Page 39 | Ever visited somewhere for the day and been really disappointed?

Summerhouse2013 · 2023-04-24T10:33:45+00:00

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.

crimsonpeak · 26/04/2023 15:07

Softoprider · 24/04/2023 12:51

We visited 'The Deep' in Hull at Easter.

Oh dear. It stank of fish and stale sweat from the masses of dirty unwashed scruffy people. We had to visit the toilets to keep washing our hands. Some of the exhibits were interactive and grubby would be an understatement.
The penguin pool was small and horrid. The cafe .. oh my days.. I gipped when we walked past. The slop they served on that day was apparently Lasagne. Families were sitting tucking into plates of it. The smell was something I will never forget.

I know it was a sea attraction but why did it have to smell as bad as that?

There were times when I walked past people who smelled so bad of sweat I thought they were doing it on purpose.
The shop was OK though

The Deep is awful. I totally empathise with you!

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 15:10

I enjoyed The Deep, but it is over priced.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 26/04/2023 15:11

crimsonpeak · 26/04/2023 15:07

The Deep is awful. I totally empathise with you!

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I worked as PA to the architects for this building and knew the main architect. Not saying much more but often the case they design lovely looking buildings with not much thought other than it being aesthetically pleasing.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 26/04/2023 15:22

LaDamaDeElche · 26/04/2023 07:12

Chester is lovely!

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I loved Chester! Only did the main shopping part (medieval shops?!) and zoo as was staying with half sister who abandoned me half way through my stay.

Manchester I quite liked but it poured with rain which is never appealing (see also Dublin and Sligo/Knock - both at airports).

I’ve known both the later places for years through friends and family and as long as you realise eg Book of Kells is a queue fest etc then you’ll be grand! I had a great tour guide for Dublin at age 20 in form of an older friend of the family who showed me the tourist parts (Floozie in the Jacuzzi!) as well as hidden parts and I vaguely recalled visiting it 80s and seeing Phoenix Park, the shopping centre where the Tart with the cart is and parts of Dublin I thought were very pretty with canals like Amsterdam. We did stay and visit visit Bray, Wicklow mountains, forty foot, and that coastline is stunning!

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 15:32

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 14:18

@Cariadm I suspect most people would have enjoyed the Eden Project if it was a lot cheaper. It is a huge entrance fee and what you get is disappointing after that.

Sorry, but if, especially after a first visit, someone comments that the Eden Project is 'disappointing' it says far more about that person and than it does about the EP and maybe they should stick to theme parks in the future?! 😒

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 15:36

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 14:07

I think there is a big difference between somewhere nice to live and somewhere nice to visit. Where I live is nice to live, it is not a place for tourists. Most people do not like just ambling about a City, especially in British weather. I have shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants where I live, I have zero reason to spend money to amble around somewhere that offers no more than where I live.

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Then you know what, do some research before you go anywhere maybe? You know Google Wikipedia!!! If you then don't think there will be enough to 'entertain' you for more than 5 minutes, DON'T GO THERE!!!! 😏

Mostar · 26/04/2023 15:37

Islandgirl68 · 26/04/2023 10:45

Yes was a bit disappointed when went to Torquay, Nice and Cannes. When you are used to the beaches in the outer Hebridies, most other beaches are underwhelming. And Torquay town centre is a bit run down looking.

I was really disappointed with Torquay because I thought we were going to Turkey.

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 15:37

@Cariadm It is very expensive for what you get. I much preferred Lost Gardens of Heligan.

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 15:39

@Cariadm In fairness the first time I went to Dublin was before easy access to the internet. I have been through it since on the way to the rest of Ireland, but don't bother staying there.

FlugelHugel · 26/04/2023 15:42

dittbtdity · 24/04/2023 14:23

Nottingham was really dreary. We had an appointment there during the day and had time to spare before the train home, so we jumped on a tram going to Phoenix Park which sounded lovely but when we got there it was a massive park and ride car park on the edge of town 😂. Also Nottingham Castle had a beer festival going on that day so the castle was closed. And it rained.

