What Lyd Did

My tickets to Madame Tussauds Blackpool were provided in exchange for honest review.

me stood with waxwork figures of Prince William in a suit, Kate Middleton in a shimmering pink maxi dress, and The Queen in a lime green suit

SETTING

It's no secret that we get more than our fair share of rain in the North West, so indoor attractions are always appreciated, and Madam Tussauds Blackpool is one that truly does offer something for all the family.

At £18 for adult tickets, Madame Tussauds isn't the cheapest attraction, but there are lots of deals around to lower the price. If you park on Blackpool Central car park, check the back for money off, or book online for reduced entry and discount bundles on other Merlin venues, like Sea Life Blackpool.

Another tip for booking is to opt for a weekday if you can to allow plenty of time and space to really make the most of your visit and take plenty of pictures.

THE CHARACTERS

Whether you want to rock out with iconic musicians, marvel at the superheroes, admire the athletes, or go behind the scenes with TV, comedy, and movie stars, Madame Tussauds offers areas for everyone, and there were actually more models than I had anticipated.

Some of my favourites included boxer Nicola Adams, Alan Carr, and Groot, but I found that even the people I wouldn't ordinarily be drawn to were made interesting by the facts or interaction around them, like lockers in the football room that showed the players' lucky charms, and a screen playing a film on astrology in Professor Brian Cox's room.

It was great to see a section on how the models are made, too, starting life as a wire frame and being built right up into a realistic person. Each wrinkle in the lips is handpainted, every individual hair placed on their heads. The wax figures are even treated to a regular refresh and hair wash to keep those details perfect.

THE MUSIC ROOM

This was my favourite part of all, as I think fellow visitors guessed when they heard me shout "Freddie!" upon spotting my idol, Mr Mercury. He shares a stage with Shirley Bassey and MJ, while Britney Spears and Tom Jones hang out with Sid Vicious on the other side of the room and The Beatles strolled across a recreation of Abbey Road.

After striking a few poses with my beloved, I hopped into the sound booths where you can pop on some soundproof headphones, select your favourite track from the era of that booth, and- if you're bold enough- have a boogie.

THE ROVERS RETURN

Being so close to Manchester, where Coronation Street is filmed, it's only fitting that Madame Tussauds has its very own recreation of the street's much loved pub. It's actually licenced and has its own bar staff too, so you can have a beer with Deirdre Barlow using special MT tokens!

MARVEL SUPERHEROES
Little ones and big kids at heart will love meeting the Marvel superheroes! Start your journey by registering your handprint in, then you're ready to join the team.

Take your chance to get close to Thor,
flex your muscles as you lift a taxi with The Hulk or take flight with Iron Man, who cleverly has a screen behind him showing moving footage, so it looks like you are lifting off together.

INTERACTION

When I visited Madame Tussauds London a few years ago, the only interaction I remember is actors jumping out and spooking me, so I expected the same from Blackpool, but I'm very pleased to say that there was no fright, just fun in all areas of the attraction.

Instead of just looking at the models, visitors are invited to get more physically involved, from hopping on Elliot's bike with ET, to scoring goals in the football room, to ducking and diving in the laser maze. I surprised my family and myself by coming top of the leaderboard- 414 is the score to beat!

ACCESSIBILITY

I was really pleased to see that disabled guests can fully enjoy Madame Tussauds, with lifts for access and plenty of room to navigate wheelchairs and powerchairs around. In the music exhibit where Olly Murs is onstage, there is even a ramp around the back so visitors can sit right beside him.

It was also nice to note that the mirror maze had a bypass so that children or sensory impaired guests could choose a calmer route if the mirrors would be stressful for them.

SOUVENIRS

As you explore the exhibits there are paid photo opportunities that use props and/or the magic of green screen to create souvenir pictures of your visit- for example, you can try on Tom Baker's classic stripy Doctor Who scarf and see yourself with Sonic Screwdriver in hand.

For more mementos, the gift shop has everything you could imagine, and you can even make your own wax hand as the perfect reminder of your day.

OVERALL

Madame Tussauds Blackpool exceeded my expectations. We were there for a good hour and a half and both myself and my parents really enjoyed our visit, proving that it suits almost all ages. I probably wouldn't advise it for very young children who wouldn't really 'get' it or could find the models alarming, but primary school children and up will have a blast meeting their favourite superheroes and spotting celebs.

There are so many touches that help to bring it to life (in the least creepy way possible!) and more than once I did find myself expecting a wax figure to move or wink due to the level of skill and detail that goes into every face. Come rain or shine. I'd definitely recommend visiting them for yourself.

