Prices for Blackpool hotels vary depending upon time of year and individual specials that the hotel is offering. Compared to many holiday locations, Blackpool is quite inexpensive for accommodation, as it is a town specifically catering for tourism and gets a lot of trade. Hotel prices don’t need to be extortionate.

Hotels Blackpool websites

It is always wise to shop around for a hotel, and there are many hotels Blackpool features on listing websites. These websites function to provide reviews, star ratings and hotel prices and locations. You can easily find information on the area where the hotel is located too.

You can then visit the actual hotel’s website you are intending to visit. The smart online shopper will know that it is always wise to check the home site too. Sometimes, the listing website won’t have the home website special offers and vice versa. Take a few more minutes to check out each site carefully.

Making the deal

It is always possible to negotiate an individual deal with hotels Blackpool has advertised, as many are owner operated. Families have long histories with the hospitality trade in Blackpool, with some involved in running the attractions and rides on the piers, others run restaurants, others work in the entertainment industry.

Depends what you frame as your reason for discounts and deals, and you will find Blackpool hoteliers friendly, yet firm in business. They will do you a fair deal if you have unusual travel arrangements.

Ireland travel

If you plan to make it all the way to Ireland and your journey is quite long, stopping off in one of the great hotels Blackpool has on offer gives you the chance to visit Britain’s number one tourism capital.

With hundreds of millions of regeneration projects completed in 2011, Blackpool has changed significantly, and now features many outdoor cultural and art projects, alongside sparkling new buildings and glitzy promenade walkways.

Blackpool hotels are sprucing up rooms and aiming for top provision and customer service to cater for the high amount of new visitors already booking in for the very first time. In line with the increase in tourism numbers this year, hotels Blackpool has known for many years have gotten on board with the new changes to Blackpool town.

The brainchild of Robin Ross and his partner Caroline Fisher, the pair gathered talented graffiti  artists from all over the world and styled an industrial warehouse space to showcase their work.

Representative of the outdoor terrain that is normally the territory of the spray can aficionado, turning a space into a formalised art presentation for the general public … worked.

Was caging the “street” inside a building a betrayal?

Street artists notoriously resist any kind of normalising and homogenising. How could the work of artists be identified and located in an exhibition space and still call itself “street”?

Dear reader, if you have not kept yourself up on the movement of street art into a commercial art form – you’ve missed the Banksy coffee books for sale in American Apparel clothing stores. “Street” has become a strong message. A message for sale.

Investment bankers stick it on their walls. Sloane rangers buy it to liven up their bathrooms. Messages of “fight the power” slide through. The punk mash message from the 70s has become the commodified product of desire in the noughties.

It’s art son, but it ‘aint free.

Tell me, would our street artists be more authentic if they were on the “rock and roll” instead? Isn’t the aim of any society to encourage and … ahem … pay … its artists?

I’d rather pay artists than bankers any day. The fact that the power holders of an elite society fund the messages of rebellion is “sweet” – don’t you think? Maybe that is the ultimate achievement of an anarchist movement – the establishment accepting there will always be rebels worth listening to.

If the calibre of the artists Ross and Fisher have managed to attract for 2012 is anything to go by, their test-tube experiment has been a roaring success.

 Robin’s name dropped on Facebook some of the 2012 artists for Sand, Sea and Spray Blackpool: “Big names now confirmed, Smile from Lisbon, Lonac from Croatis, London Police… legends.. Guy Denning really nice man and so good.. Dale Grimshaw.. Accringtons finest.. J’s from Austria.”

Makes sure you checkout hotels Blackpool has near the venue so that you can enjoy the full delights of Blackpool town alongside the Sand, Sea & Spray Blackpool 2012 event.

The event also features DJ artists in the scene, social events and a gathering of the artists themselves. The “street” art scene is still a place where the masses can mix with the majors and everybody is cool with it. Get yourself down to Sand, Sea & Spray Blackpool 2012 for a dose of contemporary edge.

Elton John tours Blackpool this June and this seasoned veteran rock and roll performer shows no sign of slowing down as his “Rocket Tour” takes off around the country. Appearing at Tower Headland Festival Venue after a 30 year absence from Blackpool, Elton John is the first artist to perform in the brand new outdoor concert theatre.

 The opportunity to be part of the 20,000 crowd for this spectacular outdoor light and pyrotechnic adventure is not to be missed.

