Our day out at Blackpool Tower
Of all my memories from childhood, one of my favourites will always be my visits to Blackpool and going up the iconic Blackpool Tower. Over the years we’ve had some fantastic days out at the Tower Circus, braving the lift to the top, and running wild in Jungle Jims, and I want the same for my children. And although we’ve had some great days out there with Lewis, we’ve never taken the youngest three. Until now that is!
Blackpool Tower has seen some huge changes since our last visit, including various new attractions, and the children were so excited to visit! With so much to do it was important that we planned our day beforehand, and our first stop was the all new for 2018, Dino Mini Golf attraction. Harry is absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs so was particularly looking forward to it.
The Dino Mini Golf is a lot smaller than we expected and yet I guess the clue is in the name. Luckily we were there as the doors opened so we had it to ourselves for a short while but as other visitors came in it did begin to feel a little crowded. With Eva, Megan and Harry being just six, five and four, we soon realised that perhaps our plan of a nice civilised game of golf was a little ambitious…
For Harry, he just wanted to mount the dinosaurs, whack anything in sight and basically be a nuisance…
Whilst Eva, who hates losing at anything, became increasingly frustrated at not being able to do it that she resorted to merely placing the ball in each hole….
After deciding that maybe golf wasn’t for us, we headed over to something a little more on the children’s level – Jungle Jim’s!!
Jungle Jim’s is the ultimate indoor play area for kids, complete with soft play for younger children, all set within an amazing themed ‘Lost City’.
With a huge range of swinging, sliding and climbing contraptions, including a huge four lane glide slide and ballpool, we didn’t see the kids for dust! Each time they emerged for a drink or to tell over each other (when do they grow out of that?!) their little faces were redder and sweatier than the last. There is a limited play time at Jungle Jim’s, counted down by a stop clock on the wall, and so when the time was up and every child had to leave, we didn’t have any tantrums as the children simply accepted that it was time to move on. I love that idea!
Our next stop was The Blackpool Tower Eye and, I’ll be honest, I really wasn’t looking forward to that part!
The Blackpool Tower Eye starts with a visit to a 4D cinema where we were treated to a 4D film showing the history of Blackpool Tower along with some special effects! It was funny to see the children’s surprise as the floor started to vibrate and we were sprayed with water. But the part they were most excited for was making our way to the top!
A lift takes you up a whopping 380ft to the top of the Tower where there is the famous Skywalk – a five centimetre thick glass viewing platform!! Of course my Harry went charging over, jumping up and down like a lunatic, while I stood clinging to a pillar, rigid with fear!
Megan wasn’t initially convinced but with a little persuasion she made it onto the Skywalk. The same couldn’t be said for me!
The view from the top is pretty special where you can look out into the Irish Sea and see the famous Blackpool Promenade below you. With views over Bowland, up to the Lake District, and on a clear day down to Liverpool and across to the Isle of Man, once I’d dragged myself away from the safety of the pillar, it was definitely worth it!
Once you reach the top there is also the option to go up even further to an enclosed outdoor area, which of course the children wanted to!
Once we were safely back down on the ground, it was time for my favourite part – the Tower Circus!! I have so many memories of the circus from school trips or days out with my parents, and I love that regardless of how many years pass between visits, the Tower Circus never disappoints!
The circus runs twice a day and on admission you can choose your show time and even pay extra for ringside seats. For those who haven’t paid the extra, they do tend to start queueing early to get the best seats so I definitely recommend being there well before the show begins!
Our first stop was to load up on snacks and I was pleased to see that the prices are reasonable with family packages available where you can buy four drinks and four snacks for £15. You can also buy flashing wands and light up toys but these did seem a little expensive and with three children we were happy to distract them with popcorn and slushies!
The Blackpool Tower Circus has been entertaining audiences since 1894, whilst Mooky the clown and Mr Boo have been going for over two decades now, and as a double act they are just hilarious to watch!
This year The Blackpool Tower Circus celebrates 250 years of circus and the show reflects exactly that. With a combination of slapstick comedy and death defying stunts, the circus combines artists from all across the world showcasing their talents from over the years.
The children were completely mesmerised by the show, watching in amazement as trapeze artists were suspended from the ceiling and trampoline acrobats perform the most impressive of moves.
