Am I the only person who has never been to London?

[MamaCrazy]

I live in central England. I have never been to London. I have also never been to Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Am I the only person to have never been to any of these big cities? By going to them, I mean actually parking and going into the city centres. I have been to Birmingham New Street Station to switch trains.

To me London= pigeons, dirt and crowds. I have zero desire to visit.

I’ve been to the other cities you’ve mentioned, Edinburgh is my favourite.

I have only been to Manchester airport for a connecting flight, not the city itself. No disrespect to Manchester but It's hardly a tourist destination in the way Edinburgh or London is.

I can't imagine anyone seeing Glasgow as a tourist destination either so unless you are already in central Scotland I would not see Glasgow as a "must see" I have been once to Birmingham for a concert by an artist I'm fanatical about.

Where do you go?

I can't imagine reaching adulthood and not visiting the main centres of the country I live in.

I'm from the other side of the world, and have been to all the cities you've mentioned, except Glasgow.

I can't imagine not wanting to visit London with its history and culture.

I find that odd tbh. Ive been to all of them, but am near London so maybe it just seems normal. My favourite is London, its endlessly fascinating. And not as dirty as Paris or Barcelona.

@Fissionchips - exactly, I imagine all big cities are the same. Not something I have any interest in being amongst!

I shop in my local towns. Day trips are to the coast or country side.

I find it odd not to want to visit our country's main cities.

I'm in Scotland and our main holiday this year is two weeks in London. We went two years back and all loved it. So much to see, do and experience.

Edinburgh i lived in for a number of years, it's beautiful. The royal mile, the old town, the new town, leith. So much to see and do.

Glasgow, while not as pretty perhaps as Edinburgh has so much culture. My favourite city of all.

Manchester I've been to but not really had time to explore. Likewise Birmingham.

We go abroad most years to different places and mostly enjoy our holidays. But I still love visiting different places here. York, Brighton, Torquay, St. Andrews, aviemore. So many places.

Just as well we bought a caravan to explore.

I can't imagine not wanting to visit London with its history and culture

Much as I love London I can imagine other people have other interests for places to visit.

So far as Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham I have some difficultly imaging why anyone, other than local people for whom these are their nearest "big city", would see these as "desrinations"

I've been to Birmingham NEC for a one day
onference/event so didn't see the city at all. I only live 2 hours away but have never wanted to go there. Why would I? Ive been to all the other cities mentioned

We live an hour from London and go regularly. It has the best museums, art galleries etc in the country. But if you're not interested in those things then maybe it doesn't appeal?

Been to London many times.
There is such a lot to do there.
Glasgow once - very modern, the bit I saw.
Manchester airport.
Edinburgh and Birmingham railway station.
But holiday in York last year was fantastic!
Beautiful place.

The first time my husbands grandparents visited London was for our wedding, it was also the last.

There's no reason why you should though you have missed out on certain experiences that you can only do in London of course (we are big theatre fans and the stuff that tours to our city just isn't the same as the west end and the quality of classical concerts is better in London (or Birmingham actually).

Don't worry your choice but maybe you should consider a couple of nights in London, you might love it. I'm a Londoner but couldn't live there, too crowded, too expensive but for two nights a year we spoil ourselves!

I dont like visiting cities. Im a rural girl. But we’re thinking of taking the kids to London this summer. Just do they can see the sights.

Love London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Not really seen much of the other 2. I live in South Wales and would gladly spend several weeks exploring either of these 3, and I'd give the other 2 a go also.

Just because I like living fairly rurally doesn't mean I can't appreciate what cities have to offer.

I can't imagine reaching adulthood and not visiting the main centres of the country I live in.

I love London, I go several times a year, can't imagine never having gone to our capital city! There's so much to see and do and I don't know where people get the "dirty" from (maybe if you just go up Oxford Street)

I think apart from Edinburgh, which is on my list for this year, I've been to most of the major cities
but then I am a city person, even though I live in a rural town.

I haven't been to Manchester other than to change trains. I live near to London so go a few times a year. I went more when I was younger to gigs and to shop. The other cities I visited as a student mainly to see friends at other unisvfor nights out or for work. Scotland for weddings, holidays and family get together. I can see that if you don't like cities or culture or have friends and family there then you wouldn't have visited them.

Have you seen a lot of the coast and countryside or do you tend to visit the same spots? My dhs family visited the same area every year on holiday which I never understand although each to their own. The world would be dull if we were all alike!

Manchester & Birmingham are pretty much the same, both large English Cities. If someone was visiting and only had a short time, I'd suggest London, Edinburgh, Cardiff & Belfast to get an idea of the 4 different countries & cultures.

Up until 3 years ago DH had never been to London. He only visited then because I was running the London Marathon and he says he has no desire to ever go back!

I've not been to any either,only Manchester station to change trains,I live in south Wales.My sister been to London (hated it) and Edinburgh (loved it)

Steady on, Margarita! I grew up in the country but I have lived in central London for the last 30 years, and I've been to Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham and had an excellent time! I've been to lots of cities and towns around the UK, and they're all worth a visit. DP and I going to Colchester for a weekend break next month, to see the castle and the museums and go for a long walk along the coast, we're really looking forward to it.

OP, do I detect a little bit of smugness in your tone? You almost sound proud of not travelling outside your local area.

Many people dont travel. I bet many people have never visited York but that’s our ancient capital but there you go!

I find it strange why you wouldn't want to visit London but maybe you aren't interested in the museums. That's the reason I visit London, to wander around the British museum, Victoria and Albert, Natural History and Science museum and sneak in a view from the London eye etc. Obviously then I mooch about the other areas.

I don't visit cities just because they are a city. It has to offer places that interest me.

And having spent a fortune paying to go in similar museums abroad I am always very grateful that most museums in London are free.

Where have you been in the uk op? Have you been to any cities at all?

all big cities are the same

Well, I think we can tell that you've never been anywhere...

So you go to big cities abroad OP?