Attractions of Blackpool with Russell, Jane & Naomi

 Attractions of Blackpool 

It was off to visit the bright lights of Blackpool and what a memorable day we had at all the attractions! Seeing the iconic tower standing tall was a sight to behold. Luckily for us we even got a glimpse of the famous donkeys! 

We rose 380ft into the sky to the top of the Tower and on leaving the lift some of us were a little scared especially when we spotted the Sky Walk. We dared to walk out onto the thick glass viewing platform spotting the famous Blackpool promenade below us. Within time, we all became brave and even sat on the glass for photo shoots, well done all! 

It was off to Madame Tussauds, a chance to rub shoulders with UKs best loved celebrities, sports stars, music icons and TV favourites. We had great fun with the Strictly Come Dancing team, joining them on stage, raising our judges paddles whilst taking many photos. We stood alongside sports heroes- Mo Farrah and Lewis Hamilton and stepped into the Marvel universe with the Incredible Hulk taking turns to show our strength by lifting the front of a car up off the floor whilst posing for photos.

 Thor and Groot were a firm favourite for some of our Marvel fans. Meeting Ant & Dec was a delight for many in I’m a Celebrity jungle, as was seeing Ken, Deidre and Bet Lynch in the Rovers Return, Tammy and Rosemary both posed with Bet whilst she pulled a pint. In the music section, we spotted Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Sir Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey. We walked on the famous Abbey Road with the Beatles and then posed with the Queen and Prince Charles now King. The Festival Fields were next where we came face to face with Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and KSI.

We felt very lucky to be stood in the infamous Tower Ballroom. Such a beautiful room, full of elegance and charm with its sparkling chandeliers, decorated ceilings, ornate balconies and sprung dance floor, what a venue. The stage featured a live organist playing many tunes whilst dancers were enjoying various ballroom steps around the dance floor. Richard was keen to enjoy a waltz as was both Rosemary and Tammy. We twirled around the dance floor doing our best to mimic the moves, just enjoying the moment and taking in the atmosphere. 

A fabulous day at  Blackpool Zoo  with over 1000 animals to see. It was going to be a fun packed, full-on day. The zoo was officially opened in 1972 by Johnny Morris, the star of TVs Animal Magic riding on an elephant! We spent a wonderful day amongst the animals, getting up close to giraffes, elephants, orangutans, gorillas and monkeys to name a few. We experienced a wonderful sea lion show and a bird demonstration where exotic birds and owls flew over our heads which caused us all to duck down! 

The dinosaur safari was awesome, and we came face to face with the terrifying tyrannosaurus rex, mighty marine reptiles and more than 30 other prehistoric creatures. With the sound effects and authentic living plants and trees, it really brought the prehistoric world to life. 

It was off for an afternoon at the Circus. Sweets bought, we settled into our seats and waited in anticipation for the show to begin. Legendary clowns Mooky and Mr Boo made their appearance creating laughter with their hilarious antics followed by a female juggler who amazed us all by using her feet to juggle various items, absolutely awesome. Glitzy dancers appeared between acts; their outfits were stunning. The Kenyan Limbo dancers were energising and so much fun to watch and the Laser show was spectacular creating lots of applause from the crowd. The motorbike trio, ‘Globe of Speed’ was truly awesome, they amazed us when all 3 were racing together inside the metal globe. It was jaw dropping to say the least! 

Our underwater adventure at the SeaLife Centre started at the rock pool to admire the pretty starfish and watch the small crabs and other marine life in their habitat. Next, we walked through the Quayside and marvelled at the sharks and rays swimming about in their huge tank. The Rainforest Adventure was superb as we viewed piranhas, poison dart frogs hiding amongst the leaves and rocks before entering the Ocean Tunnel where we could experience life under the sea without getting wet. We loved meeting Phoenix, a magnificent giant green turtle rescued from the Cayman Islands. 

Canterbury & Margate - Dreamland with Aljona & Jackie

 Canterbury & Margate

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, and what a glorious day for it! 

We set off on an adventure aboard the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, a historic steam train that winds its way through some of Kent’s most picturesque landscapes. The rhythmic chugging of the engine, the scent of coal in the air, and the vintage carriages took us back in time as we gazed out at the breathtaking views. Rolling green hills, vast fields dotted with sheep, and the expansive open skies made for a truly magical ride. Our first stop was New Romney, a charming little town filled with character and warmth. 

With much excitement we headed to Dreamland in Margate, an iconic seaside amusement park full of colour, music, and nostalgic charm. Upon arrival, we grabbed a few refreshing drinks to keep us cool before the excitement began. Our first ride of the day was the classic Gallopers, a traditional carousel that set the tone for the light-hearted joy that followed. Some of us then took on a round of crazy golf — with Andrew, Lisa, and Gary enjoying the friendly competition (and a few missed shots). But the star attraction of the day was without question the Dodgems. Everyone had a go, but Allan was completely hooked — he went on eight times, closely followed by James and Emma, who couldn’t get enough either. The sheer happiness on their faces was something truly special. A

But the star attraction of the day was without question the Dodgems. Everyone had a go, but Allan was completely hooked. In the afternoon, we took on the Pirate Ship — a high-swinging thrill that had us all gripping the rails — followed by the upbeat Rock ‘n’ Roll ride, which had everyone laughing and shrieking in equal measure. 

And of course an ice cream treat is a must!

A lovely day was spent at Whitstable, famously known for its oysters and relaxed coastal atmosphere. Once we arrived, we took a peaceful walk along the coast, the salty breeze in the air and the gentle sound of the waves creating a beautifully calming start to the day. The sea shimmered in the light, and we took our time admiring the view. After soaking in the scenery, we stopped for lunch, enjoying some fresh local fare, with oysters naturally on the menu for those feeling adventurous. The next highlight of the day: a trip aboard a vintage lifeboat. The boat carried us gently over the water, and it was lovely to view the coast from a different perspective — the sea stretching far into the horizon, dotted with sails and seabirds. 

We returned to Canterbury, where we enjoyed a refreshing drink before setting off for a visit to the majestic Canterbury Cathedral. The grandeur and history of the cathedral left us all in awe.

It was off to Port Lympne Safari Park, a place many of us had been looking forward to. The excitement began almost immediately as we made our way through the enclosures. We saw the magnificent African lions, calm and regal in the morning sun, and the striking Amur tiger, whose powerful presence captivated us all. We continued on to the Land of the Apes, where we were lucky enough to catch the gorillas during their snack time — watching them enjoy their food was both fascinating and heart warming. Alongside them were various other monkeys, each with their own playful charm. We stopped for lunch and some refreshing drinks, enjoying the warm weather which continued to bless us throughout the week. Climbing aboard the safari vehicle, we ventured through expansive plains where we encountered an incredible variety of animals in open, naturalistic habitats. We saw elegant giraffes, powerful black and white rhinos, and unique species like the red lechwe, blesbok, roan antelope, deer, water buffalo, and camels. One particularly interesting fact we learned: camels can survive without water for weeks, but when they do drink, they can take in an astonishing amount.

We set off for one of the most iconic landmarks in the country — Dover Castle. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and the excitement in the air was unmistakable. The walk up to the top of the castle grounds was well worth the effort. From the summit, we were met with breathtaking views stretching far across the English Channel. The vast blue sea, the crisp breeze, and the sheer height of the vantage point made for a truly unforgettable sight. We explored every corner of the castle itself — wandering through grand halls, old stone rooms, narrow stairwells, and hidden nooks. Each space seemed to hold a piece of history, and we found ourselves absorbed in imagining what life was like in centuries gone by.