Is the grass greener on the other side? Is the see bluer? Is the West better than East? We went to Blackpool to find out the answer.

Just in case, I remind you that we are based in Saltburn, a tiny resort town on the East coast of England. No doubt, there is no competition between such a hidden gem as Saltburn and worldwide famous resort as Blackpool, but we were simply curious to look what such a famous English sea resort looks like.

Hard to believe, but the first city in the world where the electricity was used to the municipal illumination was Blackpool itself. That is one of the reasons why there is so much entertainment connected with lights in the town, and you can’t help noticing it the moment you enter the town. By the way, it is also one of the rare towns that kept its original tram-line on its place without turning it into an enormous avenue.

It would be impolite to compare it to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but it does attract the attention, so no wonder it became a symbol of the place. But this tower is much more than just an overview point. In the same complex are located circus and ballroom, which during the past years has been hosting the most famous ballroom dance championship in the world and other dancing events. Actually this is the reason why we went to Blackpool at the first place. Dance! (yes, it’s not only blogging and cycling that occupies our minds :)

For those who love adrenaline, Blackpool has a huge amusement park, with one of the biggest “Russian hills” in the world. We didn’t dare. At least not this time.

Why? Just because. Not always did the Brits spend their holidays in Spain, and before the globalization, everyone had to enjoy the local sceneries. Thus, the favorite spot for holidays was Blackpool. Unfortunately, according to what we’ve seen, it doesn’t deceive its title. In total dissonance to the culture part, Blackpool looks like a resort for so-called working class. Cheap entertainments, shops selling trash, overcrowded streets, queuing in H&M and Primark.

Creepy b&bs, tasteless shows advertisements and “Turkish hot towel barbershop” on every other crossroad.

…the sea is gorgeous everywhere. East coast, west coast… Doesn’t really matter. All in all, it was an awesome trip and its peculiar charm. Wonderful weekend.

Don’t hesitate to see the villages around – unlike Backpool, they look like real aristocratic resorts for bourgeois. Lytham Saint Annes is one of them, for example.