Blackpool’s five-star Ribby Hall holiday park left a wonderful impression

FIRST impressions always count in life.

That first date will tell you if there’s a chance of romance. And it usually takes house-hunters a matter of seconds before deciding if they’re looking at their dream home.

The same goes with holidays – and Ribby Hall couldn’t have made a better first impression if it tried. It’s a five-star holiday park and village set in 100 acres by the pretty little village of Wrea Green, just a few miles from Blackpool.

Breaks are midweek, full-week or weekend and we’ve arrived just after lunch on the Monday amidst a multitude of new guests.

But there are no queues, no rush and nothing but informative chat.

Soon, keys in hand, we’re parking outside our home from home. It’s Poppy, one of the super-smart little cottages sleeping six.

There are three bedrooms, two twins and a master with en suite bathroom. The living/dining room has a wall-mounted TV while there’s a nice fitted kitchen should you want to cook for yourself.

And minutes later there’s a knock at the door as a bag of food staples is handed in containing bread, butter, cheese, coffee, milk, cereals and more.

It’s a really lovely, homely touch.

But there are loads of dining options on-site to cater for all tastes. During our stay we check out the chic tapas bar and the thriving family-friendly bar and grill.

In both, the standard of food and service was outstanding.

Families abound, and if you’re worried about entertaining the kids, you needn’t be as there’s something on morning, noon and night with a great swimming pool complex and much more.

As we wander round the paths by the ponds and woodland trails we can’t help but agree there really is a fantastic village feel to the place.

But after plenty of time just kicking back and doing nothing – and tempting though it was to keep on with that – we decided we couldn’t be this near to Blackpool and not visit.

And the best way by a mile – Golden or otherwise – to catch many of the must-sees is to get a Big Ticket Pass (www.theblackpooltower.com/booking/the-big-ticket). It gets you access to seven of the most popular attractions.

First stop, of course, was the most iconic sight – the Tower itself.

Like the rest of the town it hasn’t survived, and indeed thrived, by resting on its laurels and not keeping up with the times.

So before the lift whisks you 380 feet into the air in one minute and nine seconds, there’s a noisy, fun and occasionally damp 4D experience.

When we got to the Tower Eye we were lucky it was a cracker of a day with blue skies, sunshine and unrivalled panoramic views to sea and town alike.

But the most nerve-tingling aspect was the look down from the glass SkyWalk.

The Tower also, of course, houses the famous Ballroom and an afternoon tea beckoned. Oh, what a marvellous old fashioned treat.

When Strictly rolls into town each November, it’s glitz and glamour, sparkles and fake tans. But the floor before us now was filled with amateur ballroom dancers. As we munched our sandwiches and scones we felt like a bit of a judging panel, keen to award 10s for the fancy footwork and even fancier shoes and dresses.

The Tower also houses the historic circus. From knife-throwing to juggling, breath-taking trapeze to slapstick comedy, you won’t find slicker, more polished entertainment anywhere.

And on the subject of being at the top of their game, part of the new Blackpool is the Beach House Bar and Bistro. It sits right on the prom in a smart, modern building and enjoying a cracking meal made the perfect end to our day.

After all that excitement a day of pampering beckoned at the Spa Hotel at Ribby. An Aqua Thermal journey through various temperature zones, a tasty lunch in the Orangery Restaurant and a couple of spa treatments made for the most laid-back time imaginable. Both relaxed and invigorated, we vowed it wouldn’t be long before we joined Ribby Hall’s village people again.