The Villa Hotel

The tang of salt air drifts inland from Blackpool's promenade, and here at The Villa the seaside energy hums just close enough to feel it without the crowds pressing in.

This is a good-value base for couples or small families drawn to the lights and rides but wanting somewhere quieter to return to at night — guest house rooms give you proper beds and warmth, while the camping pod offers a middle ground if you fancy sleeping outdoors without the tent faff. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so seaside walks along the sand are firmly on the cards. Blackpool means the Pleasure Beach, the Tower, fish and chips in paper, and donkey rides if nostalgia's your thing — but also miles of flat coastal paths and surprisingly wild stretches north toward Cleveleys.

Facilities aren't specified in detail, so it's worth ringing ahead to confirm what's onsite and whether campfires are allowed during your stay. The vibe feels straightforward and unpretentious — a place that knows what Blackpool visitors need and delivers it without fuss, open all year for winter illuminations fans and summer bucket-and-spade pilgrims alike.