Most Overrated Tourist Spots / Attractions in the UK .. where ?

[Willie Bee]

Where would people here say are the most overrated tourist traps / attractions in the UK ?

I have just seen an article online, about this

Although I am a big fan of Edinburgh, having been there several times, it seems Edinburgh Castle is the 5th most ‘overrated’ attraction in the UK and the Royal Mile (also in Edinburgh) is the 2nd most overrated and underwhelming tourist trap.

May as well find out where not to go, on my next trip

 

[paul1609]

Blackpool, the place is an absolute dump.

 

[brad465]

London.

 

[hexagon789]

I would say it's more individual attractions/sites rather than specific towns or cities.

 

[Busaholic]

Glastonbury, loathe the place and surrounds.

Second, Stonehenge, including the Druids.

 

[Trackman]

Where would people here say are the most overrated tourist traps / attractions in the UK ?

I have just seen an article online, about this

Although I am a big fan of Edinburgh, having been there several times, it seems Edinburgh Castle is the 5th most ‘overrated’ attraction in the UK and the Royal Mile (also in Edinburgh) is the 2nd most overrated and underwhelming tourist trap.

May as well find out where not to go, on my next trip

Can you link and quote the source please?
--
Anyone visiting Edinburgh, I would recommend The Royal Mile 100%. As for a tourist trap - prices are standard Edinburgh prices aka London city prices!!

 

[alex397]

London.

Think you need to be more specific than that - I think London is great in many ways, as long as you avoid Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street and all those naff touristy parts. Now those parts I definitely would say are completely overrated, and don’t show the real and more interesting London.

I think I disagree about Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. I think it’s fantastic and still has some of its charm despite the tourists. The view is great from there too, and I found a decent independent ‘proper’ pub just down an alley off there too.

For me I’d probably say the popular ‘country’ areas, such as Cornwall, Lake District, Cotswolds. It’s just far too stressful with having to drive everywhere, get stuck in traffic, get stuck down country lanes full of Range Rover drivers who don’t know how to drive down country lanes, try and find somewhere to park, and then visit pretty villages which are ruined by cars parked everywhere so you can’t get a good photo. That’s far too car-centric a tourist destination for me. Hopefully some of these destinations can encourage more public transport and less car drivers in future.

 

[D6130]

Alton Towers....and various smaller 'theme parks'.

 

[Willie Bee]

Can you link and quote the source please?
--

Sorry, I just saw an article pop up on my phone .. Google news or something .. but it all vanishes after a while and gets replaced with new items

 

[J-2739]

Blackpool, the place is an absolute dump.

It's not really overrated though; everyone knows it's a dump!

 

[Train Maniac]

Cambridge- As someone who enjoys cycling i was rather underwhelmed tbh. The station is a long way from the city centre along a rather busy road. The centre itself is honestly no different to any other university city. Not a great deal to explore other than cycling along the River Cam. Personally i find Oxford much more interesting

 

[J-2739]

Personally i find Oxford much more interesting

How dare you!

 

[brad465]

Think you need to be more specific than that - I think London is great in many ways, as long as you avoid Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street and all those naff touristy parts. Now those parts I definitely would say are completely overrated, and don’t show the real and more interesting London.

I would say the Monument and London Eye are overrated from a viewing point perspective, because a) London has built up so much you can't see as much from them compared to the start of the century, b) The Shard has superseded them in this respect. I also think many of the Royal-related attractions are overrated too. The parks generally are good for a positive side to things.

 

[Trackman]

Blackpool, the place is an absolute dump.

I can smell and taste it from here - it isn't nice.

Southport has upped its game though, took my dad there about 4 years ago before he passed. Free parking and stuff near the pier, ideal for an hour stop over, something to eat etc.. Last time I went before that (a very long time ago) it was really very glum.

 

[AlterEgo]

Stonehenge is crap. Not even the best henge in the country.

 

[Freightmaster]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lands End yet!




MARK

 

[gordonthemoron]

How dare you!

TBF Oxford has much better pubs, as featured in Morse

 

[spyinthesky]

Stonehenge is crap. Not even the best henge in the country.

Not even the best stone. Most now in concrete bases. Can’t wait for the tunnel.

 

[JGurney]

Blackpool, the place is an absolute dump.

For many years, it certainly attracted tram enthusiasts.

Where would people here say are the most overrated tourist traps / attractions in the UK ?

Giants Causeway.
Nowhere near as interesting as was claimed.

Glastonbury, loathe the place and surrounds.

