper employment around them or within easy commuting distance. I live near one that does do that.
It'salso helped if they can attract more than the 'Three-Esses' visitors; and for much more than July and August. (Out of peak season, is also when we locals can emerge to enjoy our own area's attractions while they stay open. Some are open all year round. Or are always "open" anyway, such as coastal walks. )
@ArishMell I stick with 'all' seaside towns. The tourist trade is nothing like it was. Nowhere does more than Blackpool to prolong its season. The lights start the end of August and traditionally carried Blackpool's season well beyond the 6 week school holiday peak. Ive lived at the seaside all my life. Every town on the coast has declined dreadfully. Thats not to say tourism in Britain isn't flourishing in other areas, other activities...... but the traditional british seaside holiday will never regain the popularity it once had.
@FreddieUK erm....nope!! Lol Its windy in the summer, let alone midwinter!! As a child, we always visited in the October school hols to see the illuminations. The winds were so strong and biting!! We'd all link arms just to stay on our feet!!
