Golf Trip Report - Blackpool

According to a very informative Website, Lancashire or more predominantly Blackpool is the place to be.

The biggest and most popular seaside resort in Europe and depending on who you speak to it has been named the ‘capital of entertainment’.

But what about the golf? Blackpool is situated on one of the most famous coastlines for golf courses in the U.K
Royal Lytham and St Anne’s is a stone’s throw away from the Golden Mile but that’s not all. Southport and Ainsdale a Ryder Cup venue back in the Thirty’s is just down the coast but others such as Fairhaven and Saint Anne’s Old Links are well worth a visit.

If links isn’t your thing then don’t be put off. The area has some great inland courses depending on where you are staying or travelling to. Whether it’s Manchester or Macclesfield or Liverpool or Lytham you will find a great course.

My Stay

Back in Blackpool, I opt to stay away from the promenade and the sea front for now and stay at the fantastic De Vere Herons Reach. Set well enough away from the hustle and bustle but still only 10 minutes away the resort has everything you could hope for.

Leisure facilities include Sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, gym, tennis courts and not to mention their own 18 hole championship golf course.

Very friendly staff and two restaurants on site means you don’t have to leave the resort of you don’t want to.

Attractions

The good thing about Blackpool is you will always find something to do. A day at the Pleasure beach is always fun for the family as is Blackpool Zoo which incidentally is right next door to Herons Reach.

If you venture into the town then you won’t be far away from the sea front and also the World famous Blackpool Tower.

Below the Tower is another famous landmark, the ‘Winter Garden’. The performance venue has hosted a variety of events from Frank Sinatra back in the golden era to the PGC Darts championship they host there every year. The ‘Garden’ has 12 unique ballrooms and theatres and is always a washed with colour and great atmosphere no matter what time of the day.

Up and down the sea front you can go and walk on the three piers Blackpool has to offer. The North, South and Central piers offer something for everyone from music shows to fairground rides.

Another option is to catch a tram and go up and down the Golden Mile stopping off at your favourite amusements, shops or for the best doughnuts and fish and chips around. A new addition to the ‘Mile’ is the £6 million Sea Life centre.

Blackpool is arguably most famous for is the illuminations. If you go between the end of August up to November then you will get to see the famous lights. The ‘Blackpool Illuminations’ run for sixty days along the six mile promenade and in at the centre of it all is the Tower which is lit up and can be seen for miles at night.

FACT:Blackpool gets more visitors a year than Greece and the Greek Isles
FACT: Blackpool has more holiday beds than the whole of Portugal

Accommodation

As Blackpool attracts over 16 million people every year, you won’t be surprised to know that you have a few options on where you want to stay.

Top-class 5* hotels, Self-catering apartments, bed & breakfast motels, guest houses and camp sites I’m not lying when I say there is literally something for everybody’s needs.

Hotels:

•    Hotel Sheraton
•    Cliffs Hotel
•    The Big Blue

Self Catering:
•    The Beach House
•    Lanswood Apartments
•    Burbage Holiday Group

B&B’s and Guesthouses:
•    Number one South Beach
•    The Lawton
•    The Grenadier

Camping, Caravaning and Holiday Parks:
•    Ribby Hall Village
•    Newton Hall Holiday Park
•    Windy Harbour Holiday Centre

Getting there

By Car:
From the North: From Scotland and the North of England, join the M6 (starts at Carlisle). Travel south until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
From the South: From London and the South East join the M1 and travel north to Birmingham. From Wales, Bristol and the South West, take the M5 and travel North to Birmingham. Join the M6 (starts at Birmingham) and travel north until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.

Rail:
Blackpool has two stations, North and South. North being the main and busier station.

Air:
Blackpool International Airport flies to over 20 European destinations and is just minutes away from the Town centre by car.

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