Resort of towering popularity, though the water looks pretty dirty? (9)
I believe the answer is:
blackpool
'resort of towering popularity' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'the water looks pretty dirty?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'water' could be 'pool' (pool is a kind of water) and 'pool' is found within the answer.
'dirty?' could be 'black' (I've seen this before) and 'black' is located in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'though' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for blackpool that I've seen before include "Northern football team" , "Lancashire resort" .)