Penwortham Grange and Lodge’s Trip to Blackpool Illuminations

Residents and colleagues of our Preston-based care home recently visited the iconic bright lights of Blackpool – an outing full of smiles, songs and special moments.

Blackpool Illuminations is an annual lights festival that transforms the promenade into a dazzling display of colour and creativity. It has been running since 1879 and is a nostalgic favourite for many, and our residents were thrilled to be part of it once again this year.

The group set off in the afternoon and made a classic seaside pit stop - fish and chips, of course! This was enjoyed from the comfort of the minibus while taking in the views of the seafront. Although the weather didn’t cooperate, the atmosphere and the company more than made up for it.

Glow sticks in hand, the group then travelled through the Illuminations, admiring the bright displays and the nostalgic sights of Blackpool Tower, which sparked plenty of excitement on board.

Jayne and Lucy from the Activities Team organised and supported the trip, joined by Maddie, Care Assistant, who kindly volunteered her time to help make the evening run smoothly.

Resident Tommy was full of smiles and regularly commented, “That is lovely,” as we passed each new display. Kath had a well-deserved nap during the drive-through (who can blame her?), but thoroughly enjoyed her fish and chips beforehand.

Leila brought an extra burst of energy to the evening by leading a singalong of “I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside,” and was the first to spot Blackpool Tower as the bus approached. Joyce S was clearly enjoying the moment too, while Kath J described the lights as “pretty, so clever and lovely.”

“This is the second year in a row the we organised the trip, following great feedback from last year. For many of our residents, Blackpool holds treasured memories -  holidays with family, visits with children and grandchildren, and days out by the sea. It’s a place that brings joy and sparks conversation.” Said Jayne.

Lucy, reflected: “Since joining the team in June, this has been a highlight for me. It was a reminder of how valuable these small trips can be for everyone involved.”

These moments of connection and shared experience are what make outings like this so meaningful. For our residents, it was more than just a night out — it was a chance to relive happy memories and create new ones.

Penwortham Grange and Lodge Care Home offers residential dementia care, short-term respite care, and residential care for older people in the Lancashire region. Want to know more? Call 01772 748576 or click the button below