Phoenix Park isn't an actual park - it is a business park that also has the park & ride. It's right on the outskirts of the city (hence the park & ride). I can appreciate why Nottingham might invite a range of opinions, positive and negative, but I should imagine most park & ride sites aren't worth a special visit.

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 15:44

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 15:39

@Cariadm In fairness the first time I went to Dublin was before easy access to the internet. I have been through it since on the way to the rest of Ireland, but don't bother staying there.

Sorry I have never been to Dublin and have not answered a post on it so you have mixed me up with another poster!!

ReadersD1gest · 26/04/2023 15:44

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 15:39

@Cariadm In fairness the first time I went to Dublin was before easy access to the internet. I have been through it since on the way to the rest of Ireland, but don't bother staying there.

It's probably changed somewhat since then.

CheckingOutandIn · 26/04/2023 15:46

A small town with a plethora of woo shops is exactly how I'd imagine Glastonbury to be.

mewkins · 26/04/2023 15:51

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 15:32

Sorry, but if, especially after a first visit, someone comments that the Eden Project is 'disappointing' it says far more about that person and than it does about the EP and maybe they should stick to theme parks in the future?! 😒

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I agree. I've been going since it was just a dust bowl and some very small saplings! It's been great to see it take shape. The cost has gone up significantly in that time though. I imagine it would be great as a school trip when it's quiet and you get to work on the school gardens.

AskMeMore · 26/04/2023 15:56

Eden Project cost £100 for us to visit - two adults and two children. It is very expensive.
I personally think Kew Gardens are better and much cheaper.

ItsCalledAConversation · 26/04/2023 15:56

cire · 24/04/2023 12:57

Abersoch

I'd forgotten to wear my burgundy cords and had the audacity to have a small child in a pushchair

Totally agree. I almost had a breakdown spending one night in Abersoch. So many people love it but I found it unfriendly l, dour, bleak and just this dragging sense of doom and hatred. Horrible.

Thame - my grandparents used to live there and I have some lovely memories. But these days it’s full of rich boomers who are offended at the presence of a young family nearby where they are trying to sip their cappuccino. Just the worst kind of NIMBY.

Agree with PPs on Bath - weird geography, a feeling that all the best parties ended 250 years ago and tbh anywhere with that proportion of entitled rich boomers and their braying offspring is going to be a bad place.

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 16:03

lifeissweet · 24/04/2023 12:20

I have heard this from other people, so you are not alone

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Whilst I do agree with you up to a point about the whole 'madness' of being at the Pyramids and it's a great shame that you felt unable to put all that aside and just marvel at the fact that you were at one of the Seven Wonders of the World?! OK the whole tourist 'circus' surrounding the area including the Sphinx, is 'in your face' and constant but bearing in mind that most of those you call 'scammers' are probably locals just trying to make a living in possibly the only way available to them? I am curious to know just what you expected? Peace and serenity and that there would just be a few folks wandering around with the odd camel here and there? Seriously?! We went on a mini cruise to Egypt from Cyprus a few years ago and opted to see the Pyramids, why on earth wouldn't we! We rode camels which absolutely TERRIFIED me but I wouldn't have missed the opportunity for the world! Did you actually go into the Great Pyramid? WOW! It was overwhelming, claustrophobic and airless and I wanted to go out as soon as I was in there but again, the knowledge that I have been inside one of the greatest structures on earth still amazes me to this day!! Sometimes you just have to go with the flow, try to see beyond the 'irritations' and not let them spoil what you came for?! 🙂

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 16:18

KnickerlessParsons · 24/04/2023 12:19

Aberystwyth and Dublin.
Also, looking further afield, Barbados.

