In the line outside there were big 2m markers, hand sanitiser available in every doorway for easy access, and reminders in the gift shop to only touch items you were likely to buy, but inside it was super difficult to social distance because the tanks just aren't laid out that way, and understandably children get excited to rush from room to room, so parents follow them.

It would definitely be helpful to have some reminders on the floor, and if you are particularly wary I'd recommend heading there on a weekday when it's likely to be quieter. 

SEA LIFE Blackpool is home to a huge array of animals, from lobsters, to rays, and even a very bizarre guitar shark. The exhibits are built so you can get as close as possible to really appreciate the beauty of each animal, with an underwater tunnel, lighting to enhance the colours and shimmer of the scales, and an immersive rainforest experience.

Something I really enjoyed about this visit was the information dotted around about SEA LIFE's conservation efforts, such as their coral breeding programme, and their amazing sanctuary for Little Grey and Little White, the beluga whales that hit the news earlier this year after they were released from an entertainment park in Shanghai. With donations from Merlin Entertainment, who own SEA LIFE and other attractions, the whales now have a perfect home in Klettsvik Bay, Iceland.

Obviously I'm no expert but I didn't feel that that care and attention translated to some of the animals within the attraction. My friends summed it up when she said 'there is education about not putting plastic in the sea, but there is plastic in all the tanks' about the numerous fake plants. She also pointed out that some tanks didn't have details about the fish inside, so it felt like they were more for decoration and didn't matter as much as the bigger animals. A lot of the tanks also seemed very small or overcrowded.

For that reason I wouldn't visit SEA LIFE myself again while it is run like this. It's a nice rainy day activity in Blackpool for children, to get them interested in the oceans and the animals within, but personally I would choose another of Blackpool's Merlin entertainments like Madame Tussaud's or The Blackpool Tower Dungeon.

 Blackpool Tower Dungeon is the perfect way to celebrate this Halloween in safe but spooky style. With social distancing and masks enforced, you can enjoy every every bump, rattle, and scream knowing that that your family are safe... well, as safe as they can be in The Dungeon. 

Part of the Merlin group, tickets start at £14, or you can save when buying a bundle pass for Merlin's other attractions like SEA LIFE or Madame Tussaud's

All of the creatures wore masks that fit with their characters and they were still easy to hear, especially because you tour in small groups so there wasn't a lot of background noise. I imagine that this would be good if you are hard of hearing, but you might struggle if you usually lip read.

There was hand sanitiser at regular intervals and the creatures reminded us to use it without breaking character, for example, Judge Blackheart said "now cleanse yourselves of your sins with the sanitiser, you filthy lot". I really appreciated that safety and hygiene were included in the show but still in a fun way.

Apart from the slight changes to make sure that the plague is the only disease lurking in The Dungeon, the rest of the show is exactly what you would expect: lots of jumps, shrieks, and laughs. You are never in real danger, and the creatures won't touch you, but they have absolutely nailed the art of suspense and mind tricks to make you feel comfortably, well, uncomfortable. 

The creatures will leave awkward pauses, staring at you until you have to giggle, or single you out to answer questions. Lights go down and creatures appear, and even the chairs themselves will have you on the edge of your seat, as you feel leeches crawling over you in the plague doctor's office, and the Captain poking at your ribs in the smuggler's cave. 

The newest creature to join the cast is Meg the witch. You've entered into her cottage, and now her spirit wants to reap revenge. When the room goes black, the pots and pans rattle wildly, and the windows fly open and closed. Meg moves around the room, leaving you wondering who she will choose as her next victim. I was shaking like a leaf for this bit, and I'm sure my fellow victims were more scared by my yelps than anything they saw down in The Dungeon! 

Finally, you think you will escape, but there is one last surprise in store: the Drop Dead Ride. Take your seat and feel the butterflies in your tummy as you are cranked up higher....higher....higher.... then dropped from a deadly height! Even as someone who hates rollercoasters, this is always a highlight of the visit. Once you get your breath back, it's impossible not to laugh.

With trick or treating on the backburner this year, the whole family can still have a safe and happy Halloween when you dare to visit Blackpool Tower Dungeon.