My partner and I will compete at UK championships & Blackpool for the first time this year. We'll stay 1 week for each & hope to get coaching while we're there, too. Has anyone been to these before? Can you offer any advice? I hear that students aren't allowed in the studio unless they're taking a lesson. Can you rent floor space? Where do we stay? Do I have to rent a car -- I'm afraid to drive on the wrong side of the road! Do top coaches offer lessons during competition time (before/during/after?) Does the culture dictate you pay before or after lessons? Please help! Thank you!

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! I've competed at the British Open and it's such a treat to see so many people and such fine dancing, day after day (after late night after late night...).

I don't know how the UK championship may be different, and I don't know where you're from, but I'll tell you what I found. Practice: there's the Tower ballroom that has a nice floor and organ music, open for dancing fairly often (but not all the time; be sure to check ahead) for a small fee. It is social dance time, so be considerate of the regulars! There were practice spaces reserved for competitors from certain areas (for example, the North American competitors' space is in a hotel).

There are times for practicing on the floor itself, also a bit structured if my memory serves. Check on that when you get there. The floor is crammed though, so use it to feel the floor and get used to the hall. It won't be a great dance session, just a quickie to feel comfortable in the space (and what a space the Empress Ballroom is to dance in!). When we were getting coaching it would be in a studio or the practice ballroom, so we never asked about renting floor time. Anyone else know about that?

Blackpool is crammed with B&B's and hotels - that's pretty much the whole town! B&B's are much cheaper of course, and are all around the WinterGardens, so many are an easy walk away. Our favorite place was the Goldhurst, but I'm sure you can find a good place (tourist info can recommend and even book rooms if you tell them the requirements - area, price range, sky TV, private bath, etc.). Lots of them are listed in the internet too.

You don't have to rent a car if you think you'll be happy in Blackpool. You can take the train and then taxi to your B&B. It's a short walk between the WinterGardens, the Tower, waterfront, pedestrian shopping area and lots of stores. On the other hand, it's not the most... um... cultural town, so if you want to have a country getaway day you may want a car for that. Or you could take the train or buses, go to Liverpool or something like that.

Yes, you can get lessons from coaches there, though it works best if you contact them before you go, since they will likely be very busy. Pay after the lesson, unless you want to get it out of the way and pay before.

Have a great time... fill the space with your dancing!

I am sure you will have a wonderful time during your dancing trips to England. Make sure you book your hotel in Bournemouth well in advance as availability can be a problem. The hotels in Bournemouth are generally more expensive than in Blackpool. If you stay in Blackpool Town Centre the ballrooms at the Wintergardens and Tower are within easy walking distance. Be warned though that Central Blackpool is a pretty rough area, especially late at night on weekends and Bank Holidays!!! There are a few local studios in both of these areas where you would probably be able to arrange lessons but if you want lessons with any of Britain's top coaches you will probably have to be prepared to spend some of your time in the South London/Surrey area of the Country, where the best competitive studios are situated.

Dance Options at Cheam in Surrey
Semley Studio at Norbury, London
Bill & Bobbie Irvines Studio in Streatham, London
Dulwich Studio, London

These are four of the best and many of Britains best coaches teach at these four venues. Dance Options and Semley have practice sessions most days and both of these studios also have accommodation available but again I would think you would need to book this well in advance.

Hope this is helpful.