June 16 at the Tower Headland Festival Event Venue explodes for one night with Elton John and Band igniting Blackpool’s newest premier venue with his stunning theatrical and musical show. Famous for extravagant costumes, gravity defying hair pieces, outlandish glasses and electrifying stage presences, the “Rocket Tour” promises state of the art stage technology and choreography sure to rock the house.

Elton John Electrifies Tower Headland

Elton John will be performing a mix of old and new songs. Favourites include “Your Song,” his first chart topper from 1971 alongside “Kiss The Bride” about his marriage to Renata in the 80s. “Crocodile Rock” still has the power to get the most sedate onlooker dancing and singing along, with “Candle in the Wind” an ever present reminder of the late cultural icons Marilyn Monroe and Diana, Princess of Wales.

The magic of Elton flows into his off stage persona known for lavish parties and particularly London Fashion Week after-parties and his annual summer soiree. Elton has married male partner David Furnish, blazing a trail on a social level being a much loved public person who has never denied his private life is just as important. Pushing conventional boundaries towards the modern era, the couple have adopted a child and are a legally recognised two parent family.

A waxwork of Elton John resides in Madame Tussauds, yet this cultural legend and music star is far from ready to be put in a box and labelled an icon. His zest for life and stage presence draws in each and every audience member, and many in the crowd at the Blackpool stop on the “Rocket Tour” will have been to see him before.

Elton has some loyal fans and booking seats early for the “Rocket Tour” is good advice. The Blackpool Tower Headland Festival Venue is a unique stop on this tour, as the potential for outdoor sky rockets and phenomenal dimensional acoustic effects sure to appeal to Elton’s crew.

The Houndshill Shopping Centre has an amazing central foyer display each year, and we recommend you visit Debenhams to see their Christmas display for Santa’s grotto, and their general shop floor display at the main entrance. The Blackpool High Street loves Christmas time, with an array of street performances, mime artists, Santa Clauses and market vendors with fairy floss and roasted chestnuts to be found dotted along the shopping district.

Attractions at Christmas

Traditional Blackpool Christmas attractions include the annual Pantomime at the Grand Theatre in Church Street. This year they are staging Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the star is Coronation Street’s Vicky Entwhistle. For those of you that follow Corrie, she played Janice Battersby and was infamous for a series of episodes involving knicker-stiching. Perhaps she landed the role in a Christmas Panto for her home-made stocking efforts!

The Blackpool Tower Circus always puts on a special circus and clown performance for Christmas time, and so do other regular acts. Funny Girls can be found performing their Christmas Show in the town centre, Dickson Road, sending up all things ‘funny’ and ‘girly’ with their annual Christmas production.

The Merlin company keep their attractions open during the Christmas and New Year period, with Madame Tussauds, Mooky the Clown at the Tower, Santa’s grotto in the newly opened Blackpool Tower Eye viewing area, and Santa “Claws” at Sea Life all being able to be visited. For the more squeamish among you, there is Satan’s Grotto at the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, and along with the Dungeon attraction and theatrics, will provide you with a scary laugh.

Head down to the South Beach area if you cannot go without some water action over Christmas and visit the indoors and heated Sandcastle Waterpark. Pleasure Beach Resort is also open, with all of the rides to enjoy, alongside Nikelodeon Land for the younger members of your family. Blackpool Zoo is also open for visits, and there is a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes catering to your every whim over Christmas time. Enjoy!

The exciting find led to more excavation, and proof of the existence of human habitation in the area circa 10,000 BC. The earliest records of a town called Poulton are from 1086, and there are historical records of note that a tribe called the Sentanti lived in the area as early as 1 AD.

Trade history at Poulton-le-Fylde

With the modern harboursides of Skipton and Wardleys reachable from both ends of the small town of 18,000 inhabitants, today Poulton-le-Fylde is less significant as the major port town for Russian and American imports, and more well known for its history.

It is not hard to imagine why Poulton-le-Fylde was an ancient human site of renown, as the port links to other parts of the world would make it a land stop for weary travellers arriving from the Scottish north, and desiring to go inland with traded goods, along the River Wyre. The archaeological excavations in the area, support this theory, and significant amount of Roman trade occurred in the early part of the 4^th century, as Roman coins and other evidence has been found buried.

Poulton-le-Fylde is worth a day trip, and walking through its cobbled streets, admiring its ancient buildings, from all centuries, is a photographer’s delight. You can visit the Singleton Maize Maze, both a tribute to the important corn trade in Poulton-le-Fylde in the 18^th century, and a challenging maze to navigate through. It is very large and an excellent labyrinth to conquer.