Have you been to a Madame Tussauds before?

Horwich, a tiny town just outside of Bolton, is home to lots of charity shops, beauty salons, and cafes, with Chill at The Cowshed being the most beautiful of the latter in my opinion. Shabby chic Cath Kidston-esque decor meets sleek beachy vibes to make a really lovely spot for lunching and chatting.

My mum had kindly gifted me a voucher for their afternoon tea for my birthday, so I booked in to celebrate my new job in style. Straight away I was impressed with the customer service on the phone- the lady was so polite and advised me the best time to visit for a calm afternoon where we wouldn't feel rushed.

a 3 tiered stand with sandwiches and crisps, scones and meringues, and carrot cake buns and mini jars of trifle

Arriving at Chill At The Cowshed, my boyfriend and I were shown to a table for four, which I always prefer to being squashed on a table for two. Our drinks order was taken quickly, and our afternoon tea had been prepared for our booking, so that followed shortly after.

We chose a pot of Yorkshire Tea out of the options of that, PG Tips, or americano coffees, although I do wish that cold drinks were available instead, like the pink lemonade I enjoyed at Dearden Tearooms. The mini strawberry milkshakes that came alongside the afternoon tea did make up for it a little.

When the afternoon tea arrived, it had been laid out beautifully, and both the stand, teapot, and teacups fitted in with the decor really nicely.

an old fashioned floral teacup, cups, and saucers, and two small glass milk bottles filled with pink milkshake and sauce

The sandwich layer did not float my boat. We were given cucumber and cream cheese, plain ham, plain chicken,and egg mayonnaise, and I just found the meat slices to have lumps of fat, especially the chicken one which was a processed slice rather than pieces of roast chicken, so I should have chosen the vegetarian option I was offered on booking.

Surprisingly, the scone tier was my favourite. Ordinarily I'm not keen on scones, especially fruited ones, but The Cowshed got them spot on.

Already generously sandwiched with jam, cream, and strawberries, we had no choice but to eat them like burgers rather than in halves. The scones themselves were soft and tasted really fresh, with plenty of plump raisins throughout, and the juicy strawberries on them were a really nice addition.

scones filled with strawberries and cream on a red poppy print plate beside a pale pink meringue

Alongside the scones were almond meringues sandwiched with chocolate ganache. Personally I prefer a chewy macaron with buttercream or fruit in the centre, but my boyfriend favoured the crisp meringue. They were just the right size for after the scone and before the top tier.

The top tier held a tiny jar of trifle, which was nice to see. I always appreciate something novel, and the cold jelly studded with pineapple pieces was nicely refreshing after the scones, though after all the cream in the scones I didn't need custard and cream on the trifle, too.

Carrot cake buns were also on the top tier, complete with lots of buttercream and little sugar carrots. Really I should have taken mine home as I was already stuffed, but I soldiered on and found the cake to be nice and moist with a good spice.

Overall, not the most glowing review! Perhaps I've been spoilt by the likes of The Garden Kitchen's afternoon picnic with its variety of mini dishes served on a bench, but I wouldn't go back the the Cowshed for afternoon tea.

I would, however, call in for lunch, cream tea, cake, or ice cream at their onsite parlour- providing I'm not barred if they see my review! I looked over the menu while we waited and spotted quite a few dishes I'd like to try, and the decor and atmosphere are definitely worth a second chance.

Have you got a favourite spot for afternoon tea?

a 3 tiered afternoon tea stand with sandwiches, scones, and sweets, and a cup of tea in a vintage floral cup

My family will tell you that I'm something of a Haribo fiend, hoovering up every new release I can find, and harbouring a not-so-secret love for Tangfastics, so when I learned that the Haribo vegetarian line was growing and I could enjoy my fruity sweet treats with a clear conscience, I almost jumped for joy!

The items in this post were sent to me for honest review.

a mixture of Haribo vegetarian sweets in a small glass jar with a green ribbon around it, and pink shredded paper around it. To the left of the jar is a pack of strawberry sweets, rainbow strips on the right, and jelly beans in front.

a close up shot of a glass jar filled with strawberry spaghetti, jelly beans, and strawberry shaped sweets

In the range we have Spaghetti Zing, Rainbow Strips, Jelly Beans, Funny Mix, Giant Strawbs, and Giant Strawbs Gone Mini that are in treat size bags, perfect for your little ones. All of the line is gelatine-free so suitable for vegetarian and Halal diets alike, but be aware that most contain beeswax so are not vegan friendly.

