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

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?

HAPPA, or the Horse and Pony Protection Association, to give it its proper title, is a farm out in the Burnley countryside that serves as a haven for horses and ponies from all kinds of awful backgrounds. It's a place where they're not overworked or unloved, but where they can live in warm, clean stables, eat plenty of fresh hay and apples, and be treated by vets and trainers who see their value and potential.

My mum has always been a horse lover, and with her birthday coming up I decided to surprise her with a visit and lunch at their Scullery café. As soon as we pulled into the car park, we were greeted with the sight of a horse and pony breaking into a run around the field, galloping with glee just as they should. As we stepped out of the car they ran up to snuffle our coats and say hello, which immediately told me how well the staff have worked to restore their trust in humans.

Our next stop was signing the visitors' book and chatting to the lovely receptionist who told us all about the farm's background and ethos. They have around 50 horses on site at any time, all of which have care plans which the dedicated staff carry out to bring the horses back to full health and show them that they are loved. The aim is then to find new homes, whether as riding horses or companions, so the horses are totally fulfilled and the farm can take in new residents. They never lose touch with their horses, following up their fostering or rehoming to ensure they are still receiving the best care.

After learning more, it was time for the best part- seeing more! For the next 40 minutes, we met each of the horses and ponies, aahing and awwing at them all. Of course I would never choose favourites, but some especially memorable residents include Tipsy the foal, the farm's newest resident, Sebastian the pony, who licked my coat and nuzzled into my side as I stroked his mane and told him (about 1000 times) what a beautiful boy he was, and Pascal. This black and white beauty was born on the farm, and after figuring us out for a few shy minutes, he warmed up and began pulling my dad's scarf and licking my hair! We were more than happy to indulge him, and all the horses, with cuddles and attention. They are so deserving of love after their harsh starts in life.

Along the way, we stopped a few members of staff to ask some quick questions, and despite having plenty of tasks to do they were so polite and kind, and happy to explain things to us. It was evident how much they adore the horses in the way they spoke to us and them, and the way the horses stuck their heads out as soon as they heard the girls approaching.

It was a chilly day when we visited, with cold gusts blowing through the valley, so we were all too happy to warm up in the Scullery café after meeting everyone. Honestly I had expected a few wooden tables in a country style kitchen, a place to grab a quick bite and an instant coffee, but the Scullery is definitely a well planned investment that offers excellent food in a stylish environment. The building is a gorgeous, modern, glass affair, offering views across the valley, with cosy tweed chairs or trendy industrial chairs and tables, and cute seats fashioned from old saddles for the kids.

I ordered a veggie platter, which came with the best houmous I've ever had, pitta bread, mozzarella dippers, salad, coleslaw, marinated courgettes, and the most delicious falafel. I believe they were fried, and the filling remained warm, moist, and tasty as I tucked in. Meanwhile my parents enjoyed a fresh burger and a pulled pork sandwich. I paid around £9 each which was great value considering the lovely location, and the huge, fresh portions. Our lunch was made even better by the server, Melissa, being so bubbly and polite, and we've already decided we have to go back for their special fish and chips on a Friday.

If you didn't know, I used to volunteer on a therapy farm, getting the horses ready for riders, and even then I wasn't a big fan of them, but I fell head over hooves for the wonderful horses and ponies at HAPPA, and feel so much respect for every worker who plays a part in rehabilitating them. My parents feel the same way, and we already can't wait to visit again in warmer weather, when we can see more ponies enjoying the pastures, and have a wander through the farm's wildflower trail ourselves. If you're an animal lover near Lancashire, I highly suggest you do the same.

There has been a lot of talk on the impact of fast fashion this year, and rightly so. Here in the blogosphere there is a certain pressure for fashion influencers to be wearing the latest trends and constantly 'gramming and hauling new clothes, but it's not good for the planet or their pockets. Clothes swaps are one way to overhaul your outfits while keeping your conscience clear, and Boohoo teamed up with Burnley Social last weekend to host one here in Lancashire. Although bloggers were invited along for coverage, other guests paid a small fee which went to Pendleside Hospice to support the wonderful work they do.