Well, it is the original British tourist trap, since 1278 when the monks faked Arthur and Genevieve's grave to bring in lucrative visitors.

To be fair, it does have some interesting geology, and some minor but interesting roles in canal, rail and bus network history - and is perhaps of considerable interest to some sociologists and psychologists.

 

[GusB]

The West Highland Line. I wouldn't say it's over-rated in terms of the scenery, but as far as the bloody Harry Potter thing is concerned it most definitely is.

It's all subjective, though. You do need your kitsch tourist attractions to keep the hoards away from the genuine sweet spots!

 

[stadler]

Brighton easily wins. It is hugely overrated. I am not sure why so many tourists still visit. I would be so disappointed if i went to Brighton as a tourist.

Brighton is an absolute dump. It has to be one of the worst cities i have visited. Every time i visit it seems to get worse and worse. If you go back twenty years it was quite decent but nowadays it is just a complete and utter dump. This city has seen the biggest decline of any city i have been to. Especially in recent years it has turned in to an absolute dump.

The entire city centre is horrible. It is full of homeless people and drug addicts and alcoholics. You can not walk more than a couple minutes without a beggar approaching you asking for money. The city centre is filthy. The streets look like they have never been cleaned. The bins are always overflowing. There is rubbish absolutely everywhere. It is full of closed down and boarded up shops. There are very few good shops remaining. The remaining shops are mostly just vape shops and phone shops and tacky tourist shops which all seem to have increased in recent years. The entire city centre just has a very horrible run down feel to it.

I am not sure why Brighton is so popular because the entire place is a dump. If you are going to visit the area you might as well avoid Brighton and go to nearby Lewes instead which is a very pleasant town.

 

[railfan99]

Having been twice to Windsor Castle (the second time with my spouse), I thought it hugely overrated compared to say The Tower of London.

The latter, while crowded, is well worth visiting but apart from St George's Chapel, there wasn't much to see at Windsor Castle. Hats off though for having a choice of railway stations, Riverside IIRC being a cheaper fare than the more central Windsor station.

 

[oldman]

Loch Ness. It's big, but the surrounding landscape is fairly ordinary compared to the west coast - rounded hills and a lot of commercial forestry.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Well, it is the original British tourist trap, since 1278 when the monks faked Arthur and Genevieve's grave to bring in lucrative visitors.

Thought 'Genevieve' was the vintage car which appeared in the 1953 comedy feature film of the same name.

 

[Magdalia]

Cambridge- As someone who enjoys cycling i was rather underwhelmed tbh.

As a local, I'm happy for Cambridge to be regarded as underwhelming. Cambridge is a much better place without tourists.

Cycling in Cambridge is functional, it is for locals to get around the city quickly, not for tourists to ride around getting in the way.

The station is a long way from the city centre along a rather busy road.

There are lots of buses, one of the reasons why Hills Road is busy.

There is also a signposted cycling route that avoids Hills Road, going via some pleasant Victorian streets then along the edge of Parkers Piece.

 

[sor]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lands End yet!

I suppose there's something in being at the southern tip of the mainland, but you can also do that from other places (why not visit the telegraph museum at Porthcurno instead)

But for Cornwall I'd nominate Newquay, especially during summer. Plenty of other beaches to go to.

 

[SargeNpton]

Well, it is the original British tourist trap, since 1278 when the monks faked Arthur and Genevieve's grave to bring in lucrative visitors.

To be fair, it does have some interesting geology, and some minor but interesting roles in canal, rail and bus network history - and is perhaps of considerable interest to some sociologists and psychologists.

Guinevere surely?

 

[The exile]

I think I disagree about Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. I think it’s fantastic and still has some of its charm despite the tourists. The view is great from there too, and I found a decent independent ‘proper’ pub just down an alley off there too.

As a former resident of the city, I’m intrigued. Where on the Royal Mile has a “a view”? (assuming of course you mean from the street rather than from the windows of any of the properties). Plenty of views just off it…. (Or is my memory playing tricks?)

 

[prod_pep]

I am not sure why Brighton is so popular because the entire place is a dump. If you are going to visit the area you might as well avoid Brighton and go to nearby Lewes instead which is a very pleasant town.

Absolutely agreed: Brighton is very grotty indeed these days. A total dump. Eastbourne and Bognor are two far superior and much cleaner resorts in the area for my money.

 

[1D54]

Barry Island, i had the misfortune to visit the place last Saturday and couldn't believe what a dump it was. I stayed an hour before making my way back to Cardiff. Never again!!