But my favourite part always comes at the end when the ring fills with water for the grand finale! Even when I’ve seen that part countless times, it always takes me back to being five years old and feeling all of the magic of the circus!
And once the circus had finished, no trip to Blackpool Tower would be complete without a walk along the promenade, enjoying some good old fashioned fish and chips and all three children falling fast asleep on the drive home.
When it comes to days out in the North West, we can’t recommend Blackpool Tower enough and I’m sure that we will be back again in no time!
For more information visit www.theblackpooltower.com
** We were gifted tickets to Blackpool Tower for the purpose of our review. All words and opinions are my own. **
Oh wow, there is so much to do at Blackpool Tower! Everything is so clean and organized too which is always a huge plus! The golf and jungle jim’s looks like fun. I’d be clinging to the building if I was up there lol but what great photos you got!
Thanks Becky! We had such a fun day! xx
That looks a lot of fun. You can tell by Eva’s face that she really wants to win the Crazy Golf! I’m not sure I would have enjoyed the trip to the top of the tower. I hate heights!
Haha me too! It wasn’t my favourite part! xx
Wow…I had no idea there was so much to do there. Its a long long way for us but if we are ever heading there, I’ll make sure we pay a visit!
It’s one of, if not the best day out we have in the north west! xx
Haven’t been to Blackpool for ages. The last time I went with the kids was a couple of years ago to see the illuminations. It looks like there’s loads to do now. The dino crazy golf is right up our street ( have dino mad kids). Think we need to put it on our list of things to do this summer!
Its; always worth a trip, there is so much to do there now! xx
Aw this takes me right back to my childhood. I used to go to Blackpool Tower every year as a child, and I even celebrated my 18th birthday there! It looks so small in your photo. I remember looking up at it as a kid and thinking it was huge! Nikki x
Hah yes me too! it’s still high from the top though!! xx
I can’t believe I’ve never been to Blackpool! There is so much that Max would love here – the dino golf (although perhaps more the dinosaurs rather than the golf, much like Harry!), and he’s been nagging me to take him to the circus for absolutely ages – he’s a huge fan of slapstick! I’ve not actually heard of the circus here before – it looks amazing. I can’t believe they fill the ring with water!
The circus is fab Katy! Maybe worth a road trip! xx
first i enjoyed looking at the photos, ur kids are just so adorable! and this place im sure is a great learning experience!
Thank you! xx
This looks fab. I went to Blackpool as a kid but we didn’t go in the tower itself. Plus it was the 90s then and it was probably a bit crap. I always get blown away by the tower ballroom on Strictly, it’s stunning. Looks like you had a great day, even if Eva wasn’t overjoyed with mini golf!! Her face!!!
Yes! The ballroom is spectacular! It always makes me feel like I’ve gone back in time! xx
What an amazing trip. I remember visiting Blackpool when I was younger as well! It looks like it has changed a lot since then though. My two would absolutely love that dinosaur mini golf and the circus show. It looks incredible!
There are so many new attractions! it’s fab! xx
I know for a fact my husband and I would be hanging out at the mini golf area the whole time LOL!
Haha it’s fun to do! xx
I love this. The Blackpool Tower is SO much fun. I lived in Blackpool, not far from the tower actually, for several years and still pop back when I can. I absolutely love it there. And the tower circus is amazing, as well as the Jungle Jims! It’s also cool to see the addition of the dino golf!
The circus is one of the best around isn’t it! xx
This looks like such a fun place to bring kids for some fun educational experiences! My son would particularly love the dinosaur golf course!
Its a lovely new addition! xx
I’ve always wanted to visit Blackpool and see the lights/attractions there! You can’t beat the seaside during the summer 🙂
Oh I love the illuminations too! And fish and chips on the prom! xx
Wow this place looks amazing, and like nowhere we’ve ever been before. What a great way to spend the day with kids!
It definitely never grows old! xx
Blackpool is one place I have never managed to make it to – I would love to go one day though as it seems like such a fun place to go and explore.
Seems like you had an amazing time at the Tower, I had no idea there was so much there!
There’s so much there Sarah! Dungeons, the ball room, so much to fit in! xx
Oh wow! This looks like a lot of fun! Your photos are great! I love the innocence captured in the pics of the children. It looks like they really enjoyed checking everything out. 🙂
Thank you so much! xx
The last time I went to Blackpool tower I was about 14 years old and I remember going to watch the circus with my dad. I loved it so much!
