Using Le Shuttle

Are you planning a driving trip to France from the UK but would like to try something other than a ferry? You need to check out Le Shuttle, it offers a fast, weather-proof way to cross the English Channel with your vehicle.

I used Le Shuttle for the first time in April 2025 for our trip to Normandy and I was very impressed with the whole process. So here is my hints and tips for using Le Shuttle for your next trip.

Whether you're heading to France for a holiday or returning to the UK, Le Shuttle (formerly Eurotunnel) is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to travel with your car. The journey takes just 35 minutes, and trains run frequently throughout the day.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to booking and using Le Shuttle.

🖥️ Booking Online

You can book your journey directly through the Le Shuttle website:

• Choose your route: Select either a one-way or return trip between Folkestone (UK) and Calais (France).

• Select your vehicle type: Prices vary depending on whether you’re driving a car, van, motorcycle, or towing a trailer.

• Pick your travel time: You’ll see available departure slots and can choose based on convenience or price.

• Add passengers: The number of people in your vehicle doesn’t affect the price, but must be declared.

• Payment: Secure your booking with a debit or credit card. You’ll receive a booking reference and QR code.

You can also manage your booking online, including changing travel times or vehicle details if needed.

🚗 At Folkestone Terminal (UK Side)

• Arrival: Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Follow signs to the check-in booths.

• Check-in: Scan your booking QR code or enter your reference number. You’ll be assigned a departure lane and you will have a rear-view mirror hanger printed with your lane number, Make sure you put this on your rear-view mirror straight away. It's here that you are also given the option to go on an earlier train if you are really early, but there may be a charge so make sure you read the screens that come up before pressing confirm.

• Waiting Terminal: There is a big building that has a few shops and places to eat if you have some waiting time before your lane number is going to be called for boarding. You can stay in your car if you wish, you don't have to go into the terminal if you don't want to, but I would suggest using the toilet as the one on the train is not very big.

• Border Control: You’ll pass through UK exit checks and French entry checks at the border control booths. Make sure you have your passports ready.. You may also be asked to park to one side and have their car inspected, this is random and will only take a few minutes, so make sure you don't have anything in your car that you aren't meant to.

• Boarding: Drive onto the train when directed. Staff will guide you into position. Stay inside your vehicle during the crossing.

🚙 At Calais Terminal (France Side)

• Arrival: Same process — arrive early, check in with your booking code, and follow signs to the boarding lanes.

• Waiting Terminal: There is another terminal with shops and places to eat that you can take advantage of before boarding. Once again, make sure you use the toilet before going round to border control.

• Border Control: You’ll go through French exit checks and UK entry checks. Again, have passports and paperwork ready in case you are asked.

• Boarding: Drive onto the shuttle and remain in your vehicle. The crossing takes about 35 minutes.

📝 Tips for a Smooth Journey

• Pets: Le Shuttle is pet-friendly, but you’ll need to follow DEFRA rules and book a pet slot. There is areas for taking your pets for a walk at the terminal so you don't need to worry about them being in your vehicle for a very long period of time.

• Trailers & Roof Boxes: These may affect pricing and train allocation, declare them during booking or you could end up paying a lot more on the day you travel.

• Club Le Shuttle: Frequent travelers can join for perks like discounts and priority boarding so if you think you might start using Le Shuttle whenever you want to cross the Channel, it might be worth joining.

Le Shuttle is ideal for those who want speed, flexibility, and the comfort of staying with their vehicle. With easy online booking and efficient terminals on both sides, it’s a stress-free way to cross the Channel.

Want help planning your route beyond Calais or finding great stopovers in France? I’d be happy to help!

Sea Life Centre - Blackpool

If you are like me and love all things under the sea, the Sea Life Centre in Blackpool offers an enchanting underwater journey featuring sharks, rays, seahorses, jellyfish, and more across 10 themed zones that will bring a big smile to anyone's face.

Nestled on Blackpool’s vibrant seafront, the Sea Life Centre is a captivating escape into the deep blue, showcasing over 2,000 aquatic creatures across more than 50 dazzling displays. Whether you're a marine enthusiast or simply looking for a family-friendly adventure, this aquarium delivers a memorable experience.