Walking into the room, I'm pretty sure I heard the hallelujah chorus in my head. There were racks and tables filled with tonnes of clothes, from sequinned party wear to pastel jumpsuits, all waiting to be rehomed after serving as samples at Boohoo HQ. Admittedly they're not somewhere I usually shop because I haven't found the quality of the materials to be great in the past and many of their clothes are too revealing for Nana Lyd, so it was really handy to be able to see and feel them for myself and even try some items on.

While I was browsing I met Abbey from Abbey Hearts and her lovely mum, and soon we were chatting outfit inspiration like we'd known each other for years. I guess fashion brings people together! Later I caught up with Tasmin, Lisa, and met a lovely blogger named Bec too, and we had a ball chatting, digging out interesting pieces, and styling outfits together. It made for a really chilled atmosphere that was 10x more fun that the typical shopping experience, and there were even hair and makeup artists invited along to complete the look.

After hours of talking and brunching I left with two bags full of goodies. Despite my reservations about Boohoo quality I found a summery white co-ord that looks and feels expensive, a dark red sequin skirt that just screams Christmas, some smart casual trousers, two dresses, and a lounge suit. I also went home with a treat and a cheeky tipple for my sister, thanks to Bella's Bakes whipping up personalised sparkly cupcakes and Batch Brew generously gifting bottles of their best gin.

Luckily many of the size 8-10 sample sizes at the Big Burnley Clothes Swap fit me, but girls who wore sizes above or below me didn't find as many items, so my tip if you are interested in clothes swapping is to get together with similar sized friends, or look into ones hosted in collaboration with brands that cater well to you. Another pearl of Lyd wisdom is to wear tights or leggings and a vest top, that way you can try on most things discreetly if there isn't a changing room. 

My last piece of advice is to give it a go! I hadn't considered a clothes swap before but my wardrobe has been refreshed, clothes have been rehomed, and I enjoyed every minute.

*I was invited to cover this event on my blog FOC, this does not affect my opinions or alter my transparency.

What would you like to swap from your wardrobe?

One of the best perks of blogging is getting opportunities to treat my loved ones, and last night I was lucky enough to do exactly that at Peter Jackson the Jeweller's Preston store. They carry ranges from a huge variety of brands including favourites like Links of London and even Gucci, and we were very kindly given Thomas Sabo bracelets and charms to personalise with their laser engraving system.

I chose my cousin's initials on one side and a star on the other because, well, she is a little star. She's won awards for her involvement with St John's Ambulance, and she's off to uni in January to start her journey to becoming a kickass critical care nurse. I really couldn't be prouder, and it's lovely to know that a simple, dainty charm can remind her of that.

That's what I love about jewellery. It can complete an outfit, but it also says a lot about the wearer and often carries great meaning for them. My everyday jewellery all signifies something, from the opal ring I was given for my 21st to my Freddie Mercury inspired bangle. Another thing that they have in common is that they are from smaller businesses, which I love to support. It just feels good knowing that buying an item which means a lot to me also means a lot to the sellers, rather than just being a drop in an ocean of profits. 

Very wrongly, I had assumed that Peter Jackson was one such huge corporation, and the name was just that, a brand title like Jack Wills or Miss Selfridge. He is, in fact, a very real and lovely person with an MBE for services to charity, and a huge passion for jewellery, which he displays through 4 stores in the North West: Preston, Bury, Blackburn, and Carlisle.

Alongside learning about Peter and his brand, we also got an insight into the diamonds on sale. Can you believe I'm 23 and I thought they came out of the ground in that classic diamond shape?! They actually come out in crooked lumps from mines which reach underground to around the length of the Eiffel tower. Once they're retrieved from the rock they are assessed by skilled workers who have passed their knowledge down through generations. They cut each facet of the diamonds by hand, and with 58 facets on a brilliant cut, that really does take patience and precision. Once the mine is empty, it's recovered to become a habitat again.

