I have to agree about the hassle at Blackpool. I went back seating with some freinds a while back, and it was just a pain, pure and simple. If you are adamant that you want to go to Blackpool, then I am led to believe that there is a discount on landing fees for training flights (If you know what I mean), but I still think a good lump of £20 for landing a tad steep.
CAE is probably the best alternative. Sam that runs the place is a top guy, the food is good, landing fees reasonable, and as for your passengers looking at something tangible, from Sheffield, over the moors to the coast, get a FIS from LPL and track down the coast, no other navigation required, and you can quite easily make out the Sun Centre at Rhyl, the cable Cars at Llandudno, and at the Menai Bridge call CAE. Simple. Depending on the runway in use, there is a great approach over the beach!!!!