I have never been to Dublin so cannot comment but when I was in Aberystwyth it was just a little market town in Wales so not quite sure what your were expecting or why you would be 'disappointed' with it?! HOWEVER...First weirdly someone said they found Paris disappointing 😳now out of all the other places in the world I would have expected to maybe be mentioned you are saying that you found Barbados wanting...BARBADOS?!!! Frankly I don't know where to start as I rate my 2 holidays on that amazing and beautiful, friendly, diverse and soooooooo very interesting CARIBBEAN island as one of my very best experiences and believe me, I've had many others and travelled a lot!! I'm sorry but I find it incredible that you didn't find the culture and spectacular scenery, the beaches and ocean, the music and nightlife (great Reggae everywhere!) the food, the wonderful horticulture, the friendly people, the climate and just the general ambience of the place simply overwhelming as both myself and husband did...we would go again in a heartbeat if we could afford it!!! Perhaps you went on an 'all inclusive' and didn't go off the complex? Your loss then...🙄

kittiittie · 26/04/2023 16:19

Justaflippertyjibbet · 26/04/2023 13:20

Seaton Carew. I thought it sounded so lovely.

I shouldn't laugh at this but I will! Luckily there are quite a few lovely beaches either side of seaton Carew that make for a nice walk

Crikeyalmighty · 26/04/2023 16:20

@Cariadm Barbados- if anyone finds that disappointing they are in for many disappointments in life.

Crikeyalmighty · 26/04/2023 16:30

@AskMeMore Actually I do agree on Liverpool- that's one city we sometimes do weekend breaks too- I love it, and yes it has 'lots to do' lots going on - I think the thing is lots of people have mentioned what are essentially 'big towns' and they rarely have an absolute ton of stuff that as you say you can't get on your doorstep. Mind you we do have the culture festival starting here in 20 days or so which is always good and a good book festival too. You are right about preferring rambling in countryside- I like that too and it is one of the really good things about living here. Proper lovely countryside too .

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 16:30

ZittiEBuoni · 24/04/2023 12:33

Land's End can drop off into the sea as far as I'm concerned. Tacky and boring.

I'm amused by the idea of a day trip to Yeovil though . Neighbouring Sherborne is a lovely little place but also dead as a doornail on Sundays. Maybe it's some local by-law?

What out of interest did you expect to see at Lands End? A theme park maybe? Leaving aside what touristy stuff there is there these days it's still absolutely SPECTACULAR and just fun to have a photo by the famous signpost...honestly I despair at some of the simply ridiculously illogical expectations and comments shown on many of these posts and most say more about the mindset of the posters themselves than about the places they're 'disappointed' in!!! 🙄

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 16:34

Crikeyalmighty · 26/04/2023 16:20

@Cariadm Barbados- if anyone finds that disappointing they are in for many disappointments in life.

Yes you're absolutely right on that score...I was UTTERLY gobsmacked when I saw that someone was disappointed by Barbados!!!!! 😱

mewkins · 26/04/2023 16:36

Cariadm · 26/04/2023 16:30

What out of interest did you expect to see at Lands End? A theme park maybe? Leaving aside what touristy stuff there is there these days it's still absolutely SPECTACULAR and just fun to have a photo by the famous signpost...honestly I despair at some of the simply ridiculously illogical expectations and comments shown on many of these posts and most say more about the mindset of the posters themselves than about the places they're 'disappointed' in!!! 🙄

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Agree - there's a disappointing food offering and parking is a bit pricey there but the actual scenery is beautiful. Lizard Point also beautiful.

Mostar · 26/04/2023 16:36

Never mind the Pyramids, you should see the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Actually, no, you shouldn't. The whole place is basically a crap version of Kew Gardens with long queues, some dead-looking shrubs and a few lousy water features. Not only that, but the cafe was noisy and horrible and waaay overpriced. I complained about my biscuit being stale and a bloke chased us away with a big stick. Seriously, it's Yeovil for me next year.