New Bond Hotel

The salt tang of the Irish Sea catches you before you've even unpacked, and the Blackpool Tower's silhouette marks the skyline like an old friend waving you in.

This is a guest house stay rather than canvas-under-stars camping, though there are camping pods for those wanting a middle ground between B&B comfort and sleeping outdoors. It suits couples after a seaside weekend, families doing the Pleasure Beach without the tent pegs, or anyone combining a Blackpool break with a bit of fresh air. Dogs may be welcome — worth asking when you book. Year-round opening means winter illuminations or summer beach days are both on the cards.

Expect indoor beds and a roof over your head rather than classic pitches, though the pods give you that hint of outdoor sleeping if that's your preference. Campfires are a check-on-arrival situation, likely more relevant to pod guests. The vibe here is Blackpool accessible — traditional seaside town energy, trams rattling past, candyfloss and arcades within easy reach, but you've got a proper base to come back to when the prom gets too much.