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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is it just me . . . does anyone else think places don't seem as packed as usual this summer holidays?

23 replies

BalloonSlayer · 04/08/2014 14:28

Went to the seaside last Sunday, loads of parking, beach got crowded later but generally really quiet.

Theme park last Friday, got there early but a Friday in the summer hols? Was expecting it to be heaving. Was v quiet, didn't queue much more than 10 minutes. We left early and one of the car parks was empty.

Busy shopping town today. Arrived close to lunchtime, normally horrible to park, no trouble at all.

Could this be something to do with the "no holidays in termtime" rules, are more people on holiday?

Anyone else noticed or have I just been lucky?

OP posts:
PandaNot · 04/08/2014 14:31

I've noticed this too. It's making life much easier!

DarylDixonsDarlin · 04/08/2014 14:32

Probably depends where you are in the UK?

I'm in Cornwall, and last week you couldn't move for people in some areas. Today, so far, not as bad but i was out earlier than usual!

ShatnersBassoon · 04/08/2014 14:32

It's possibly because lots of families have less cash to spend on days out.

Stinkle · 04/08/2014 14:36

I suppose it depends where you are

I'm in a very touristy area, I can't move for holiday makers at the moment. It's busier this year that it has been in previous years.

We've also got a big local event going on this week so the place is rammed.

Original poster
BalloonSlayer · 04/08/2014 14:39

Yes maybe it is less cash. Also perhaps because the weather is good people are happy to stay in their back gardens,

OP posts:
Ronmione · 04/08/2014 15:06

Which theme park did you go to with no queues?
I've found the free places ( parks ) very busy, so I'd say it was no money

AgentProvocateur · 04/08/2014 15:10

It feels like everyone's been in glasgow for the past fortnight. It's been great, but it was lovely to go for my coffee in a very peaceful cafe Nero this morning, and to get on an empty underground

littlepeas · 04/08/2014 15:21

I live in a town with a very famous landmark/tourist attraction and it is BUSY. I think it depends where you are.

OutragedFromLeeds · 04/08/2014 15:33

We've noticed this. Went to our local pool, which you normally have to queue for in the holidays and then you only get an hour swim. No queue and unlimited swimming. It was busy, but nowhere near what it's normally like.

Stinkle · 04/08/2014 15:59

Our local pool is empty as well

Our local council has recently removed the free swimming for kids during school holidays concessions. I think a lot of councils are doing the same

At nearly a fiver a head it's too expensive to go very often, especially when the beach is down the road and you can swim for free in the sea.

6031769 · 04/08/2014 16:49

i went to alton towers last tuesday and it was rammed

ToffeeMoon · 04/08/2014 16:53

Yes, I've noticed this. I assumed everyone had gone away right at the start of the school holidays.

EvilStepMam · 04/08/2014 17:26

I guess everyone has come down to Cornwall then!

Tried to go into the bank this morning, couldn't get near Newquay (I know, not necessarily a bad thing).
Dd needed some bits at hobbycraft, traffic solid all the way to Truro.

Still, only another 6 weeks or so of mayhem.

atticusclaw · 04/08/2014 17:28

I'd put money on it being the weather. Ive cancelled some of the activities the DSs were planning on doing since they're really happy just being out in the garden.

chrome100 · 04/08/2014 17:30

I was in Scarborough last weekend and it was heaving

Rissolesfortea · 04/08/2014 17:33

Yes, everyone seems to be here in Cornwall. Not much point trying to have a day out in summer, everywhere is packed with holidaymakers.

SassyPasty · 04/08/2014 17:38

Yup, Cornwall (I'm way down West) is absolutely bleddy heaving!

We be runnin out of pasties dreckly Shock

BrianButterfield · 04/08/2014 17:41

I live at the seaside and it's really busy! I tjink people are holidaying in the uk more this year thanks to the new rules and/or taking more day trips.

MrsWombat · 04/08/2014 17:53

I went to the Science Museum last week expecting it to be rammed and it was just a bit busy. We had no problem finding a seat in the cafe and a short wait for the hands on stuff.

We went to the Natural History Museum in February half term and it was jammed solid by lunch time and there was a massive queue out the door waiting of people waiting to get in. As well as a massive queue indoor for people waiting for the dinosaurs. I was expecting the science museum to be similar but it wasn't.

The regional tourist attraction at the end of my road is rather quiet as well.

millionsofpeaches · 04/08/2014 18:03

It's because they're all stuck in the traffic jams leaving camp bestival. Bumper to bumper for 15 miles. So glad I was going in the opposite direction :-) (smug local, moi?)

ohtheholidays · 04/08/2014 19:20

We've found the same so far,two different theme parks,fruit picking,a wildlife center,swimming(at a usually very popular packed pool)two different large play parks with paddling pools,lunch at a popular local restaurant.None of them have been packed which has been brilliant for us.

wowfudge · 04/08/2014 19:28

Given that the Passport Office has stated there has been extremely high demand for new passports and renewals this year, is not perhaps the case that many more people have gone abroad this year?

appealtakingovermylife · 04/08/2014 19:41

We're near Liverpool which was rammed lately due to a massive attraction called "the giants". I must have been the only local person not to go:)

Went to waterworld in stoke yesterday and the queue was out of the door and round the side of the entrance, had to queue ages for the slides too.

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