🐠 Themed Zones & Marine Highlights

The centre is divided into 10 themed zones, each offering a unique glimpse into different marine habitats so that you can get as up and close to them as you can:

• Rockpools: A hands-on area where visitors can touch starfish and learn about coastal ecosystems. I really liked this part, actually getting to touch starfish and feel the texture of their beautiful little bodies.

• Rainforest Adventure: Home to exotic amphibians and reptiles, adding a twist to the aquatic theme.

• Ocean Tunnel: This is my favourite part, I love walking through the tunnel and seeing the sharks, stingrays and other amazing sea creatures gliding through the water above me.

• Shark Zone: Featuring tropical sharks like blacktip reef sharks and nurse sharks, showcasing their ancient lineage and graceful power as they silently flow through the water.

• Ray Bay: A serene space where majestic rays glide effortlessly through the water and you can get a glimpse into their world.

• Seahorse Kingdom: This is another one of my favourite parts as a love seahorses. They are so small and but beautiful, delicate and mesmerizing. Watching them holding onto things with their little tails and swaying in the current.

• Jellyfish Zone: Hypnotic displays of jellyfish pulsing in illuminated tanks that change colour. With each different colour, you see a different side of the jellyfish and just watching them is so soothing, I could watch them all day.

• Coral Reef: Bursting with lots of beautiful colours, this area houses clownfish, tangs, and other reef dwellers. And yes, I am the one walking in and squealing because "I found Nemo", hahaha.

• Octopus Hideout: Meet the intelligent and elusive octopus, I feel like I learn something new about these amazing creatures every time I go to a Sea Life Centre. It really is mind blowing what they can do naturally.

• Turtle Shelter: A favourite among visitors, featuring rescued sea turtles and educational insights into their care.

🌊 Conservation & Education

Many of the animals at Sea Life Blackpool are rescued, endangered, or part of breeding programs, making the centre not just entertaining but also educational for all ages. Interactive displays and informative signage help visitors understand the importance of marine conservation and how we can help.

🧒 Family-Friendly Fun

The centre is ideal for families, with child-friendly exhibits, engaging activities, and a layout that’s easy to navigate without getting lost. Kids especially love the chance to touch marine creatures and spot familiar faces from shows like Octonauts. My favourite parts are the domes in the tanks that you can put your head into so that you feel like you are in the tank as well.

🎫Tickets

The Sea Life Centre can be included in the Merlin Blackpool Attraction Pass so not only can you have an awesome time seeing all the beautiful sea creatures, but you can get it at a reasonable price.

Wetherspoons - The Velvet Coaster - Blackpool

This is one of my favourite Wetherspoons ever, it's still the same as other Wetherspoons pubs in regards to the food, drinks, etc but this one is quite stylish, very clean, great indoor and outdoor seating, some of which is up on the second floor on the balcony so you get an awesome sea view while you eat. 

I also love the massive wicca sculpture of the old fashioned weightlifter, I think it is to represent all the circus acts and shows that have been part of Blackpool for as long as it's been a big tourist attraction.

It's really close to one of the tram stops and it's just over the road from the South Pier so it's really easy to get to and the perfect place to stop off for some food.

I feel very comfortable when I come here and during both my trips to Blackpool, this is the only place that I have been to multiple times.

Abingdon Street Market - Blackpool

Abingdon Street Market is amazing. Everyone is your group all want different things to eat, no problem, come here and you can all eat something different. There burgers, pizzas, tacos, plant based food, hot dogs, chicken wings, Japanese street food and loads more.

Drinks wise, as well as the stands offering soft drinks, there is also coffee, smoothies and tea, there is also bar doing alcoholic drinks like craft ales, cocktails, beers and spirits.

There is loads of long benches as seating with tables just as long and if you don't want to walk all the way round the food stands to pick something, you can scan the QR code on the table and you can go through all the menus and order food so that you don't even have to leave your seat. You don't have to go up and get your food when it's ready either, you can stay sitting at your table because the venters bring the food to the table. It's the same for the bars as well, so you can stay comfy in your seat all night.

If you go to Abingdon Street Market in the day time, not only are the food stands open but there is also a section that is retail. There are stands that do hand crafted gifts, 3d printing, vinyls, jewellery, candles, cards and other awesome things for you to check out.

