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

[Western Lord]

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.

The southern tip is Lizard Point.

 

[SteveM70]

Chester.

Always found it a bit underwhelming. Mentioned it to a friend once and his reply was “Spot on. A couple of rows of shops, a clock, and thousands of Welsh Scousers”

 

[dangie]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lands End yet!

Well you did

If you think Lands End is bad, try its opposite number John O’Groats. Less tourists than Lands End but even more dismal, usually with hurricane winds and lashing rain.

Many years ago I cycled the ‘End to End’. My last day was from Wick. Reached John O’Groats. What a desolate place. Even the cafe & hotel was closed. I had my picture taken and headed straight back to Wick.

I don’t know what it’s like nowadays, but it’ll probably still be cold & windy & wet.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

If you think Lands End is bad, try its opposite number John O’Groats. Less tourists than Lands End but even more dismal, usually with hurricane winds and lashing rain.

You're not really selling this to me!

 

[gg1]

Blackpool, the place is an absolute dump.

Doesn't really meet the definition of over rated as that would require a large number of people actually like the place.

I don't recall the last time I heard anyone say Blackpool was anything other that an utter dump.

 

[spyinthesky]

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.

As the most southern tip it is very underwhelming as that belongs to Lizard Point

 

[paul1609]

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.

Ive always had a soft spot for Newquay. I fondly remember long weekends on the only campsite that accepted all male groups (cant remember the name), where even back in the day you had to pay a £25 good behaviour deposit. There was a bus that ran all night to the various night clubs in town (miles away). Drugs were readily available from competing dealers outside the toilet blocks and the camp shop mostly dealt in slabs of cheap lager.

 

[sor]

The southern tip is Lizard Point.

As the most southern tip it is very underwhelming as that belongs to Lizard Point

Don't think most people are going to bust a gut over a fraction of a degree in latitude, though. Especially when one's easier to drive to.

Ive always had a soft spot for Newquay. I fondly remember long weekends on the only campsite that accepted all male groups (cant remember the name), where even back in the day you had to pay a £25 good behaviour deposit. There was a bus that ran all night to the various night clubs in town (miles away). Drugs were readily available from competing dealers outside the toilet blocks and the camp shop mostly dealt in slabs of cheap lager.

I guess that shows the difference in priorities. As (somewhat) of a local the main attraction was the fact that it had *the* KFC, before Bodmin and St. Austell got one

 

[paul1609]

Don't think most people are going to bust a gut over a fraction of a degree in latitude, though. Especially when one's easier to drive to.

I guess that shows the difference in priorities. As (somewhat) of a local the main attraction was the fact that it had *the* KFC, before Bodmin and St. Austell got one

I dont think that sleeping in a tent with 6 blokes, 1 of which we didnt know until we met him in sailors at 3am with nowhere to stay would be my choice now but it has definantly set up a bond with the town that makes me want to go back every so often even if id stay at the premier inn now!

 

[Acey]

Lands End, a total dump nowadays,not even the most westerly point in mainland Britain ! Plus the summit of Mt Snowdon ( Yr Wyddfa)

 

[DannyMich2018]

Doesn't really meet the definition of over rated as that would require a large number of people actually like the place.

I don't recall the last time I heard anyone say Blackpool was anything other that an utter dump.

Not only that but Blackpool is not cheap! Many hotels especially on the front can be very pricey, the local Wetherspoons are more expensive than other Wetherspoons too (like London ones but not quite as expensive). The only cheap place there is the Ardwick pub which is the cheapest in the country.

Chester.

Always found it a bit underwhelming. Mentioned it to a friend once and his reply was “Spot on. A couple of rows of shops, a clock, and thousands of Welsh Scousers”

I agree. We went there last year just before Easter. Station bit of a dump, not very friendly either. The Zoo was overrated too. Won't go again!

 

[PTR 444]

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)

Lands End isn’t the southernmost tip of Great Britain, nor is it the westernmost (that honour going to the Point of Ardnamurchan in Scotland).

 

[dangie]

Lands End isn’t the southernmost tip of Great Britain, nor is it the westernmost (that honour going to the Point of Ardnamurchan in Scotland).

Just like John O’Groats isn’t the most northerly point, that goes to Dunnet Head.

Also John O’Groats isn’t the furthest distance by road from Lands End, that goes to Duncansby Head.

 

[alex397]

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?)

Perhaps not considered part of the Royal Mile, but I was talking about the view from the castle. I guess I meant the Royal Mile as an area rather than the actual streets.

 

[Trackman]

Perhaps not considered part of the Royal Mile, but I was talking about the view from the castle. I guess I meant the Royal Mile as an area rather than the actual streets.

I would say it is part of The Royal Mile, likewise Holyrood Palace.

 

[Busaholic]

Just like John O’Groats isn’t the most northerly point, that goes to Dunnet Head.

Also John O’Groats isn’t the furthest distance by road from Lands End, that goes to Duncansby Head.

What about the lighthouse on Unst in the Shetland Isles? I've actually been up there, in 1971, and met the lighthouse keepers, soon to be a vanishing species.

On the subject of dumps, as an exiled Londoner I'd nominate dreary Buck House anyday. Such an opportunity to create a magnificent building, and they build something that looks like a barracks-cum-asylum with a fifth grade 'grand' balcony. I used to get so embarassed taking visitors there, particularly through dreary Green Park, by far the worst of the Central London parks.

 

[adc82140]

Bournemouth. I have no idea why anyone would make the effort to go there. Bog all parking, traffic queues, brawling drunkards on the seafront at lunchtime on a Saturday, and just so overcrowded. Southbourne just along the coast is so much nicer.

 

[Bevan Price]

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.

A problem with Southport is that sometimes, you can walk to the end of the pier (tram service currently not operating) - and if you are lucky, you can just see the sea in the distance.

