Ever visited somewhere for the day and been really disappointed?

[Summerhouse2013]

We travelled to Yeovil in Somerset yesterday for the day, wow, we were so disappointed.

It was like a ghost town. Most of the shops were shut, only a handful were open. And towards the bottom area of the town most of the shops were completely closed down.

I'd always got the impression there was a lot more to Yeovil.

We left after an hour as there was nothing to do.

@Treesandsheepeverywhere ummm what were your expectations?? I wouldn't say Strichen would ever be on anyone's "day out" list of places to go it's hardly even a place.

Durham would be the only fair compromise.

Before Abersoch gets ideas above its station, it needs to remember that it's in Wales.

Loved Amsterdam- went July 2019
Has it changed so much?
Beautiful buildings - didn't go near the red light district though

I came to say this! It is commonly known as Yeovile. The bottom of town is particularly awful.

Agreed. Definitely check out the Covered Market and go down all the avenues. But on the other hand, with all the tourists, the centre can be so very very crowded. Seek out the less crowded areas!

100% agree on Morecambe.

My Husband and I went there for a drive last year, stayed for about half an hour and came home.

Grim

The thing about Bath is it's beautiful, and also has a rep as a greAt shopping destination. I'd say that ten years ago that would have been true. Last time I went though I was thoroughly disappointed by the shops. The beauty is still there though. Imo!

Yeovil strikes me as an off choice for a day out. It's definitely been bypassed as other parts of Somerset have gotten trendified. And to that extent I don't think it's ever pretended to be a destination.

I once took my brother to a seaside town we used to go to as children. He has AS and doesn't normally agree to go anywhere so I was thrilled he was excited about it and we planned it to a tee-got goodies, pulled out some ads and off we went. Got there three hours and a fun road trip later int he blazing sun, went to get an ice cream and the shop we knew had closed down. Found a shop, went onto the beach and it was deserted. The pub had gotten rid of the games room and there were new estates everywhere. I was (not being over dramatic here) broken-hearted. Brother was a dude (as always about it), said the trip was cool and we don't usually get to the beach but we might not go back again if it was okay with me. Sigh.

Agree re. Brighton. It's the seaside but without the perks of normal seaside stuff (a beach you don't want to sit on, uninviting sea etc) plus a bit grubby and nightmare to park in.

I went to Barcelona for a weekend after reading 'Shadow Of The Wind". It was covered in graffiti and smelled of piss. Massive let down.

I would have to agree with you on this one, sadly.

The Isle of Wight is just awful. Have been twice (not through choice). The best bit was the ferry ride back.

Also Caernarfon, which ought to have been lovely, but was somehow soulless and a bit bleak.

Bit of a generalisation but i didn’t like holidaying in Ireland. Everyone was like “it’s sooo friendly, amazing craic, wonderful scenery” etc etc.
There were no women in the pubs, people in shops didn’t speak when they served us, sightseeing involved masses of driving, most restaurants only open on weekends, everything had a grim ‘70s vibe, scenery wasn’t any better than Wales. Plus the first thing we saw when we landed was a giant rat. it was quite a few years ago now so should really give it a second chance.
Other underwhelming place was Cheltenham. I thought it was going to be full of well-heeled Jilly Cooper characters living in posh townhouses but it was pretty meh.
On the other hand I love Cambridge, Manchester, Bath, Amsterdam. Paris would be lovely if you could remove the graffiti and weirdos.

I went to Barcelona for a weekend after reading 'Shadow Of The Wind". It was covered in graffiti and smelled of piss. Massive let down.

Barcelona is my favourite city in the whole world. For some reason I don't mind the smell of piss. Paris is particularly invigorating on that front. I just think of it as free smelling salts when I'm flagging on the sightseeing front.

No women in pubs, restaurants only open on weekends.. Was this in 1952?

I’m not a huge Barcelona fan either - so many fag butts on the beach.

Venice. Far too touristy (not sure why I was surprised by that really!) and had the distinct undertones of being an environmental disaster, despite their best efforts.

Glad it was only a short break, but I struggle not to sound like the killer of dreams when people ask me about it.

Try Sherborne, over the county boundary into Dorset. Much nicer than Yeovil.

Venice is smelly and the carnival is the stuff of nightmares.

You've described Hay on Wye perfectly.

My Husband and I went last year as I'm fanatical about books, I couldn't believe I left there having not bought a single one.

It's just horrible scruffy, musty book shops full of crap no one wants. There's nowhere decent to eat and when we did finally find somewhere to have a meal and a drink we felt the 'you're not from round here' vibe.

Absolute crap!

I'm sad reading this, these last years of austerity and then pandemic years, and col crisis is ruining our lovely towns . Will it ever get any better?
I love Cornwall but on a wet April wednesday St Ives does not blow me away.

This is what happens when more and more people shop at Tesco and Amazon. Quite simple really.