The market square has been trading since 1348, making this one of the oldest active and historical marketplaces in England. You can view stocks that are still in place, where thieves, in particular, were held, so that the crowd could throw last week’s rotten vegetables at them. The market itself is still trading on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Poulton-le-Fylde has old world charm, excellent ancient pubs in 19^th century buildings, and lovely tea rooms and cake shops. For a leisurely day out, take a stroll through the quieter, yet charming village of Poulton-le-Fylde

Sushi cuisine is a specialised food from Japan that is taking over the London dining scene and The Sands Venue is right on trend, offering this and other specialised fine dining treats in The Sea View restaurant. Combine this with the elegant decor and beautiful ocean views and you have a night to remember. You can watch the New Year’s show from the restaurant balcony, or troop downstairs to the dance-floor and shake the night away.

Music Delights and Tribute Specials

Alongside the excellent service and friendly, helpful staff, The Sands Venue offers a wide range of music shows to suit all tastes and styles. Tribute acts that have played in 2011 include David Bowie, T-Rex and Elvis Presley, and touring acts such as jazz star Snake Davis, and singers like Richard Shelton ensure that there is a wide variety of entertainment on offer.

Themed nights feature too on the program, Mexican night is popular with the tunes from the band creating a fun atmosphere. Tea dance Tuesday evenings feature the world famous Frontline Dance Band, who play a host of songs that get the hips moving and the grooves shaking to waltzes, fox trots, new vogue and Latin sets. This is becoming a hugely popular night out, and with the band’s experience on the QEII demonstrating a showmanship that is second to none.

Jive night specialises in this fun dance that originated in the 50s, Swing night follows jazz dance melodies from the 20s to the 50s. To make the most out of the Sands Venue, bring your best dancing shoes and study up your technique so that you can show off your moves.

For a more relaxed meal you can eat in the brand new deli, which is of course, licensed, and has a wide range of hot food such as layered salmon in puff pastry, with celeriac and carrot puree and winter vegetables. Care has been taken in this venue to provide a stylish dining experience alongside wonderful music with dancing.

For a truly special night out while in Blackpool, visit the Sands Venue Blackpool and take a whirl around the dance-floor decades

Most flat owners will leave you a welcome pack containing all the information on the local sights, and where to eat out.  You could catch a show on the Central Pier such as The Legends, take a tour into town to see Funny Girls, or go to the swanky restaurant and music venue; The Sands. Some providers offer discounts on tickets, recommend restaurant favourites, and of course, have leaflets on all the Blackpool leisure and pleasure attractions, fun fair rides, and delights of the three sea-side piers.

Various Locations to Suit

Private flats to holiday rent can be located anywhere along the seven mile strip, and many will have been independently owned and managed by one family for a long time. Blackpool tourism began in 1895, and today’s small population of 150,000 cater to over six million visitors each and every year, taking pride in being a strong community of ambassadors for tourism in the UK.

If you’ve chosen this option you could be here for longer than the standard holiday week. Blackpool is host to many international championships and sports fans might like the holiday flat option in order to be able to attend the World Matchplay Darts Championships, The World Open Golf Championships at Royal Lytham Golf Club in 2012, or perhaps the annual Pigeon Show or World Championship of Magic is what attracts you to Blackpool.

There is plenty to see and do in Blackpool with the world famous North, Central and South Piers, and Blackpool Promenade providing options for eating out, clubbing and strolling at night, to riding the fun fair rides and visiting the Sandcastle Waterpark for action water slides. Don’t miss a visit to the new Blackpool Tower Eye sky-walk platform, with a fabulous view of the sea-side on offer, and check out the new Madame Tussauds while you are there.

Enjoy your stay in Blackpool Holiday Flats, and discover the delights of the busiest sea-side resort in the UK.

I forgot to mention the other main benefit of Blackpool Caravan Sites, the offer of outdoor barbeques, which in the middle of summer can really make self-catering ideal. You can also check for a variety of extras, as some caravan parks have a bar/restaurant on site; swimming pools; disabled facilities; saunas; gyms; and some are located next to fishing areas.

The Best of Blackpool

A Blackpool Caravan Site can offer you a wider range of choices than staying in hotel accommodation. If it is time with the family you need, you can set out the marquee and play board games outside the caravan, and meet other families and socialise. If you wish to hit the town, there are all of Blackpool’s attractions to delight you nearby to your location.

