Tue. May 14th, 2024
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World’s most complained about tourist attractions including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Palace of Versailles – and three are actually in the UK

The Pyramids of Giza didn't impress everyone on Tripadvisor
The Pyramids of Giza didn’t impress everyone on Tripadvisor

Three of the most complained about tourist attractions in the world are in the UK.

While Britain has a reputation for being a world tourism capital – with 18 million people visiting London alone in 2018 – it turns out some people are leaving feeling a little short changed.

An analysis of more than 80,000 reviews left on Tripadvisor found the most complained about tourist attractions in the world.

At the top of the list is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which a fifth of people judged to be terrible or poor, while the Palace of Versailles garnered the same reaction from 17% of visitors.

In third place, and the UK’s most poorly rated entrant, is Stonehenge.







Big Ben came in for a lot of criticism
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Image:

Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Eight per cent of people who have visited the pre-historic wonder considered it a duff attraction, heaping scorn on monuments which have confounded archaeologists for centuries.

“It’s just a bunch of rocks,” one unhappy tourist blasted.

“I have no idea why anyone would be excited to go to Stonehenge.”

Another raged: “I feel embarrassed as an Englishman in the way that this site is “managed” by English Heritage. Everything is about them making money.

“The car park costs £5 for starters and then to enter the site it’s £24.95 for an adult.”

Others went in hard on the site’s dog policy – which has hounds banned from certain areas – and the cleanliness of the cafe.







Stonehenge also came into the firing line
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Image:

Adam Stanford / SWNS)

The iconic “bunch of rocks” were followed in the rankings by the Hollywood Sign in fourth place and Big Ben in fifth.

Five percent of all people who visit the Elizabeth Tower and its famously named bell consider it a “terrible” landmark.

A lot of the bad reviews came when the tower was under a period of construction which saw its side covered in scaffolding and plastic sheets.

“I spent £27 for a taxi to visit that tower, but he doesn’t tell me that the tower was closed,” one disappointed tourist griped.

“It’s not that big,” another noted.







The Empire State Building also had its detractors
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Image:

Getty Images/iStockphoto)

While there are plenty of Debbie Downers among visitors to Big Ben, the vast majority of people praised the iconic tower and gifted it five stars.

The White House, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Empire State Building, Pyramids of Giza and Buckingham Palace make up the remainder of the top ten.

For 3% of the nearly 30,000 reviewers of Her Majesty’s official residence, the palace is not up to scratch.

“Waste of money,” one person griped.

“Most of the garden roped off, extra to see the rose garden. I would not recommend this experience, more time is spent in the queue getting through security!”

Another added: “This should be a zero rating. It cost £16.50 just to walk around the lawn. Most of the garden is cordoned off and I would say the garden is shabby at best.”

What do you think? Are Britain’s tourist highlights being unfairly treated? Tell us in the comments below.

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