Peace and quiet in five-star setting... Soak up village life minutes from Blackpool’s bright lights

THEY came lumbering in right on cue, almost as if they sensed their audience was waiting.

Either that or they knew there was grub in some of the myriad holes in the wall of their spectacular and very grand new home.

This was the new Project Elephant Base Camp at Blackpool Zoo.

The multi-million-pound facility combines the UK’s largest indoor elephant house, a huge outdoor habitat and a visitor experience that whisks you through Asia.

The three magnificent beasts, which the zoo hopes will be joined by another two, had us all captivated as we learned about their past. And also what mankind, hopefully, might wise up and do for their species’ future.

The zoo is as big and interest-filled as the elephant’s new abode. We were so close to the lions and tigers we could almost feel them eyeing us up for dinner. In that way the best part of a day passed in fine fashion.

Thankfully we were in no rush to cram in all that seaside favourite Blackpool had on offer.

We were staying just 15 minutes away at Ribby Hall Village, the north’s only five-star holiday village, and a four-night midweek break made sure time was on our side.

There’s a choice of classy cottages that can sleep from two to six as well as pine lodges equipped with hot tubs that can accommodate family and friends groups of up to 14.

All are finished stylishly with ours, a Sapphire, a real beauty.

There were three bedrooms, one a master with ensuite and two other twins, one with bunk beds.

Each bedroom has its own television and a huge wall-mounted one in the spacious lounge, complete with enhanced mood lighting on either side.

A patio outside the lounge and well fitted-out kitchen looked on to a lovely little lake. Sitting out looking at the ducks waddling by was sheer, peaceful heaven.

Everything is well spaced out with no feeling of being overlooked, which isn’t surprising as it’s a large site.

There’s always loads to do for the whole family, with daytime activities and an evening entertainment programme geared to all ages.

Just one bit of fun was the great Discovery Centre with curious, eager-eyed meerkats and darting marmosets as well as sleepy-looking bats and equally lazy-looking tortoises.

There are guided talks several times each day and while it looked like the pot-bellied pig could have done with being on a diet we found, to our astonishment, that it had already been on a strict one.

Apparently, it used to be twice the size when its previous owners kept it in their house, until it barged the radiators off the wall.

There are several dining options, including the Restaurant and Tapas Bar, where your fare can come in bite-sized selections or plate and tummy-filling portions.

If you fancy putting your feet up in the cottage you can also pick up a pizza from the on-site Papa John’s or get a Starbucks.

Tempting as it was to never set foot outside the fabulous complex – and trust me it was as tempting as a neverending happy hour – Blackpool proved a strong enough lure.

The biggest attraction of all, of course, is that Tower.

It might look timeless, but inside it has more than kept pace with changing tastes.

These include the 4D cinema experience that rumbles and sprays you before the 380ft ride to the top.

The views all around are simply breath-taking – as is the experience of stepping out on the glass SkyWalk and looking straight down.

While much is new – and it is a fresh show for 2018 – settling down afterwards for the circus couldn’t help but make you think back to the millions who’d similarly laughed and gasped.

And back at Ribby there was plenty more to keep those good times rolling.

The Segways, for one, whizzing you through the grounds and the splendid new £1.6 million family leisure pool with its flumes, hot tubs and more.

In fact, the only problem was that Monday afternoon became Friday morning all too soon and there was so much left to do.

Still, there’s always next time.