It hasn’t changed at all! xx
Amazing, Blackpool sounds like fun,i love the photos they are wonderful and beautiful too i hope that one day faith takes me there on a tour.
Fingers crossed! xx
Wow, I can’t believe how much there is to do there! We’ve never been, but next time we’re in the North West I’m making a note to visit Blackpool Tower!
Oh you should! It’s worth a trip! xx
What an amazing place for the whole family to visit. LOVE the view. And I know the kids would love the circus.
We all had a really fun day! xx
I so want to visit Blackpool tower now! Great article with beautiful imagery, thanks for the share.
Thank you Bia! xx
Sounds like you had a busy day with your little ones! Jungle Jim’s looks so fun . . . it’s a wonder they had any energy left after that!
Haha I know, they slept on the way home! xx
I’m desperate to go up, I’ve been to Blackpool twice and still not managed it! I loved watching your stories on instagram when you were up there! Love a Circus too, sounds like a great day out!
Thank you! The circus was the best part for me! Firmly on the ground! xx
It looks amazing! I’ve never been to Blackpool and it’s definitely somewhere we would love to visit. Those views are spectacular, I love going up high Towers. I have a head for heights x
Ahh see I really don’t. There was very nearly tears…haha! xx
Your whole day looks like a lot of fun. My kids LOVED dinosaurs when they were younger. I have fond memories of visiting many dinosaur museums.
Ahh mine too. They are obsessed! xx
I have not heard of this before, Blackpool Tower looks like an amazing place with loads of entertainment and views. I am excited to learn about this location.
Thank you Brandy! xx
I haven’t been to Blackpool for years. Never overcome my fear and gone up the tower though. Jungle Jim’s looks like so much fun
Ahh if I can do it so can you, just hang on to the pillar! xx
What a neat place to explore, and I love the way your photos came out. It just seemed to capture the moment and the ambiance of the tower. Apparently I am descended from Isle of Man and I would love to visit there someday.
Thank you! Oh I love the isle of man! xx
I’ve never heard of this place but I know my kids would love it! I am going to have to put this on our list!
Definitely! It’s worth a trip! xx
Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Its a really fun day out! xx
I went up the Blackpool tower last year and it was good fun, I wish that we had done the circus though x
Oh the circus is our favourite part! Next time! xx
Your children are so brave standing on the glass floor of the tower! Blackpool certainly has so much going on with the beach and all the attractions. A great family day out or holiday!
They’ve made a lot of improvements to it lately and the actual promenade itself! xx
I have never been but now that I’m watching how much fun you had I want to go to!!
Haha it’s worth a trip! xx
Two very adorable kids having fun? Aaaw!Now that is definitely sweet! Blackpool Tower is no doubt a perfect getaway with the kids especially that they have too much to engage in:right from playing golf, to watching the sea, to swinging and yes, watching the circus! We know kids with being playful,right?
Yes! The circus was my favourite part, I think it never grows old! xx
We loved our visit to Blackpool a couple of years ago and the highlights were climbing the tower and the circus – looks like there is even more to do now
Yes they’ve added a few new attractions, including the dungeons! xx
That looks like a great time for the family. I wish there were things like that to do around here.
It’s such a fun day out. we are lucky to be local! xx
Such an amazing place and it can be seen with those sweet smiles!
Ah yes they had a great time! xx
Such a nice place to visit and I am sure kids are having a great adventure aside from that they are learning from it.
It’s a fun day out for everyone! xx
Oh wow. I would love to see the Circus as I’ve never seen one. It looks so fun and amazing!
Oh the circus is amazing! You must go! xx
I’m loving all these photos. It looks like so much fun. I know my girls would have a ton of fun there.
Thank you! xx
Such a nice place to visit and to explore. I am sure my kids will definitely having so much fun in this place.
It’s a great day out! xx
I love the family time! I am like you, I do not enjoy a high place looking down! I manage it, but it is not my favorite!
I did it for the kids but ugh, not fun for me that part! xx
Oh wow. On the bright side – there were so many other things to do when the mini golf didn’t work out. That view is spectacular!
I didnt see a lot clinging to my pillar, haha! I really don’t do heights, and it sways! xx
Blackpool Tower looks great. This is the first time I am hearing about the place. Would love to visit with the family one day.
