I was dog sitting for my daughter in Preston when I realised I was only 20 miles away from Blackpool. It was warm and sunny so I decided I’d drive down there and cycle the promenade for a bit of exercise and a change of scenery.
When I saw all the fast food establishments I remembered seeing a YouTube video of a guy sampling the delights of a famous £1 burger and being very surprised by how tasty it was. A quick Google and I found out where it was. It’s not an obvious find as it’s a couple of streets back from the sea-front.
I then thought if this is the cheapest burger in Blackpool, I wonder where the cheapest pint is? I soon found out it was on the same street or at least the back entrance was. So with a cunning plan in mind I set off to sample the delights of Blackpool’s Budget Beer & Burger.
The burger was surprisingly okay. Not the best I’ve ever had but what I’d call a typical fairground burger, packed full of onions and tomato sauce. For a mere one pound it was incredible. The guy who ran it was a very pleasant and friendly person. His personality drives the success and appeal of the establishment.
I then moved on to the back entrance of the Ardwick, rolled my bike inside and ordered my pint for a mere £1.60. I had to drink it outside as they wouldn’t allow bikes inside. But the staff were lovely and the place was jam packed and this was only 11.45am on a Monday morning! It reminded me of pubs of old. Buzzing and busy.
It was a really refreshing pint, but I stopped at one as my accident proneness would be greatly enhanced if I were to ride my bike on two or more pints!
Refreshed I cycled up and down the prom. Blackpool is a photographer’s dream. I concentrated on the positives. There’s a lot of run down and derelict buildings but I didn’t want to add to Blackpool’s woes by illustrating them here.
Selection of photographs from my cycle ride – red theme
Selection of photographs from my cycle ride – blue theme
…and some I thought worked well in black and white
I loved my day here. Blackpool is honest, friendly and working class. A nod to British life before the cheap aeroplane took families to warmer climes for their annual hols. It’s a town in a bit of a crisis, at a crossroads, unsure how to respond. I hope it finds a solution soon because I love the place.
The burger bar and the back entrance to the pub can both be found on Dales Street which is roughly opposite the Central Pier, 2 streets from the sea front.
Here are links to the establishments should you wish to know more.
£1.00 burger
£1.60 pint their Facebook page says it’s £1.80 but I only paid £1.60!
