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.

I agree with Warwick Castle being disappointing. We’ve foolishly tried it a couple of times as like going to Ettington Park and couldn’t believe it should be so bad.

Venice. Like disney had got hold of medieval europe. And I caught bloody whooping cough while I was there. never again!

Hastings has gone steadily downhill in the past few years and I think the quirky vintage/hippy shops in the Old Town part have disappeared from what you say.

The town centre where the Iceland was, was always a bit rubbish but at least it had Debenhams.

The amusements part has always been a bit tacky and run down but kept on going.

Last time I was there I think was 5 years ago and we did a trip to a Fishing Museum (?) near the Old Town fishing part and had cocktails at a hotel on the front and I think dinner there too. We explored the Old Town too and some of the vintage/quirky shops were open, we also did the funicular and cliffs.

My stepdad had a seaside front holiday flat in St Leonard’s in the 1990s before it was sold so I know how Hastings’ fortunes can go up and down.

Yes, Nice in the south of France. The dog foul all over the streets was out of this world and really off putting. I ended up looking at the floor most of the time rather than looking at the sites 😣

Ottawa. I dare say it's a nice enough place to live, but there's absolutely fuck all there.

Used to go to Yeovil for a day of shopping many years ago! As a child, with my mum. Littlewoods restaurant for a cheap breakfast, Burger King for lunch and a look round Denners and Woolworths!
As a teen on the bus when they had a Topshop, Tammy Girl, Miss Selfridge and a bug Primark!
I imagine it's very different these days and the top of town must be pretty dead.

Siena was a breath of fresh air from touristy, overcrowded Florence, which is why we happily stayed there next time (me and ex SO). I think a few Sienans must have Florence tourists over spill in raptures about the peace and quiet.

Bristol, specifically the balloon fiesta. It's a great city if you a student or are in you 20s . Not so great when you're old like me, DH has a vast habit of taking me on pub crawls.
Penzance went there on a bank holiday and it was closed, literally nothing open an we ended up skimming stones in Newlyn harbour. It was better in January this year though.

Barcelona. We were on a cruise (DH working) and spent 5 hours dashing from gallery to gallery in a taxi. And I thought 'it's just like any other city'.

Couple of years later, I went again because DS moved there. And I went again and again and realised it's a wonderful place. Probably my favourite place in the world and I wept when he moved to Germany. My point is, anywhere can seem grim on the wrong day for whatever reason. Personally, I found Bridgetown Barbados very depressing. But it was pouring with rain, the streets were flooding and we couldn't find a good restaurant for lunch. Another day, I might have loved it.

I’ve done Barcelona a few times and was slightly underwhelmed the first one, but the second or third time I went with extended family and we saw/stayed in different districts (Plaza Catalunya and Montjuic but I also stayed a 30 minute walk from PC and had lovely walks to the centre) and visited almost every museum, art gallery and Gaudi house and really got a feel for the area and the local people including watching open air cinema screenings in squares with Barcelonans, plus the live music. It doesn’t really have a lot though in the way of museums and art galleries from what I recall if you like that, but I could be wrong.

I live near yeovil , its my nearest decent shopping place ( 3 miles to nearest shop ) its got an amazing park called 9 springs but that really is the best it has to offer lol , it's very widespread too so the high street does come across quiet /ghost town but there are shopping outlets in other parts of the town , Sherborne a few miles further is better , quaint and has the Abbey and 2 castles
I'm shocked at people saying Bath though, it's beautiful and so much to see, Each to their own though.
I'm still trying to think of somewhere I was disappointed with lol

Newcastle. Never again. I found it just dull and couldn’t wait to leave.

Us too, we had timed entrance tickets so expected busy but manageable. We could hardly move and our small children were jostled and couldn't see. I had always wanted to go too. Left feeling stressed!

Denners was exciting because it had a lift! The thrill of that. When I was little Denners was the official shop to by the material for your school summer dress. Not the dress, the material, the expectation was that your mum would make your dress!
Then off for lunch at Poppins.

Eden Project. There were so many people during the summer holidays. Not relaxing at all. I queued for 1.5 hours for food, which was pasties (we don't even like them) and coffee because the queue was even longer at the pizza place.

This is such a depressing thread. So many criticisms from people who seem to want instant gratification. Forget the paid for attractions for the moment, but consider the towns and cities that are under attack - these are home and work to most of us, they are not simply there for other people’s entertainment. Think about the geography, the history, the economics of places and try to understand more about what you are seeing.
Today I was in Edinburgh, had a coffee in an independent cafe on Leith walk whose custom has suffered over recent years, not only from Covid restrictions but also from long term disruption due to tram works. I have nothing but admiration for business owners who have been so tenacious and resilient and still offer a quality service.
Nearby Calton Hill offers stunning views to the castle, to Arthur’s Seat and the crags, to Fife. For those of you slagging off Edinburgh due to the odd drunk, please look further. This city, and so many others, has so much to offer, but we all need to realise that travel, and enjoyment of destination, requires a little more understanding.

OMG that's fighting talk.

I bloody love that place and can spend hours there. I used to work along from it and would go there whenever I felt down or uninspired. There's always something amazing to look at. Even my grumpy teens love it. And the location is wonderful.

The shop sells brilliant books for children too. All the favourite childhood books that my teens still talk about came from there.

I love a day out, even to somewhere a bit shit because it's a day of something different. And I'll take as much variety in my life as possible...

That's disappointing. I visited recently and really liked it. The hotel staff were very welcoming and the concierge was extremely helpful - he provided us with a comprehensive list of good places to eat. Staff in shops and cafes were also very friendly. I went to the baths and had no issues at all. I guess we all just get a snapshot when we visit and it colours our view.

I always wanted to visit there because of the history

I don't get the hard for Oxford we go regularly, mainly to eat at the Chiang Mai, the best Thai we've been to.

I've not seen Weston-super-Mare mentioned, yes it has a great beach unless the tide is in or out. The town centre is grotty too many empty shops.

Yeah, but have you been to Yeovil?

User1485etc.....you are wrong. There are many wonderful galleries in Barcelona. Even when you've done the obvious ones like the Picasso (where the temporary exhibitions are great), the Miro and the huge city gallery above the fountains, MACBA is sensational, as is the Gallery of Contemporary Catalan Art. I can't wait to go back.

Warwick Castle has been ruined as a day out
if you visited it 20 ago before they Disney-field it, I think you’d have loved it.
Totally spoilt and overpriced now.

Seconded; went for a wedding. It was very rough, very commercial, and the most 'posey' place I have ever visited. Utterly charmless.