Diamonds are not rare, but high quality ones are, and they can be found in The Perfection Collection, which really is full of bobby dazzlers, as we like to say up here. More elusive still are coloured diamonds, which take their hues from minerals infiltrating them. Green diamonds are the rarest of all, so I felt very special trying on a ring worth £29,000, set with a stunning lime stone that glittered with every movement of the light.

If diamonds aren't your thing, there are plenty more pieces to tempt within the store. Call me basic, but I do love me some rose gold, with particular favourites being the Royal Clogau acorn and oak leaf pendant and the rose gold pearl collection, which put a modern twist on very classic pieces.

Whatever your style, Peter Jackson the Jeweller can cater to you by bringing big brands to their North West stores and website, where you can take 15% off almost anything you fancy using the code WLDID18.

Thankyou to Peter Jackson and his colleagues for hosting and kindly gifted the Thomas Sabo jewellery, Bite Club (great name!) for feeding us, and Jenny Higgins for snapping memories of the night.

Today's What's Up is a little different to the rest of the series, as it isn't a place I have visited often and know well, but from my single visit I can say it is a place that captured my imagination. It's a perfect example of what the North has to offer.

Saltaire is steeped in history, as it was built as a workers' village around the imposing Salts Mill. On the one hand, it was kind and generous of Titus, the owner, to ensure his workers had adequate housing, but on the other hand, it did mean they had no real break from work or their employer. It must have been hard back then, when the whole village was built for industry, but in modern day, I wouldn't mind living there at all!

Salts Mill is still very much the central focus. The building is beautiful but built to epic proportions. Part of it is used to house shops, with the ground floor displaying art and selling supplies, and the upper floors offer books, independently made crafts, jewellery, antiques, and designer homeware, alongside rooms with information on the mill's history. It's well worth a look around, and it's a brilliant way of breathing life into the space, but it was all a little too pretentious for me.

I'd urge you to wander through, enjoy the architecture from the outside, but save time to see what else Saltaire can offer. As the textile industry relied heavily on water, the mill was built beside the Leeds Liverpool canal, which is now home to a tour boat, the Are Jay Bargie diner boat, and a barge made from recycled matters- including washing machine doors and pieces of piano! A very friendly kitten jumped out from it as we passed, which is all the justification I need for a return trip.

On the other side of the canal is a park, playground, and cricket club. The park is beautifully kept, with a flat path for cyclists and runners, an ornate bandstand and seating areas, a little folly serving snacks, and even an alpaca statue! It's a really nice place for kids to let off steam after visiting the mill, and they'll love looking for animals on the sculpture trail.

On the other side of Salts Mill, the houses and shops stand in neat little rows. In the workers' time they would have looked drab and uniform, and I was really interested to see how the current owners have made each one unique. Bunting, a sea themed garden, a mosaic, and a rainbow of front doors did not disappoint. While modern touches have been brought to the village, it still maintains the perfect balance of old and new, and buildings like the hospital and Victoria Hall, where events are held, are still in perfect condition.

There aren't many shops, but among them is an interesting vintage shop, craft shops, and several eateries, including a pay as you please deli that uses food surplus from supermarkets, thus reducing food waste. I will definitely eat there next time, as I really admire their ethos, and the food looked delicious. We visited on a Saturday and there was a little farmers' market being held, which was another example of independent businesses thriving, continuing a theme I had noticed throughout our stay. 

Despite being a small village, our visit still lasted 4 hours, so it's definitely worthwhile travelling to. Otley is nearby, and we drove further on to Ilkley, a small town absolutely crammed full of beautiful old buildings and stylish shop fronts, where you could easily spend another couple of hours to make a full day out and enjoy the best of the Yorkshire history and countryside, along with a spot of retail therapy. 

