I am a true "sandgrown'un" as they say in my home-town of Blackpool in Lancashire, England! For those of you not familiar with the Lancashire dialect, it actually means "sand grown one", someone who is born and bred in Blackpool, the most famous seaside town in all of Great Britain. The reference to the sands is due to the fact that Blackpool has 7 miles (11 km) of golden sands.

Blackpool is in the North West of England, 28 miles (45 km) north of Liverpool and is famous for it's Illuminations and for the Pleasure Beach (a funfair), built in 1905, and home to the "Big One" the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world!                           

It's most famous landmark has to be Blackpool Tower, a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Tower was built in 1894 and stands 500ft (152m) high.

Blackpool also boasts 3 piers, North Pier (1863), Central Pier (1868) and South Pier (1894). The Piers along with the famous Winter Gardens play host to many of the country's top stars and shows.

Blackpool Illuminations are as famous as the Tower and the Pleasure Beach and are billed as the world's greatest free show. The lights, as they are known to locals, began in 1912 and extended the holiday season for a further 8 weeks, bringing in an income that hoteliers in other resorts could not compete with.

It seems apt that Blackpool should be famous for it's "lights" as it was the first place in the world to have electric street lighting in 1879.

Many people complain that Blackpool is a brash and rowdy resort, but it has an attraction all of it's own. From "kiss me quick" hats and donkey rides on the sands to sticks of Blackpool rock (candy) and street trams that run the length of the sands Blackpool is unique. It is vibrant and cosmopolitan and a fun place to be.

Blackpool became a popular destination from Manchester during "wakes weeks" which is when the factories closed and the workers had their holidays. It also became a popular choice for Edinburgh and Glasgow wakes weeks. It now enjoys visitors from around the globe. For the more sophisticated traveller, a day trip to the Lake District is recommended, which is within easy reach of Blackpool.

Blackpool is now a popular destination for "hen" and "stag" weekends due to it's numerous pubs and nightclubs. It is also a popular place for gays due to the upsurge of gay pubs and nightclubs. Funny Girls is a unique bar and nightclub where there is a nightly show by the "girls" and gay and straight people mingle freely together.

Whatever your type of holiday, whether for couples or families Blackpool offers it all. It may not have the weather that other countries have but it is certainly the capital of fun!