There’s no getting around the fact: we are a nation who love a rubbish day out. From childhood we are raised to expect the dire. With every trip to Stonehenge or the York Quilt Museum our parents were saying: “Son, this is what your weekends are going to be like from now on – just a bit rubbish. So don’t get your hopes up.”
So the only thing that was missing, we realised, was a guide to Britain’s worst tourist attractions. We spent a year tramping the country writing it and having an awful time as we did so, so that you don’t have to. You’re welcome.
I thought this may be a fun thread for JB. So, what are your nominations / experiences of a cr@p day out.... No geographic restrictions apply.
In fact any time you step out of the house there is a high chance it will result in a crap day out. The weather, public transport, traffic - any number of factors contribute to this ecstasy.
Natural History Museum. Not the slightest bit crap itself, just the experience. When tour group leaders understand that it is not acceptable to allow their charges to run amok through the galleries, climb on exhibits (while filming that one), abuse the museum staff in various languages and hold impromptu drinking sessions so much the better. Actually it started another impromptu drinking session as we bailed out and went to a local pub instead.
Any day that includes lunch or dinner in a Beefeater/Harvester style pub... unfortunately I have several relatives for whom these represent the highlight of culinary excellence and a dining experience to savour.
Goudie, whoever it was that came up with the notion that "retail therapy" can be a pleasurable passtime should be subjected to electric shock treatment.
Any attraction with the word 'experience' in it. E.g. 'The Armada Experience', 'The King John Experience', 'The Shakespere Experience'.
Also the shop, in Stratford-on-Avon, that sells Christmas decorations all year round. When I stumbled across this astonishing retail outlet in May this year, the two shop assistants couldn't pack the stuff up, that the Americans were buying, quickly enough. With Xmas music blaring out it was truly depressing.
The book was originally bought out several years ago IIRC
A day in the public gallery of the House of Commons watching the children at play must come near the top of the list, as would a day aircraft spotting.
Whichever is further away. To get from Sarfend to Blackpool around the M25, up the M1 and M6 is a days journey / challenge / hell on earth. Once you arrive you are too knackered to enjoy the remainder of the day and you still have to get home again afterwards ...
Why is it we never see these I-got-you-trapped-now-type talks coming? Sweet as a jam-filled donut until they pick their impossible-to-escape moment then... POW. A different species entirely. Gimme a week locked in a wool museum anytime.
Weymouth. Tries to be any/all and fails miserably without losing the tat.
I see your Weymouth but I raise you Minehead...
Anything that incorporates 'organised entertainment' and any of those all inclusive resorts where you have to wear a company wristband for the duration of your stay. *shudders*
Anything that involves one of the two worse types of Unimaginative Brits Abroad - either the shell suited oik demanding fish and chips and bangers on the costa del sol or the upper class twit that has been going to the same Brighton B&B style hotel abroad 'because it has been like this with the same owners for the last 50 years and we've been coming here every year since and we are practically regarded as being one of the locals don't you know?' GAH!
