Coral Island
Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Coral Island is an old-school amusement arcade brought into the 2020s with no expense spared. When you think of Blackpool, this is the type of place that flashes front and centre: big, bold and flat-out fun.
And it’s not just for kids – the Willy Wonka-style boffins in charge (who undoubtedly have the best job in the world) have made it equal parts kid, family, mum, dad, uncle – hell, everyone-who-likes-fun friendly.
All your old favourites are here, from those gloriously fun 2p machines to air hockey tables that bring out the competitive side in merciless dads – all priced very reasonably, all tons of fun.
But it’s 2024, and Coral Island also has a bunch of the latest innovations in indoor amusements, including panoramic video games where you can do everything from blasting zombies to racing supercars. The Sky Rider, in particular, is a must-try – it’s one of those stomach-lurching Pirate Ship theme park rides, albeit a family-friendly version that manages to get your blood racing without leaving you staggering about with jelly legs.
There’s even a mini-monorail that gives an eye-in-the-sky roaming view around the entire place – especially fun for fans of the best-ever Simpsons episode.
Best of all, the vibe is bustling and friendly – everyone’s here for a good time, not least the fantastically friendly staff, and there’s plenty of room to get around, even at peak times.
Hungry after all that old-school merriment? There are no less than five restaurants and a takeaway across the entire complex, but we suggest heading to Buccaneer for a top-notch seaside meal with big portions, where kids eat free. Read our full review here.
No visit to Blackpool is complete without an hour or two or three at the amusements, and Coral Island is as no-holds-barred fun as it gets. Whether you want to relive the glory days of your childhood trips to Blackpool Beach or treat a new generation to the joys of flashing lights, multi-coloured sweets and rapid-fire dopamine hits, a few hours at Coral Island will be a surefire hit.