Blackpool has a large array of tourism attractions, including Madame Tussaud’s, Coral Island game parlour, Blackpool Dungeon and Tower complex, Blackpool Tower Circus with Mooky the Clown and fun fair rides of all descriptions available on the North, South and Central piers.

A day at the seaside might appeal, with Blackpool Beach stretching before you with its twinkling golden sands. You could catch an exhibition at the Empress Ballroom and Winter Gardens complex, home to such extravaganzas as the Strictly Come Dancing 2012 final; British Hairdressing Championships and World Magic Championships, to name a few.

It is worthwhile checking what is on at Blackpool at the time of year you go, as the town hosts many international standard sporting events, and has the Open Golf Championships in 2012, the World Matchplay Darts Championships and Showzam Blackpool.

All the family will enjoy a visit to the Blackpool Zoo, the forty acre Stanley Park, and the Tower Festival Headlands with the fantastic art projects visible from a walk along the beachside promenade area.

Catch a show with comedian Billy Pearce, a regular face at the Grand Theatre on the North Pier, or check out Joe Longthorne, for a truly sensational night of singing and entertainment. You might want to dance the night away at The Sands Venue, where you can get a lovely meal in their mezzanine restaurant.

Blackpool Caravan Sites give you accommodation and travel options for your next trip to Blackpool.

 Those visitors who are Self Catering in Blackpool will be hoping to make the most of what is on offer, Merlin Group entertainments such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the Blackpool Tower complex, Tower Circus and Madame Tussauds, and looking over the stunning views of the North, Central and South Piers from the brand new Tower Eye, vertigo skywalk experience.

Home Away From Home

Those who like their creature comforts can quickly adopt a self catered apartment to their every need. Shop around to find accommodations of different sizes, periods and locations, you can afford to be really specific, and you might get a superior location if the centre of the action is what you are looking for. The Blackpool Tourism Advice Centre within the new Vegas Style wedding chapel on the promenade is a handy stop for those staying close to Blackpool’s centre.

As you take the colourful, historic trams and buses around Blackpool, self catering is a great option if you want to eat in more, and return for lunch. While cleaning services are provided, you can usually arrange the time that suits you, staying in for meals, until you find yourselves tempted by the array of fabulous dining options available on the promenade and piers. No one can resist Blackpool’s culinary charms for long!

Venture outside of town to see the historic Stanley Park, taking a pedal boat on the lake or lounging for afternoon tea in the famous Victorian tea rooms. Blackpool Alien attack is open all year round and so is Blackpool Dungeon, if you need to be scared so much you will giggle, followed by a Carnesky’s Ghost Train ride. A host of bars and clubs are available and especially good service and discounts are giving to party groups, who often like to go the self catering route.

Make the most of Blackpool by seeking the option of Self Catering, Blackpool hotels and all accommodation choices.

The owls are the main attraction during winter season, as they return to Marton Mere to mate and breed. There are guided tours to show you where they nest and it is wise to bring binoculars in order to see these birds up close. The Ranger Service maintains the area, which has been designated as a National Site of Specific Scientific Interest, particularly for the purpose of bird populations.

Protected Flora and Fauna

This wetlands reserve, is also host to many other important UK species of dragonflies, bats, and butterflies. There is unique flora too, in the form of rare orchids, yellow rattle, marsh woundwort and the pretty birdsfoot trefoil.

Some of the butterflies you might spot include the meadow brown, red admiral, and the common blue. The gatekeeper butterfly can also be identified in the wetlands, and predator birds like the marsh harriers, bitterns, water rails, whimbrels and the lively ospreys can be seen from the many hatch vantage points.

Around the wetlands themselves, you can spot within the reed habitat many nesting species of birds, including red warblers and reed bunting. The slightly smaller Breeding sedge warblers can be spotted in the reed banks too, with peregrines, sparrowhawks, long-eared owls, and merlins flying overhead at various times of the year.

The park is maintained by the Blackpool Council Ranger Service and a host of Volunteer Rangers who can be any age. An interest in conservation and wetlands, and the desire to help is the only qualification needed. The site, Marton Mere, is a lake that was formed over 10,000 years ago, or the end of the last Ice Age, and is one of only two in existence in Lancashire. As you can imagine, this makes it an important breeding ground and stopping point for the species who used it.

Before many people lived in the area, other marsh animals such as beavers, elks, wolves, wild boar and bear provided plenty of food and hunting for the local population. The education centre shows how you would have lived off the land, catching wildfowl, fish and making reeds into thatch for houses. Marton Mere Nature Reserve is an interesting and educational day out for all.