Blackpool Tower - A shining light in a otherwise dark location (Blackpool Tower)

Member Name: dad-of-three

Product:	Blackpool Tower
Date:	30/05/09 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The circus never fails to impress

Disadvantages: Parking - As it doesn't have it's own

As a child i was a frequent visitor to blackpool and also the blackpool tower, They are fond memories but unfortunately when i take my children now blackpool has changed so much it's almost un-recognisable. Instead of the family environment once provided it is a haven for stag and hen parties most weeks of the year and as you walk down the prominade you are surrounded by drunks and swearing. That said the only break from this is the Blackpool Tower, which is why we only go to Blackpool once each year and that is to visit the tower.

The cost to enter the tower at the moment is £12 per adult and £10 per child which is not bad considering it's for a full days entertainment. Once you enter the Tower on the first floor you can either take the lift to any floor or climb a few stairs to the aquarium. On this floor you will find the buggy park where you can leave your pushchairs or shopping bags to pick them up later. The aquarium itself is not to bad, It does not compare to a sea life centre etc. but as an extra attraction it is worth having a look round as it's well stocked with different fish and always clean.

Onto the next floor and you will find the 3D Cinema and Jurasic walk which are quite good but I found the cinema a little too short, and it would of benefited from more audience envolvement as your just seated, then you wait for it to begin. On this floor you will also find the entrance to the ballroom which is a very lovely room that has really nice features and even though it's not my type of music my family finds itself spending the odd 30 minutes here just to relax, (we always sit on the upper levels as they are less congested and offer a much more relaxing environment).

On the next floor you will find the entrance to jungle Jims which I must say has improved a huge amount since I was a child and my children all love to spend time playing in there. The ages of my 3 are quite spread out with my youngest now being 2 and my oldest being 11 and they all find something to do. Also on this floor is the restaurants and bar area where shows are held for the little ones and a wide variety of food can be purchased from pizza to fish and chips.

On the next floor is the entrance to the top of the tower lift where you can queue to visit the very top of the tower which stands at 518 feet tall. The lift themselves have several glass sides so views of Blackpool can be seen while in the lifts. Once at the top you can do the walk of faith where you walk over a 2 inch sheet of glass which comes with a warning of a 380 foot drop onto the tower buildings below. This however is not the top of the tower, you will need to climb several more staircases to reach the summit, but this is well worth the climb as the views over Blackpool are very nice, especially on a clear day.

Although back down to the second floor, in my opinion I have saved the best to last and this is the Tower Circus. As I said earlier I have been for several years and I have never been disapointed with the Circus which changes each and every year. I must admit some years are better than others but all are very good. (A must see for the young AND the young at heart).

Overall a visitor attraction that is still holding onto some family values in a town that is quickly forgetting them!

Summary: A must visit for families with small children