There’s something for everyone at Blackpool Pleasure Beach – from one of the world’s oldest working rollercoasters, built entirely of wood, to the scalp-tingling Ice Blast. The Pleasure Beach also plays host to the Big One – a massive 235ft drop of a rollercoaster, which can hit speeds of nearly 90mph. As the UK’s highest and quickest roller-coaster, it’s also one of the most popular attractions in the theme park. There are plenty of rides and attractions suitable for young children, and a number of bars and pubs for the adults. You can bowl, ice skate and visit classic seaside arcades – and for the curious, there’s the brilliant Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Great for: Day Trips

Commanding the town skyline, the Blackpool Tower remains one of the north’s most recognisable attractions. Built as a replica Eiffel Tower in the last decade of the 19th century, the Tower includes the Eye (a viewing area at the top of the tower); the Blackpool Circus; the Tower Ballroom; and the Tower Dungeon. The Circus is purpose built, and offers an intimate setting for seasonal fun. The Tower Ballroom is Strictly personified, and its famous sprung dancefloor still creaks every night to the gyrations of thousands of couples. The Dungeon is located in the basement, and incorporates a drop ride with actor-led performances. Not for little ones.

Great for: Day Trips

Blackpool Zoo is home to more than one and a half thousand animals, including gorillas; lemurs; giraffes; wolves; and elephants. Most of the animals are kept in themed enclosures (like “Gorilla Mountain” or “Lemur Wood”). There’s also a Dinosaur Safari area, which contains life sized fibreglass models of the most famous dinos. You can watch the animals being fed (check the feeding times table for details), and learn about them at the same time: penguins, sea lions, elephants, big cats and otters all take a turn in the limelight. There are loads of special talks, too, including a creepy crawlie one!

Great for: Day Trips