Soft and crumbly. Photo © David Pimborough
The streets of Blackpool are known for their vibrant entertainment scene, but not many visitors know where to find tasty local food from the surrounding area. Love great food and regional specialities?
Book a great-value room at one of our Travelodge hotels, grab a Blackpool treat and explore one of the nation’s best-kept foodie secrets.
1. Blackpool Rock
This hard stick of boiled sugar is a British sea-side favourite and probably the most famous local speciality. Traditional rock is usually flavoured with mint, but these days you can find several variations and flavours.
Rock sweets are famous for having a pattern and, usually, letters that run right through the stick. The secret to getting the letters to look so perfect is that each stick of rock begins at a much larger size. Each letter is inserted and carefully moulded before the entire sweet is cooked, making it shrink to its more familiar size.
Blackpool rock. Photo © IPGGutenbergUK Ltd
Blackpool’s Rock Candy Kingdom allows you to order your own stick of personalised rock and also offers live demonstrations so you can see how it’s made.
2. Goosnargh Cakes
Similar in consistency to a piece of shortbread (and made with a similar mix of butter, sugar and flour), the Goosnargh cakes have a more savoury flavour and are packed with caraway or coriander seeds. You’ll find them most easily during Easter, and they’d usually be accompanied by a pint of ale.
The exact history of the Goosnargh cake is unknown, although it did originate in the nearby village of the same name. Today, Goosnargh cakes are relatively unknown around the UK, although a few small bakeries and tea shops in Blackpool will stock them – just ask.
3. Lancashire cheese
Cheese fans will rejoice. This true British cheese is soft and crumbly and, best of all, it makes the most delicious version of Welsh Rarebit.
The cheese needs to be matured for 4 to 12 weeks. Traditionally, farmers’ wives would make the cheese using surplus milk as a way to provide food for the family.
Head to one of the many farmer’s markets in the local area for a handmade block of cheese, or pop into any supermarket or delicatessen to get your fix.
4. Lancashire Hotpot
A true Blackpool treat, the Lancashier hotpot is a rich meat stew and is the perfect warming, hearty dish for a cold day. Traditionally, the dish would have been prepared by the wives of millworkers and left to cook all day, ready for the workers’ return in the evening.
For a truly local experience add a side of red cabbage. Most pubs will offer some variation on the Lancashire hotpot, but for the true taste of the region try to track down the Hot Pot Supper Company on one of their visits to the city.
Book into one of our Blackpool Travelodge hotels for a cosy place to unwind and relax after your meal.
5. Hindle Wakes
Ever heard of Hindle Wakes? This poultry dish involves stuffing a chicken with prunes and simmering overnight before serving with a rich gravy.
Chicken stuffed with prunes. Photo © laran2
It’s thought that the name came from Flemish weavers who lived in the area long ago – it’s a version of the ‘Frenglish’ phrase ‘Hen de la Wake’, meaning chicken of the fair or holiday season. Gold star if you can find this anywhere in town…!
You may have more luck finding the 1952 film Hindle Wakes, about two Lancashire mill girls.