Oh you should! It’s a fun day out! xx
Wow, it looks like the kids really enjoyed themselves! I would love to see that jungle gym in person.
Its great Sara, I was desperate to go in but no adults allowed! xx
This looks like an amazing trip! I’ve never been to this place before! My kids would probably enjoy it!
My kids had such a great day! xx
This looks like such a fantastic day, so much to do and see all in one place! My kids would love the circus
Oh me too! It’s good for all ages! xx
You can’t beat Blackpool for a good day out, so much to do. We went on Friday and had a great day, myself and Lucas love being at the top of the tower
Ah fab! It’s a great day out! xx
That sounds like such a fun day out. I’d love to visit Blackpool one day. It always makes me think of Come Dancing. And I have to say I’d be holding that pillar myself. Me and heights are not grwat friends.
Yes! The ballroom is definitely worth a visit! xx
This looks like so much fun! I always loved going to mini golf locations.
It’s a great place for a day out! xx
wow, this place looks awesome. I did not know much about the fun activities there. looks like you and your family had a good time there. thank you for sharing your experiences and the photos 🙂
Thank you for reading! xx
Looks like a great place for a family vacation!
It’s a fab day out! xx
This is such a cool place! I had never heard of it before but it is totally being added to my travel list!
It’s worth a trip Trina! xx
Oh my gosh what an amazing day. I love the blackpool tower with mini golf and those gorgeous views.
It’s a fab day out! xx
The dinosaur mini golf is so cool! My son would love it. Probably the dinos more than the golf ?
Haha yep same as Harry! xx
We love Blackpool Tower and try to visit every year. My kids use to love Jungle Jims when they were smaller and we always loved to see the circus. Mooky and his brother are the reason we go back time and time again, they are so funny 🙂
Aren’t they just! It won’t be the same if they ever decide to leave! xx
It looks like you had a lovely time, im currently dog sitting while my sister and mum are in Blackpool!
Oh I hope they enjoyed it!! xx
Tell Ava I hate losing too! It looks like the perfect destination for families. There’s so much to see and do there. I could see how it would take days to take in all of the fun.
Haha I’m glad she’s not the only one! xx
WOW! You guys had an amazing time! I can tell from just the pictures as memories never lie! I hope your little ones remember all the efforts you went to to give them such a great childhood filled with lots of memories!
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Thank you Nazrin, it was a great day! xx
This looks like so much fun! I had no idea that this place was available with a circus and mini-golf! I’ve half a mind to hop a flight and go and visit. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hah well if you’re ever down this way! xx
Now that looks like a fantastic place to take kids!! I would love to take my nieces and nephews here one day!!
It’s a great day out Ricci! xx
Oh my word, the pictures of the kids looking through the binoculars are just adorable! What a fun place to go with the family!
Thank you Debra! xx
We’ve been to Blackpool quite a few times now because my sister lives up that way but we’ve never been to the tower. I will next time though because it looks great x
Oh you should! It’s a fab day out! xx
We love Blackpool and have been talking about going back next month as it’s been a while since our last trip. You’ve got me desperate to book now! It’s like a home away from home 🙂
Louise x
Ahh you should! It’s such a good day out isn’t it! xx
I’ve never been to Blackpool so haven’t been up the tower either. It looks like a lot of fun though and super child friendly. I love the look of the dinosaur themed mini golf!
It’s a fab day out and I love that it’s all under one roof! xx
I’ve actually never been to Blackpool before but it sounds like a really great day out. I would be with you staying back from the Skywalk though
It’s terrifying! 5cm to hold all that weight? No thanks! xx
Oh, I love the raincoats! These pictures were lovely and it seems like you had a great time, I’m glad! Thanks for sharing, I might have to add ‘Blackpool’ to my bucket-list.
It’s a great day out! xx
This has been on my list for a while now, although it’s a weekend trip for us. I’ve always wanted to see the illuminations. I had no idea about the circus it looks brilliant! Xx
Oh the circus is FAB Clare! You would love it, and it’s so historic too! xx
Been to Blackpool many times but never ventured up the tower as it always seems to be very windy when I go there and wind plus heights not my cuppa!!
yeah Blackpool is usually windy whenever we go too! xx