BLACKPOOL.

The word alone is enough to conjure up images of brassy, loud, down-to-earth fun.

This was my chance to find out whether the modern day incarnation of the Lancashire seaside resort, which has been a favourite for decades, lives up to its reputation.

Rain is inevitable if I want to go away for the weekend but if anywhere is set up for indoor entertainment it’s Blackpool.

We were staying at The Cliffs, a lovely family hotel right on the front, which was ready to keep the whole family entertained whatever the weather.

With an indoor swimming pool, bars, kids club and games room there is enough to keep you occupied.

Set in an elegant early 20th Century building with grand sweeping staircases this made a great base for our trip and we were very well fed with buffet breakfasts and delicious evening meals.

The first morning of our trip saw glorious sunshine and a day packed with activities.

On the list of things you have to do in Blackpool taking a tram ride has to be there. The Cliffs is a short hop from the attractions so a tram trip is always fun for youngsters. We found the staff on the trams to be very friendly and helpful.

Top of the list though (after you’ve built a sandcastle — obvs) is a visit to Blackpool Tower.

The Tower is more than just the northern Tour Eiffel these days though.

With a multi-attraction ticket, available from the Tower, you can enjoy a whole weekend (at least) of family fun. From Madame Tussauds to The Tower Dungeon to the Sea Life Centre this ticket gives you access to pretty much everything you may want to do.

Before you get to the top of the Tower there is a ‘4D’ cinema experience which is exciting, polished and spectacular. When you are lucky with the weather, as we were, the views from the top can be equally spectacular.

We also popped in to the Tower Ballroom — on the insistence of my Strictly-loving family — a part of the visit I expected to be completely underwhelmed by.

I was wrong.

The room itself is a tremendous example of ornate classical design and the sight of groups of (mostly elderly) couples moving effortlessly across the floor in time to the flawless organ music was strangely moving.

The undoubted highlight of our trip though was Blackpool Tower Circus.

For an attraction that has been operating for more than 100 years you would expect a professional show but this exceeded our expectations. Death-defying stunts and hilarious old-school comedy make this a must-see if you are in town.

We didn’t get the chance to visit the Dungeon or Sea Life Blackpool so those will have to be ticked off on our next visit.

Before heading home we stopped in at Blackpool Zoo.

From the children’s zoo to the sealion show and the dinosaur adventure this is a great family day out if you want to take it reasonable slowly.

You can have just as much fun with a half-day visit checking out the highlights and it will still feel worth the entrance fee.

So is Blackpool’s reputation for brassy, loud, down-to-earth fun deserved?

Well, yes, it probably is.

But would we have it any other way?