The whole place has a nice chilled vibe were everyone is just there for a good time. I would highly recommend going here on your next trip to Blackpool.

Papas Fish And Chips - Blackpool

We didn't have the best experience here at Papa's but the food was lovely. 

The part that wasn't great was that there was just 2 members of staff working and it was really busy. There was 1 person in the kitchen and 1 person out on the floor so he was taking orders for food and drinks, cleaning the tables and taking food to the tables. I felt really bad for them when I a big group of about 20 people turned up and we had already been waiting an hour for our food so knew they were massively behind. 

We both had the Chip Shop Platter, it is a battered haddock, chips, a battered sausage, and a parsley fishcake. We both really loved the food as it was cooked perfectly and the batter on the haddock was nice and crispy.

I loved that they have a cocktail menu so I had a few very delicious strawberry daiquiris and was surprised that they came out in such large glasses as usually they are little glasses.

The prices are really reasonable for food and drinks. We both had mains, I had cocktails, Sean had beers and it didn't even come to £60.

The restaurant is really big with loads of tables and it's very stylish. If you want to go on a weekend, I would suggest booking so you aren't disappointed.

Blackpool Ballroom

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is one of those places where it doesn't matter if you are a dancer or not, it's an amazing experience just being there. It’s not just a dance hall, it’s an experience that makes you feel part of something timeless.

💃 The Blackpool Tower Ballroom: A Dance with History

Step inside the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, and you’re instantly transported to another era. The chandeliers sparkle, the gilded balconies curve elegantly around the room, and the polished wooden floor seems to whisper stories of dancers that have glided across it's boards. It’s no wonder this ballroom has become a bucket-list stop for visitors to Blackpool. I lost track of time just by looking up and admiring the beautiful architecture.

🕰️ A Touch of History

• The original ballroom opened in August 1894, the same year the Tower itself was unveiled.

• The current design was created by Frank Matcham, one of Britain’s most celebrated theatre architects, who gave the ballroom its ornate, theatrical flair.

• The dance floor is a marvel in itself, made up of 30,602 individual blocks of mahogany, oak, and walnut, carefully arranged to create a surface that’s perfect for gliding across.

• Above the stage, you’ll spot a Shakespearean inscription: “Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear” a nod to the ballroom’s blend of art and performance.

• The ballroom has hosted countless events, from local dances to the dazzling Strictly Come Dancing specials, cementing its place in British pop culture.

🎶 The Sound of the Wurlitzer

No visit is complete without hearing the famous Wurlitzer organ that we were glad to see was being used the day that we visited. Since 1975, organist Phil Kelsall has been filling the ballroom with music, creating the soundtrack for dancers twirling across the floor. The sound is rich, nostalgic, and instantly makes you want to join in.

🌟 Why Tourists Love It

Visiting the ballroom isn’t just about watching, you can:

• Sit back with tea and cake while the organ plays because you can book to afternoon tea and sit on either the blue or red tables that are at the sides of the dance floor. If you don't want to have afternoon tea, there is a counter to get hot drinks and snacks.

• Step onto the floor yourself and try a waltz or foxtrot. I really enjoyed sitting and watching people dancing, some were dressed up very smartly or dressed up like they were about to enter a dance competition. Then there were some who were in jeans and t-shirts, but I loved that no one cared who was wearing what, they were all there to dance.

• Simply soak up the atmosphere, imagining the generations who’ve danced here before. Which is what we did, we watched the dancers, listened to the music and just took in the room.

It’s casual, welcoming, and surprisingly affordable, making it a perfect stop whether you’re a dance enthusiast or just curious about Blackpool’s heritage.

🎫Tickets

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is another attraction on the Merlin Attraction Pass so the ease of booking is a really big bonus.

Backstage - Cleveleys - Blackpool

Other than The Waterloo, Backstage is the music venue to check out in Blackpool. 

It's a small venue but they love live music and have bands playing in there on a regular basis.

We were there for a band's single launch and absolutely loved the place. There was lots of cool music memorabilia on the walls, there isn't much seating so be prepared to stand, but if you are there for a band you will probably be standing anyway.

