We’re sitting in a giant slipper, racing through a series of wacky contraptions at Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s latest attraction.

As Wallace would say, “It’s a cracking ride, Gromit.”

Wallace and Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic takes a trip through the duo’s adventures, with up to four riders stepping inside Wallace’s slippers for a roller-coaster ride to remember.

Hurtling through some of the pair’s best-known scrapes, from the pottery scene in Curse Of The Were-Rabbit to the railway chase in The Wrong Trousers, was great fun. I wanted to go again straight away!

Blackpool holds a place in my heart. I loved it as a child and still get excited at the sight of Blackpool Tower in the distance, when travelling to the Lancashire resort.

I spent a weekend there with my sister and nephews, Sam, 12, and Jack, ten, and using the Blackpool Resort Pass, we visited several family attractions over our two-day trip.

Marketing Blackpool has teamed up with nine Blackpool attractions to create the new ticket, valid for one visit to each place over a seven-day period. The Resort Pass includes access to the Pleasure Beach, Nickelodeon Land, the Blackpool Tower Eye and 4D Experience, Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Sea Life, Madame Tussauds, Blackpool Zoo, Sandcastle Waterpark and Blackpool Model Village and Gardens.

With Sam and Jack eager to hit the Pleasure Beach, we headed there first. Attracting holiday-makers since the early 20th century, the Pleasure Beach retains its historic charm, while offering plenty for today’s thrill-seekers. Big rides include Infusion, a whirlwind water experience, and Ice Blast, catapulting brave souls vertically up a 210ft tower at 80mph before a free-fall descent. We headed for the Big One, one of Europe’s tallest, fastest rollercoasters sending us plunging down a 235ft drop and racing along a mile of twisting track. Exhilarating!

Next came the Avalanche, an adrenaline-fuelled bobsleigh ride; the Big Dipper, a Pleasure Beach favourite for generations; and the Grand National, one of the world’s only twin track rollercoasters. Riding steeds on the Derby Racer, a huge carousel, we galloped along to the classic seaside sound of a giant Verbeeck organ. We circled the air in rockets, span around in giant teacups and, in Nickelodeon Land, took a lightning speed ride on the Streak rollercoaster.

After a fun-packed day, it was back to the Big Blue Hotel to freshen up. Located within the Pleasure Beach, it’s a haven of relaxed style and contemporary chic where guests receive a complimentary Pleasure Beach pass.

We stayed in a Deluxe Family Room which the boys were thrilled to discover overlooked the Pleasure Beach, with the Big Dipper and Big One whizzing past our window.

Their funky bunk-beds had in-built TVs with connections for a PlayStation console, and the main bedroom had a sofa and TV with DVD player.

We caught a tram, using three-day passes, to North Pier and enjoyed tapas at the Beach House, the only establishment to offer dining west of the tram tracks, overlooking the beach. The view was stunning, as the sun set into the Irish Sea.

We were impressed with the elegant promenade, part of Blackpool’s multi-million pound regeneration. Dramatic curves with a sweeping sea wall and Spanish-style steps link the prom with the sands. In the shadow of Blackpool Tower is the Comedy Carpet, a striking slice of public art offering a ‘Walk of Fame’-style journey through jokes, songs and catchphrases of British comedians. Every step brings a giggle.

We had fun in Coral Island amusements before walking along the Golden Mile to the South Beach area.

The next morning, we took a five-minute walk to Sandcastle Waterpark, the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, with slides and fun pools in a tropical climate. The boys loved it, particularly the Aztec-themed slides launching from the roof, venturing outside, then back into the building, and Masterblaster, the world’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide. Sam and I braved Montazooma, a mat slide with 360-degree loops. It’s a fabulous family attraction, perfect for a rainy day.

Having worked up an appetite, we caught a tram to North Pier and ate fish and chips on the front before heading for the tower. The country’s best-known seaside landmark, built in 1894, is more than 500ft high. Due to high winds, the lift to the Tower Eye viewing platform wasn’t operating, but we watched couples waltzing beneath the chandeliers in the beautiful Tower Ballroom.

A short walk along the front is Madame Tussauds, where we encountered everyone from Susan Boyle to Lady GaGa, and I pulled a pint in the Rover’s Return with Bet Lynch. We then visited SeaLife, home to creatures including sharks, turtles an octopus and a whopping 9ft-wide giant Japanese spider crab.

Like Wallace and Gromit, we’d had a grand day out in Blackpool. We found it a smart, lively, family-friendly resort, blending contemporary attractions with classic seaside charm.

With the boys keen to return, we’re already planning our next trip.

Factfile:

  • A Deluxe Family Room at Big Blue Hotel costs from £99 per night. Visit
  • bigbluehotel.com.
  • For more about Beach House, visit beachhouseblackpool.co.uk.
  • The Blackpool Resort Pass is £77.50 per person. The Original Resort Pass is £52.50 per person. For more details ring (01253) 478222 or visit blackpoolresortpass.com.
  • For more about Blackpool, visit blackpool.com.