Hotel Babylon

The smell of salt and vinegar drifts up from the Prom, and somewhere a tram bell clangs — Blackpool wakes you gently here, even when the town's in full swing.

Hotel Babylon offers something a bit different: camping pods alongside traditional guest house rooms, so groups can mix canvas and comfort without splitting up. It's a rare setup for Blackpool, handy if some of you fancy a proper bed while others want that camping feel. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, and the year-round opening means you can do the Illuminations in autumn or grab a windswept winter weekend when the seafront's all yours. The Four Seasons Fishery sits just over three kilometres away if anyone's keen to wet a line between pier walks.

Campfire policy needs checking when you arrive, but the real draw is location — you're in Blackpool, so the Pleasure Beach, the Tower, and miles of sandy beach are all close. It's a practical base with a quirky edge, not your usual resort digs, suited to families or friends who can't agree whether they're camping or not.