LONDON, England, 2022-Dec-22 — /Travel PR News/ — CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, and you might be looking for ways to fill the long week before the new year begins, possibly even planning a visit to one of the UK’s top tourist attractions.
So, how do you decide where you’ll go? Well, aside from traditional word-of-mouth recommendations, you’ll likely look at online reviews to inform your decision.
However, research shows online reviews can significantly impact travel decisions, so negative write-ups through sites like TripAdvisor might put visitors off even making a trip.
My Favourite Cottages analysed a selection of one-star reviews on TripAdvisor for each major UK attraction and fed the most common complaints into an AI generator to visualise how they might look on their worst days.
Here’s what we found…
The Roman Baths
The Roman Baths, constructed between 60-70AD, are of great historic and cultural interest.
While it has received nearly 24,000 reviews, with an average of four and a half stars, there’s a small percentage of guests who had something to complain about recently.
According to its worst reviews, new visitors should beware of being “crammed in around the baths,” “long queues,” and having a generally “disappointing” experience.
The baths themselves have even been likened to “an uncleaned pool” or “green puddle.”
The Eden Project
Located in Cornwall, The Eden Project celebrates plants and the natural world by growing a wide range of species in its two enormous biomes. It has received around 13, 000 reviews on TripAdvisor, with an average score of four stars.
Yet, for 6% of recent visitors, their experience wasn’t as expected, with some experiencing “overcrowding,” and describing the project as “tired-looking” and “run down.”
Meanwhile, others have mentioned “dying plants,” “overflowing bins,” and a “long walk to the domes” from the parking facilities.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle in Scotland has been occupied since the Iron Age and to the public for decades.
The landmark has been named the UK’s second most-visited paid tourist attraction – and its 52,000+ reviews on TripAdvisor speak for its popularity.
Yet, recent visitors described the building as “lifeless” and “full of gift shops,” ruining the history of the place. There are also said to be “long queues” or “overcrowding,” with many exhibits closed on several occasions.
The Needles
On the Isle of Wight, there’s a row of three chalk stalks protruding about 30 metres out of the sea – known as The Needles.
Of all the UK tourist attractions, the study found this had the lowest average review score of 3 and a half stars, with 8.61% of its nearly 5,000 reviews being one-star.
The most common complaints made by visitors to the area stated that the chair lift down to the beach ruins the landscape, making it hard to get that picture-perfect view.
They also noted, “overcrowding,” and “narrow, slippery steps” (should you choose to avoid the stairlift).
Brighton Palace Pier
Known colloquially as Brighton Pier, this is one of the biggest attractions in the southeast. With an average review score of four stars, 3% of just over 8,000 reviewers have rated it as a one-star experience.
Recent one-star reviews mentioned “long queues” for rides, many of which were closed or broken.
Plus, they said the pier itself was apparently “slippery” and “littered,” with “full bins” and “paint falling off.”
Stonehenge
A prehistoric monument set on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, Stonehenge is a must-see attraction for tourists from all over the world, found to have an average of four stars.
However, nearly 4% of recent reviews analysed rated it just one star, with visitors to the stones surprised by “huge, barbed wire fences” obstructing the view and how far they are from the walkway.
There were also mentions of “security guards in florescent jackets,” and the attraction simply being referred to as “large-scale rubble in a vague circle.”
The Tower of London
A historic monument in the capital, The Tower of London stands 29 metres tall and is owned by The Crown Estate.
It currently has nearly 67,000 reviews on TripAdvisor and an average rating of four and a half stars.
But for a small percentage of guest reviews analysed, the attraction was “underwhelming” and “pure chaos,” with “screaming children everywhere,” “long queues,” and “dirty toilets” that are ruining the experience for visitors.
The Giant’s Causeway
Created as a result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a natural wonder.
The attraction has an average review of four and a half stars. However, for 200 of its recent guests’ common complaints were that there were “hordes of people” ruining the view and “tourists crawling over the rocks.”
Meanwhile, others were frustrated by security guards, described its beauty as “over-exaggerated,” and referred to the attraction as “just a pile of odd-shaped rocks.”
The Angel of the North
One of the most famous artworks in the region, The Angel of the North, is a contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley located by the busy A1 Road in Gateshead.
While it has just 2,214 reviews, with an average score of four and a half stars, for some of its recent guests, the one-star reviews proved interesting.
The sculpture was apparently “like an upended aeroplane” and only “so-called art.” And some visitors commented that the statue is “rusty old junk” that “needs painting” and is an “eyesore” amongst an otherwise beautiful landscape.
Mount Snowdon
The highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, takes between five and seven hours to climb (on average). Adored by tourists, the attraction has an average score of five stars on TripAdvisor.
But the experience at the top wasn’t as tranquil as some climbers might have hoped for when they visited recently, with some reviewers complaining of “rubbish views,” “long queues,” and “a gigantic café” at the summit.
The climb itself wasn’t described favourably either, with an apparent lack of toilet facilities meaning hikers were “going to the toilet on the ground,” leaving “excrement behind rocks” and there being a “smell of urine everywhere.”
Harry Roberts, Managing Director of My Favourite Cottages, reveals why customer reviews are so important to the travel industry:
They encourage others to book (or not)
When booking a trip or a day out, many people look to reviews to help them decide whether it’s the right place for them. By giving honest feedback, future visitors can begin to imagine what their experience could look like – especially if details such as the time and circumstance are similar.
They help us improve
While we always hope your experience is positive, sometimes it’s not – and that’s ok! Leaving a review allows you to communicate with us, so we can learn from them and improve for future visitors.
They reduce complaints
Just as an honest review can encourage others to visit, it can actually help to reduce future complaints – because future visitors already have an idea about the type of experience they’re paying for before they even arrive.
But remember, your reviews can negatively impact a business, so:
- Keep your reviews honest, accurate and constructive.
- Avoid personal attacks or rants.
- Be kind.