All the packets are labelled as vegetarian to make them easy to grab when you're shopping, and in the case of the non-vegan ones, the beeswax is clear in the ingredients rather than being listed as an E number. The Haribo Rainbow Strips and Spaghetti are vegan friendly.

bags of strawberry sweets and jelly beans sat in a small pink metal bucket, with a yellow bag of rainbow strip sweets beside it

While we're discussing ingredients, let me tell you that the Funny Mix has been revamped to include real fruit juice, and it shows. The mix is made of ice cream cones, strawberries, and my favourite, the cola bottles. They have such a vibrant, tangy flavour that's just like drinking a Coke with plenty of lemon.

My second favourite was the Haribo Spaghetti Zing. I'm a sucker for sour sweets, and both the coating and spaghetti itself were tart. I could happily eat a whole bowl of this!

I also really enjoyed the jellybeans, which had peach, marshmallow, raspberry, blackcurrant, popcorn, and candyfloss flavours under a sweet sugar shell. I couldn't tell a huge difference between flavours, with them all tasting like raspberry ripple ice cream to me, but the texture was spot on.

Unfortunately the texture for the Strawbs and Funny Mix wasn't great. While Candy Kittens have managed to recreate the classic chewy texture of gelatine sweets, the Haribo vegetarian range is much softer and tends to get stuck in the teeth, which is the only downside to these treats for me.

Haribo gelatine-free sweets can be found in supermarkets now. Which pack will you pick?

Home of William Wordsworth, the chocolate box village of Grasmere is still hugely popular with tourists today, and it's easy to see why. It's quaint, picturesque, and has a host of local hotspots to explore and enjoy. I've listed my top five, but the village also has independent art and craft shops, a bookshop, and tonnes of tearooms and eateries to enjoy.

Whether you make a dedicated trip, or visit on your way to Keswick or Ambleside, Grasmere truly is a gem of the English Lakes that mustn't be missed.

Allan Bank

One of my absolute favourite National Trust places, Allan Bank is the best place to make the most of the beautiful views. On a sunny day there's nothing better than enjoying tea and biscuits in the garden, but whatever the weather you are invited to curl up with a book, get creative in their dedicated craft room, or join in scheduled art activities.

The Storyteller's Garden

Taffy Thomas MBE may just have the best job in the world. From the garden across the road from Sarah Nelson's, he tells tales to any children lucky enough to listen. The garden is closed in January, February, and March, but from Easter onwards you can find seasonal family events being held.

Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread

Completely different to the Christmas treat, Sarah started cooking up this spicy treat way back in 1854 and the tiny cottage-turned-shop still has plenty of people queuing up to enjoy their rum butter, mint cake, and classic gingerbread. A chewy base with a crumbly top, it's definitely a local delicacy you have to try for yourself.

Wordsworth's Daffodil Garden

You can find the Wordsworth family graves in a plot in the graveyard, but personally I find the Daffodil Garden a much cheerier way to celebrate the poet and, in early Spring, see the flowers he loved so much while reading lines of his work that are carved into the paving of the garden. It's a really beautiful, peaceful little place.

Dove Cottage and The Wordsworth Museum

Take a trip back in time as you visit Wordsworth's own cottage, and see the rooms where he wrote his famous poetry and his sister Dorothy penned her Grasmere journal.

I've been a member of the National Trust for 5 years now (I've got the car stickers to prove it) and the memberships pay themselves off pretty quickly. They cover parking and entry fees to Trust locations, so in just a few visits I find myself actually saving money, but if you really want your membership card to work hard, follow my tips for making the most of it.

a valley between two hills in the lake district, with 'how to make the most of your National Trust membership' written over the photo in black text

Visit paths and woodlands as well as properties

The National Trust is synonymous with manicured gardens and historic stately homes, but they also own, manage, and protect natural landscapes like Brimham Rocks, Cuckmere Valley, and Tarn Hows, where you can explore the best of our beautiful British countryside.

By having a National Trust membership, you're helping to fund the conservation of these sites, so make the most of them by taking along a picnic and spending time spotting the British plants and wildlife.

Plan trips with National Trust places in mind

As the name suggests, National Trust properties are widespread, so to tick lots off your list it's a good idea to stay a night or two in a location close to a few of them.

When I stayed in The Lakes I knew Fell Foot and Wray Castle were close, and since I had my membership card they were a great, inexpensive way to spend a few hours, and I'd like to plan a break to Llandudno to enjoy another trip to Erdigg and Bodnnant Garden.