 

[1D54]

A problem with Southport is that sometimes, you can walk to the end of the pier (tram service currently not operating) - and if you are lucky, you can just see the sea in the distance.

Did a day trip to Southport last year and can concur with the above. We got back on a Merseyrail service and a lighted at Freshfields then went to the beautiful Formby Beach instead.

 

[nw1]

Stonehenge is over-commercialised and very expensive.

It's an ancient monument, not a theme park. At one point (EDIT: apparently a long time ago, before 1901) it was free and simply there, in the middle of open countryside.

When I first visited (early 90s) it was already a paid-for attraction but was still quite small-scale.

Now it's become a massive closed off area with, if I remember right, a £10+ entrance fee last time I was there (2016).

They should have just left it as stones in the countryside, as it was: similar to how Avebury stone circle is just on public land.

Also visited Land's End in 1995 and even then it seemed over-commercialised. Again, should have just been left as open countryside. Favourite stretch of the Cornish coast (that I've visited) is the part between Padstow and Tintagel.

At the opposite extreme, I visited the stretch of Worcestershire between Malvern and Ludlow in 1998, centred on the Teme Valley. Very beautiful and unspoilt, and even today few know of it, I suspect.

Only problem was that the footpaths were an utter nightmare - no-one seemed to be maintaining them and I was frequently blocked by barbed wire and over-growth. Maybe this has improved since as I do know a lot of effort was spent on fixing rights of way in the Blair years.

Lands End isn’t the southernmost tip of Great Britain, nor is it the westernmost (that honour going to the Point of Ardnamurchan in Scotland).

Incidentally I wonder how much tourism Ardnamurchan gets?

 

[Trackman]

A problem with Southport is that sometimes, you can walk to the end of the pier (tram service currently not operating) - and if you are lucky, you can just see the sea in the distance.

Yes, but it's the seaside! Took my old MK2 Escort on the beach in the mid 80s, no charge, was a challenge to see the sea. I imagine those days of taking a vehicle and driving it on the beach there are well over.
As for the pier railway, actually red penned a Western miniature on that! Must have been in the 1970's - and it definitely looked liked a class 52. Google doesn't throw up any images about it, though.

 

[Ediswan]

Stonehenge is over-commercialised and very expensive.

It's an ancient monument, not a theme park. At one point (80s, I believe) it was free and simply there, in the middle of open countryside.

By the time I first visited (early 90s) it was already a paid-for attraction but was still quite small-scale.

Now it's become a massive closed off area with, if I remember right, a £10+ entrance fee last time I was there (2016).

I have my own verging-on-conspiracy theory that the real reason for the proposed tunnel is to prevent people getting a free view from the A303.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Stonehenge is over-commercialised and very expensive.

It's an ancient monument, not a theme park. At one point (80s, I believe) it was free and simply there, in the middle of open countryside.

By the time I first visited (early 90s) it was already a paid-for attraction but was still quite small-scale.

Now it's become a massive closed off area with, if I remember right, a £10+ entrance fee last time I was there (2016).

Think English Heritage are asking something like £25+ now.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There are several "attractions" that I'm astonished that anyone would willingly pay an exorbitant fee to experience...

Buckingham Palace tours, and the Hyde Park "Winter Wonderland" Xmas event being at the top of the list.

 

[SteveM70]

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.

And the "beach"

 

[dangie]

For all of us living in the British Isles it’s easy for us to knock tourist hotspots. We can visit them anytime. However for foreign tourists it’s maybe a once in a lifetime holiday. For that we in the British Isles should be grateful they want to come.

Conversley a few years ago I fulfilled an ambition of going to New York. A city I’ve wanted to visit for many years. Let’s just say I was totally disappointed. I certainly don’t wish to visit again.

 

[nr758123]

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.

The first and only time I have been to Southport, I must have been about six years old, so that would have been more than 50 years ago. We travelled on a slow train from Victoria, stopping for an inordinate length of time in a post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland which I now know to have been Wigan.

I'm told the sea is still a long way away, but there is now a splendid Museum of Lawnmowers. I think a day out in Southport combined with the Antony Gormley sculptures on Crosby Beach may be called for.

 

[gswindale]

Well you did

If you think Lands End is bad, try its opposite number John O’Groats. Less tourists than Lands End but even more dismal, usually with hurricane winds and lashing rain.

Many years ago I cycled the ‘End to End’. My last day was from Wick. Reached John O’Groats. What a desolate place. Even the cafe & hotel was closed. I had my picture taken and headed straight back to Wick.

I don’t know what it’s like nowadays, but it’ll probably still be cold & windy & wet.

John O Groats is infinitely preferable to Lands End. Reasonable car parking (pay by phone was cheaper than the machine a couple of years ago). No admission charges so free to take photos with the sign if you so wish.

Also a handy stopping point if you wish to visit Orkney with their much more impressive (than Stonehenge) selection of neolithic monuments.

Lands End on the other hand is a totally over commercialised waste of space and from my experience also has worse weather than JOG! ( both locations visited in a September)

 

[spyinthesky]

I have my own verging-on-conspiracy theory that the real reason for the proposed tunnel is to prevent people getting a free view from the A303.

Unfortunately this turns the single lane carriageway into no more than a car park in summer. Can’t wait for the tunnel.

 

[HullRailMan]

Fully agree with comments about Brighton. My last few visits there have been completely underwhelming. Eastbourne is much more pleasant.

I don’t like places when they get so busy that the charm that attracted you there is completely ruined. Whitby in the summer, for example, is a nightmare, especially when it’s full of bikers. Much nicer in the winter when it’s cold but quiet. York is another one - going there in December with the very squashed in Christmas market isn’t fun.