Back in the 18th Century Blackpool began as a small village with a great beach - no less than seven magnificent miles of sand. The resort grew rapidly in Victorian times with all its -major attractions within a stone’s throw of the sands. Nowadays entertainment in all its forms is Blackpool’s great attraction, but the beach is still a magnet for many - a place to snooze away hot afternoons, a space for family fun and games. The sands stretch from the bustling Central Beach with its donkeys, ice cream and seafood stalls to the tranquil wide open spaces of Bispham to the North and Squires Gate to the South.

The brash and bustling Golden Mile offers seaside favourites like hamburgers, chips, ice cream and candy floss. A place where silly hats and saucy T-shirts are the order of the day. The Golden Mile is also the slot machine capital of Britain where giant leisure centres are interspersed with the latest video technology. Discos, cabaret spots and exhibitions are all to be found on Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile. Among the latest additions to the Mile is the £6m Sea Life Centre with its thrilling "shark tunnel". Do the Golden Mile on foot to savour all the sights, sounds and smells, then see it again from a tram or one of the fleet of horse-drawn landaus!

Blackpool Zoo Park is only two miles from the Promenade and the clever landscaping makes it easy on the feet. The Zoo Park is one of the most modern in Europe, with a carefully planned environment of spacious moated pens, lakes and islands. Don’t forget to take the camera for some terrific pictures of the big zoo favourites like lions, tigers, elephants, apes and a fine collection of marsupials. A family favourite is feeding time for the sea lions in their modern pool.

Blackpool continues to be first for new ideas. Leading the way for all weather and all round family fun is the Sandcastle - Blackpool’s tropical indoor seaside. This giant watery playground complete with palm trees and exotic plants has something to suit all ages. Experience the thrills and spills of water chutes, wave and fun pools, a safe kiddies harbour and the exhilarating white knuckle water slides. Captain Sandcastle’s Adventure Playground with giant inflatables, ball ponds and serpent slides is a child’s paradise and with bars, cafes, sunbeds and amusements, the whole family can enjoy an entire day out under one roof.

The Sea Life Centre Wonders of the deep come into sharp focus at the Sea Life Centre where visitors come eye-to-eye with the largest sharks on display in Europe. Forget old-style aquaria this is a pioneering, state of the art approach which helps us understand and respect the world’s marine life.