The prices for drinks are really reasonable and the staff are really nice. 

If you are planning a trip to Blackpool and want a night of live music, check this place out to see if there are any gigs on.

Pirates Bay Family Bar - Central Pier - Blackpool

The Pirate Bay Family Bar is the perfect place to come with the family for some good entertainment. You will find it at the very end of the Central pier, you can't miss it.

They have live music most days and there is entertainment for the kids while parents can sit back and relax.

The bar is huge so there is plenty of seating and tables, they do amazing cocktails and it's connected to the indoor arcade so there is loads of things to keep the kids busy if the party ganesm balloon animals and dancing doesn't appeal to them.

They do food but I haven't eaten there, we always seem to go just after eating lunch but the food we had seen come out that other people had ordered looked really nice and didn't hear any complaints.

Wetherspoons - The Jolly Tars - Cleveleys - Blackpool

 
The Jolly Tars is a Wetherspoons pub so as I have said before about other Wetherspoons pubs, you get what you paid for.

We went on a Thursday night and it was packed. For the first 15 minutes we were there, there was no tables free and was just saying we should look for somewhere else to go when we saw some people stand up to leave and we basically jumped in there seats. I don't know if it was just lots of people on holiday as Cleveys is a quite far up from the Blackpool main promenade but still accessible by the tram. Or if there was a club nearby that was having a big event. We were there as it was the closest place to the music venue Backstage.

We both had mixed grills and even thought it was packed, it didn't take long for the food to come out to us. Some of the food was a little dry but it still good food, we enjoyed it.

There is loads of seating, we got a really nice booth to sit in but we saw tall tables to stand around and sofas as well as normal tables inside and out.

Blackpool Tower

There’s something magical about spotting the Blackpool Tower as it rises above the promenade. Whether you’re arriving by tram, car, or on foot, it’s impossible to miss that iron giant standing proud since 1894 above the buildings, a Victorian dream inspired by Paris’s Eiffel Tower, but with a distinctly British seaside twist.

🎡 The Adventure Begins at the Base

Your journey starts at ground level, where the Tower buzzes with energy being filled with tourists going to one of the many attractions that lead off from the lobby. Step inside and you’re greeted by a mix of history and fun:

• The Tower Circus has been entertaining crowds for over a century, with acrobats and clowns delighting families since the day it opened. I love that it is the same family that has been running the circus for all this time.

• The Tower Ballroom is pure elegance, think gilded balconies, chandeliers, and the sound of a Wurlitzer organ filling the air. It’s so iconic that Strictly Come Dancing regularly films here.

• For those who like a thrill, The Tower Dungeon offers a cheeky (and slightly spooky) dive into Lancashire’s darker past.

🚡 The Ascent: Lifts to the Sky

Then comes the climb. The lifts whisk you upwards through the Tower’s steel frame, and with each floor you’re leaving the bustle of the promenade behind. It’s a moment of anticipation, kids press their noses to the glass, adults clutch their cameras, and everyone wonders just how far they’ll see when they reach the top.

🌅 The Tower Eye & SkyWalk

At the summit, the Tower Eye delivers the payoff: sweeping views across the Fylde Coast. On a clear day, I've been told that you can spot the Lake District peaks, the Welsh hills, and even the Isle of Man off in the distance.

And then there’s the SkyWalk, a glass floor that lets you look straight down to the streets below. It’s equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, the kind of experience that makes you laugh nervously before snapping that must-have selfie. I'm not going to lie, it took me a few minutes to work my way out onto the glass to have my picture taken and then it took my longer to get Sean to walk out to have a picture with me. I was very happy to see there was a bar at the top so we could sit at a table with a drink and look out at the view.

🕰️ A Tower with Stories to Tell

What makes the Blackpool Tower special isn’t just the view, it’s the history woven into every level. I was built with over 2,500 tons of steel so it's not surprising that it was once the tallest man-made structure in Britain. Generations have danced, laughed, and gasped their way through its attractions, making it a living time capsule of seaside culture. As you are working your way up to the top, you go through amazing exhibits showing you the history of the tower, I found it so fascinating.

🎫Tickets

This is another attraction that you can get on the Merlin Attraction Pass so even more savings to be enjoyed.