Have you been to Saltaire?

If you're a regular around here, hopefully you've picked up on the fact that I love the outdoors, and exploring small towns in my region, but I still feel like I could be doing more to champion the North. We're known for cups of tea, Yorkshire puddings, farming, factories, and some of the best accents going. I'm making it my duty to see and share more of my part of the world; to tell you what's up. 

I'll start the series with the place I have known and loved the longest: Kendal, Cumbria. For a big chunk of my life, my parents owned a house in the town, with the dream of one day moving for good, so I feel like I was almost brought up here.

I have fond memories of buying mini bags of Butterkist popcorn and jelly monsters from the sweet stall on the outdoor market, of inspecting homemade mint jelly and local honey on the indoor. I remember spotting trout in the river, and crying when I ordered a teacake for breakfast in Bumble's tearoom. I had expected a sweet, marshmallow, Tunnock's teacake, not a bit of fruity bread!

Whilst the town is relatively small and quaint, it embraces modern changes and has some of the best shopping in The Lakes. It seems a bit naughty to talk about shops when Kendal is based in an area of breathtaking countryside, but it's handy to know that you can reward yourself with retail therapy after tackling a tough old trek. Clothes shops range from posh little boutiques to a big Topshop, and the streets are peppered with independent eateries and craft shops, so there's always something to fill your bag, tummy, and wardrobe.

If you do fancy broadening your horizons rather than narrowing your purse, head to Kendal Museum to see their famous dodo, take in a show at the Brewery Arts Centre, or drive a little out of town to Sizergh Castle and Sizergh Low Barn for woodland walks and farm shop treats. Drive twenty minutes over to Milnthorpe and you'll get to Beetham Nurseries, a garden centre with homewares, a restaurant, and a rather excellent selection of succulents. Nearby you'll find the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, a small but perfectly formed zoo with hands-on experiences and plenty of education- great for little ones, and rainy days!

Where to eat: 

- Pop into the Unitarian Chapel coffee mornings on a Saturday for maximum cuteness (and zero preaching)

- Visit Kendal's historic chocolate house

- BabaGanoush, and Relish, for hipster style deli eats
- when in Kendal, you must try Kendal mint cake! Available in grocery and corner shops.

What to do: 

- Potter down the cobbles of New Shambles to see a cute craft shop, beautiful bridal lounge, and the fanciest pen shop

- Walk along the river and see if you can spot a trout, or climb up to Kendal Castle
- Kendal Museum
- Watch performances and films at Brewery Arts Centre

- Sizergh Castle and Low Sizergh Barn

- Beetham Nurseries

- Lakeland Wildlife Oasis

Have you been to Kendal?

There are some things I'm good at (eating, sleeping...), some things I'm bad at (organisation, contouring...), and some things I am truly abysmal at, like independence. Luckily for me, I have a constant source of inspiration in the form of Tasmin and her blog, Grandiose Days.

At just 24, she has flown almost completely solo and moved into her own home. No parents, no boyfriend, no handouts, just Tasmin and her two delightful doggos. What a woman.

When she's not busy climbing the property ladder, Tasmin devotes her spare time to climbing walls, bouldering, wakeboarding, mixed martial arts, and any other activity that promises a huge hit of adrenaline along with a risk of broken bones. I haven't the guts to walk into a singing class alone, let alone stride into the gym and release my inner warrior!

Tasmin's strength is more than just physical, and I am incredibly honoured to call her my friend and to have her support. Her advice is always logical and practical, and her kindness knows no limits. I truly do believe that that same attitude pours through in her blog posts, and her inviting tone quickly makes every reader feel like they are catching up with a friend over a cuppa.

I love following her adventures, and find them so inspiring. Tasmin is literal proof that you can go somewhere alone, even travel the world, and live to tell the brilliant tale. I also love that her emphasis is definitely on appreciating life's experiences and events rather than the items. One of my biggest goals in life is to own the perfect house, and following Tasmin's progress really encouraged me to put more away for my future- both in terms of a cosy place to call home, and places further from my comfort zone. 

