Uk towns that have been a (surprise) let down to you

[Profpointy]

I remember from my student days that Stratford was the go-to place for a decent pub crawl.

To be fair it does have some decent pubs, and is pleasant enough particularly by the river, but I'd still argue not worth a special trip eg if coming to the UK from the US or whatever

if you're out for a pub-crawl you've likely not come far. Where were you a student?

 

[BrumJim]

To be fair it does have some decent pubs, and is pleasant enough particularly by the river, but I'd still argue not worth a special trip eg if coming to the UK from the US or whatever

if you're out for a pub-crawl you've likely not come far. Where were you a student?

Birmingham.

I've spent some lovely days in Stratford, but yes, very much based around the river.

 

[Profpointy]

Birmingham.

I've spent some lovely days in Stratford, but yes, very much based around the river.

To be fair Birmigham is a bit of a dump, albeit I concede it's nicer that in once was.

 

[BrumJim]

To be fair Birmigham is a bit of a dump, albeit I concede it's nicer that in once was.

 

[Johnsop99]

Hopefully Westward Ho! isn't as bad as that - it's such a great name, it can't possibly live upto it ...

(I'm sure that "Westward Ho! Massive Letdown" is a fine song.)

We've got friends at Westward Ho! They spend most of their time visiting us in Bude!

 

[mjr]

Point of order:

This is supposed to be about SURPRISE let downs... Was anybody REALLY surprised that some of those towns were a bit grotty?

Nuneaton. Quite a bit of history there so I looked forward to a day trip visiting it, but it looked like an utter shoot hole with homicidally bad cycle lanes as the only obvious route for bikes banned from the bland-looking chain store anytown centre.

Thetford. Like Nuneaton, it should be a historic market town, but 1970s planners did an even bigger jobbie on the shopping centre, there's no bike lanes at all north or east and route signs direct you to ride through no-entries where council officers roam to fine riders and it's been like that for farking years.

 

[mjr]

Rugby. Thought it would be a lovely and picturesque historic town. Its not.

But there again, I was only there because of the large industrial site (GEC) that undoubtedly has a bigger influence on the town than a small Public school

The best bit is the scenic ride to Draycote water. The old railway viaduct you can ride over is fairly fun but not worth the trip itself. The town itself seems very industrial.

 

[mjr]

When I lived in Cambridge I went and visited Lincoln with the intention of staying overnight.

After the superb cathedral we wandered around the town For an hour or so. Back to Cambridge it was.

A. Not a town. B. How did you miss the castle???

The university area isn't bad but could be anywhere. To be fair, most of my visits to Lincoln have been for bike races or Christmas markets. Nothing much to draw me there from Norfolk, let alone Cambridge.

 

[T4tomo]

Didn't you like East Boldon then?

Only drove through it on way to lunch at the somewhat bonkers Black Horse. I imagine West Boldon is the posh bit though

 

[BoldonLad]

Only drove through it on way to lunch at the somewhat bonkers Black Horse. I imagine West Boldon is the posh bit though

East / West Boldon fairly evenly balanced in the “Posh” stakes. Boldon Colliery is the commoners area. Black Horse usually has some unusual eating options, but, Mrs @BoldonLad likes “plain”, so, we seldom eat there.

 

[PaulB]

For me, the biggest let-down of all the towns in the UK I looked forward to visiting is Alston in Cumbria. I was doing a Coast-to-Coast 2-dayer by bike and Alston was my stopover town. I got there tired and hungry but found nothing of any help to me. The guest-house I found didn't do food, all the shops were shut so it was the only open pub with food on - and that was garbage. Only gassy lager and greasy food on a very poor menu. I left as soon as I could next day and vowed never to return there again, attractive as it looks when traveling through.

 

[Jameshow]

Westwood Ho! What a let down. I've never actually been myself, I'm quoting a song title from the ever-reliable Half Man Half Biscuit, Britain's finest touring/recording band.

Westward ho is probably one place that's on the up! Lots of new apartments nice pizza place and pubs.

Still got the amusements pirate crazy golf and naff go karts that needs to go.

 

[Rusty Nails]

It's only a surprise that it's so bad because they've been promising so much about the new develolments there, but Newport...the Gwent one...is still a dump.

The Germans bombed it in WW2 and caused £20million improvements.

 

[Dave 123]

Westward ho is probably one place that's on the up! Lots of new apartments nice pizza place and pubs.

Still got the amusements pirate crazy golf and naff go karts that needs to go.

View: https://youtu.be/6ouZnRusfc8

 

[Cycleops]

Take your pick from this lot:


View: https://youtu.be/zJFXpJ50JwU