Go along to organised events and activities

Bat watching, craft workshops, even yoga and mindfulness, there's always something happening at National Trust properties that will leave you with new memories, souvenirs, or more knowledge about your favourite places.

Allan Bank in Grasmere is an especially good property to enjoy these activities, with a dedicated craft room for you to create at your own pace alongside planned workshops where you can try your hand at felting, embroidery, and more.

Visit in every season

Nature paints the landscape with new colours and textures every season, so where better to enjoy them than National Trust properties, woods, and gardens? One of my favourite places for this is Dunham Massey, Cheshire.

In Spring and Summer I love seeing both the wildflowers and the beautiful gardens, in early Autumn the deer are out in droves, and the whole place is perfectly picturesque under a blanket of Winter snow- plus it's a great excuse to warm up with treats in the restaurant.

Which National Trust property is your favourite?

Like many people, the sight of sunshine has me reaching for the fake tan. I'm a huge advocate for getting my colour from a bottle, as your skin is actually damaged as soon as your skin changes colour from the sun, whether it's brown or red, so it's always best to protect your skin from those harmful UV rays and fake your tan instead. You won't get awkward strap marks that way either!

Preparing to tan

The first step in my tanning routine is to thoroughly exfoliate, especially areas like my ankles, elbows, and knees, which are usually drier. By far my favourite method of exfoliation is a pair of scrubby loofah gloves, I find them to be really thorough. If you find that the tops of your arms get that lovely pimply feeling, these will be your best friends!

Next I moisturise, adding either an extra layer or a thicker one to the aforementioned scaly bits. Once that has fully soaked in (and I mean fully- don't go jumping the gun and getting patchy now) I proceed with my tan. The formula I use depends on the look I'm after and how much time I have. I do prefer to use tans that sink into the skin and develop rather than instant tans that can transfer onto your clothes or sofa, or sweat off during their wear.

a pair of pink sunglasses, a purple fake tanning mitt, and a bronze tube of gradual tan on a white background

Choosing a fake tan
This section contains gifted items*

If I want a darker colour I grab my trusty St Moriz medium mousse. I've used this stuff for years now because I like that the mousse is dark to give you a guide colour, it has a green pigment in it to give you a nice olive undertone, it soaks in pretty fast, and it's super cheap, too. I just shake it up, pump a big old handful onto a tanning mitt, and apply it in strokes rather than rubbing it in. Then I stand with my arms held out while it dries, and hop into bed to let it develop.

In the morning I wake up looking like a ~~bronze goddess~~ mahogany wardrobe, and on more than one occasion my mum has greeted me with "what on Earth have you done to yourself?!". Charming. However, this is just the top layer of tan, and after hopping in the shower it will wash away, leaving a lighter, even colour on your skin, which you can build up by applying another coat in the evening.

My preferred method is a gradual tan. I do find that there is more risk of streaking since they take longer to soak in and don't have a guide colour, but the moisturising base nourishes my skin to add to the healthy glow, and the tan wears off in a nicer way.

I still follow the exfoliate and moisturise steps, but then rub the tan in with my hands rather than using a mitt, and make sure to wash them well straight after. At the moment I'm using the Sunkissed natural gradual tan* which is 95% natural, cruelty free, and smells like a salted caramel coconut dream. Even with the fragrance and rich moisturiser, it hasn't broken me out on my face, which is always a worry when I try new formulas!

I was sent the light-medium shade which is very subtle, so I'd recommend it to my super pale pals or tanning newbies, but they also offer a medium-dark option if you'd prefer a deeper colour.

After tanning

If I have made a mistake and ended up with patches, or worse, the dreaded Tan Hands, I reach for a good old tube of Colgate. It sounds strange, but toothpaste works a treat to scrub away excess tan!

Whichever formula I choose, I usually shave the day after applying it. Many people recommend people shaving between exfoliating and moisturising so you take off any tan as you shave, but my leg hair grows like bamboo so I'd rather take that risk and have smooth legs on the day I'm showing them off.

When I do go out with my new golden skin on show, I make sure to add a layer of SPF, firstly because skin needs sun protection whatever its colour, and secondly because I don't want to get a natural tan and be all different shades at once. My absolute favourite one is Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration, which soaks in fast and feels like any other moisturiser, so there's no excuse to skip this step.

Are there any fake tan tricks I have missed?

ABOUT LYD

FIND LYD

POPULAR POSTS

Categories