Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, Lancashire.
Cost – £20.00 (September 2023). This was a group price, and included admission to the ballroom for the day (10-4.30).
Parking and Access – I’m afraid I did not experience parking for the venue, as we were part of a group of twenty, who had travelled to Blackpool by train. We arrived at the Tower Ballroom by tram from our hotel.
The Blackpool Tower website says that there is a car park a bit further down the road.
There are steps to access the Tower building. However, there is a ramp available over some of the steps. There are lifts available inside the building, as the ballroom is situated on the third floor. Once in the ballroom, access was possible on the level, to all areas.
An accessible toilet was available inside the ballroom, with level access from the room. It can be found to the side of the stage.
Background –We have been attempting to learn ballroom, Latin and sequence dancing for some years. It is a fun way to exercise, and we enjoy it greatly. We have made a lovely group of friends at our classes. When it was suggested that we should all go to Blackpool, to dance at the Tower Ballroom, we leapt at the chance!
In the end, there was a group of twenty of us going. We travelled by train, and stayed in a big hotel together. We managed to have two lovely sessions on two days in the ballroom, where we all danced our socks off! Our feet were totally worn out!
We also decided we should all experience the Afternoon Tea that is served every day in the ballroom. As we were such a large group, we were able to book at just £20 each, including a day’s dancing in the ballroom. The normal, individual price is £50 for two people, including entrance.
The only drawback to booking as a large group, was that we had to have our Afternoon Tea at midday. However, that actually proved to be an excellent time to have it, breaking up our dancing session nicely.
Contents per person – Four finger sandwiches (egg mayonnaise, cream cheese, tuna with cucumber and cream cheese). A medium sized fruit scone, a mini jar of strawberry jam and a mini jar of clotted cream. A mini chocolate eclair, a square of Victoria sponge, a mini raspberry cheesecake and a mini lemon tartlette. A pot of tea or coffee.
Options Available – There is also either a gluten free, milk free or vegan Afternoon Tea available, but at least five days notice is required.
Comments – First of all, I have to apologise for the poor quality of my photos. We were siting under the balcony, which made it a bit dark, and my phone was not really up to the job on this occasion! My new phone arrived a few days later!!
The tables were laid for four people each. Each setting had a plate, cup and saucer, and a teaspoon. There was also a paper napkin each, topped with a knife.
The tea arrived first, in a stainless-steel teapot for each table, plus a white milk jug. The waiters also came and asked if anyone wanted coffee instead. One of our table asked for coffee, the rest had tea.
The tea was a good strength, and was nice and hot. The teapot was replenished any time we wanted it to be. However, the coffee was described as bitter and grainy.
The Afternoon Tea itself was served on a three-tier cake stand with round white plates.
The sandwiches were made on a mix of brown and white bread. They were well filled and freshly made. The sandwiches were topped with a small amount of greenery.
The scones were a medium size and had not been warmed up. They were accompanied by mini Tiptree jars of strawberry jam and mini glass jars of clotted cream. There was enough of both the strawberry jam, and clotted cream.
However, the scones were rather doughy.
The cakes were all quite small, but were all tasty. The top of the éclair was quite sticky, as it was warm in the ballroom. Our favourites were the little cheesecake, and the lemon tartlette.
Service was good, we were visited and asked if we needed more tea, on several occasions by the staff. And there was always staff around to ask for anything we needed. We were not rushed, and were able to stay at our tables for the rest of the day.
I must just add a little bit about the Ballroom. What a lovely place!! And so iconic! The floor is just beautiful – patterned wood, and sprung for dancing. Though this did mean that people in the front seats found their tables bounced a bit as the dancers floated by!!
The music was all played live on an organ. This changed seamlessly between a fixed Roland organ on the stage, and the famous Wurlitzer, which rose up through the stage!
We had a fabulous time there. Enhanced by being with a lovely group of dancing friends. I can’t wait to go again!!
| Savoury | 1.5 |
| Scone | 1.0 |
| Jam | 1.5 |
| Cream | 1.5 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.5 |
| Cake (quality) | 1.5 |
| Tea | 1.5 |
| Presentation | 1.5 |
| Service | 1.5 |
| Value | 2.0 |
| Total | 15.0 |
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The photographs are all my own.
I remain completely anonymous and always pay for my Afternoon Teas. They are never gifted to me by the businesses reviewed.
I am the legal copyright holder of the content and images on this blog.
Sarnies Scones and Cakes 