Blackpool screams hen party, and it’s a north-west destination that caters for everyone’s budget. You and the girls are guaranteed to have plenty of laughs here, especially if you book a weekend that includes a visit to the famous Pleasure Beach.
- Blackpool’s Pleasure Beachjohnthescone / Foter / CC BY
Filled with every kind of ride, the theme park is popular with young and old alike, and will provide you and the hen party with a fantastic day out, all for just a few pounds. If you’ve never been to this corner of Blackpool before, or need reminding what’s there, I’ve put together a brief guide as to what you can expect.
What kind of rides are there?
Whether you’re up for going on the scariest ride possible or prefer something a little more sedate, Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach has something for you. Starting at the white-knuckle part of the scale, the famous Big One is not to be missed if this type of ride is for you. Make sure you purchase a photo of the bride screaming into the camera, which will no doubt provide you with lots of giggles over the weekend!
This rollercoaster climbs to 235 ft before dropping you at up to 87 mph down a 65-degree angle. A mile long, this ride will certainly get your heart racing! For something not quite as scary, the Big Dipper is a lot smaller – but still includes twists, turns and five drops.
Aside from the Big One, another ride that provides you with brilliant views of Blackpool is the Ice Blast. This shoots you up a steel tower into the air as fast as 80 mph, so remember to keep your eyes open so you can admire the stunning scenery of the promenade, beach and ocean.
Some of the more sedate rides you can enjoy if the white-knuckle ones aren’t for you include the Ghost Train, Tea Cups, Alice Ride and Dodgems.
Is there anything else to do?
When I think of the Pleasure Beach, I just focus on the rides, and always forget the park is home to so much more than this. You and the girls really don’t need to travel far to have some more fun, as there is also a variety of shows put on.
Hot Ice is an ice-skating extravaganza that ramps up the glamour stakes, while Beyond Belief is a mix of animal tricks, magic, comedy and singing. I think Blackpool is fabulously cheesy, so make sure you stock up on Kiss Me Quick hats on the promenade so you and the ladies stand out in the crowd.
There are also eateries within the Pleasure Beach, so you really have everything you need in one place. However, if you did want to do something else while in the seaside resort, hen parties have plenty to choose from.
Dance sessions, spa treatments, perfume workshops and a studio recording session are just a handful of the activities hen ladies can get stuck into when away for the weekend.
My top tip: Hen weekends by Maximise and other hen package operators can often be a lot more convenient than trying to arrange the celebrations by yourselves. For example, you are typically quoted a set price for accommodation, Pleasure Beach tickets, a meal and entry to a nightclub, so once you’ve paid you don’t need to worry about anything except transport.
[box]Will Stearn splits his time between trying out extreme activities in exotic locations, and working in London for Maximise.co.uk.[/box]