DIVE IN:

Buying My First House

Seeking your own nest is hugely exciting, but daunting, too! Let Tasmin guide you through with her handy advice.

My First Ever Solo Trip To Brussels

Whether you're looking for a travel guide for the Brussels area, or a sign to fly solo yourself, this post will deliver the goods.

Self Love For Valentine's Day

This post contains more girl power than a Spice Girls album, and is the best example of Tasmin's quiet confidence and inspiring self belief.

You can also find Tasmin on Twitter and YouTube!

It's fair to say than when I attended the Bloggers Blog Awards I felt more than a little out of my depth. I didn't have a blog then, so to be surrounded by people discussing SEO, the best props, and of course, those nominated for awards, was quite a shock. While I did eventually warm up a little, I mostly stuck to Bubbly Bex Beauty, and panic set in when I lost her at the bar.

Fortunately, the fates smiled on me and sent Sarah my way. This beautiful girl appeared like a magical tattooed fairy and struck up a conversation as though we had been friends for years. Ever since that chance meeting I have never seen her being anything other than welcoming and wonderful.

I have, however, seen her creating some wonderful, thought provoking pieces of artwork. Sarah recently graduated, and one of her final projects was based on human's impacts on wildlife, showing how plastic bags can choke turtles and litter endangers seabirds. Using a combination of watercolour and fine liner pens, she created seriously detailed pieces that spread her message perfectly, just like her blog, Scarlet State.

Following a vegan lifestyle means that Sarah's passion for animals and the environment flows into her writing, and she has the most amazing way of discussing these topics in a way that is inspiring and achievable, not at all scolding or out of reach. From finding cruelty free brands to recommending the best bamboo toothbrushes, Sarah shows how we can all make changes for the better, and it's easy to see how deeply she cares about what she writes. 

I also find that her blog is a place of happiness and confidence. It gives the impression that Sarah is a very balanced, well rounded person, comfortable in her skin and her place in the world. It's sadly rare to find that, and her tone makes for a refreshing and encouraging read. 

DIVE IN

Wild Swimming in Windermere

I remember the day that Sarah journeyed to The Lakes and shared snaps of her swimming her stresses away. She was so carefree and happy, I started to wonder if she was a secret mermaid. This post really reflects her free spirit and love for nature.

5 Things We Need To Stop Buying

Who knew that switching your plastic straw for metal or glass could save a sea turtle? After reading this post I vowed never to buy them again, and ran straight out to buy a reusable water bottle. Not only did Sarah give me some immediate ideas, but she planted the inspiration to constantly look for changes I can easily make.

Celebrating 21 Years In My Body

We are all guilty of scrutinising that stretchmark rather than celebrating the growth it commemorates, and this is where Sarah's wisdom and self ease shines. This post, thanking her body, is one I would recommend to absolutely everyone.

LINKS

Twitter: SarahJDocker

Instragram: SarahJDocker

Commissions: Sarah Jane Docker Illustration

I love being a member of the National Trust. It makes me feel smug and swotty, as though it's up there with being fluent in 3 languages and a grade 6 on the cello. However, some of the properties have the same stuffy, formal feeling that a grade 6 cellist might. Not Allan Bank!

Peeping over the picturesque village of Grasmere, in The Lake District, Allan Bank is both wowing and welcoming. Just stepping into the entrance, you are met with a piano which (careful) visitors are invited to play, while staff encourage you to browse at leisure, and gently remind you of their whereabouts should you have any questions.

Looking around, it's hard not to notice that the grand staircase is rather different to the standard National Trust fare. Instead of artisan wallpaper and thick carpets, Allan Bank have kept the shabby chic look that came with the aftermath of a fire many years ago. Instead of being ominous, it's actually more beautiful to see it still standing strong.