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

[Cathryn]

So following on from the "countries you would not return to" thread.

I'll start...
Hay on Wye
In a beautiful part of the UK and has lots of character but every time I've been there its closed.

I agree. I went with cash to spend on books and couldn't find anything I wanted.

 

[srw]

Not a town. Probably a bit harsh to describe it as a depressing dump. Parts of it are ruined by modern architecture 1960’s style (mainly the centre!) but the colleges still retain their character.
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In the 80s and 90s it was a lovely place, albeit too much traffic - decent university architecture and a prosperous feel as long as you didn't look at Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill. As recently as 5 years ago it was the same - somewhere with a lot of civic pride and some forward thinking ideas.

But a town whose economy was driven by the universities and tourism was always going to struggle in the pandemic. We went back last weekend and it felt a bit sad. I'm sure it'll bounce back eventually, but for the moment it's definitely a surprise let down.

We also visited Stratford, which was, as expected, a one-trick pony, but really quite pleasant.

 

[Bollo]

In the 80s and 90s it was a lovely place, albeit too much traffic - decent university architecture and a prosperous feel as long as you didn't look at Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill. As recently as 5 years ago it was the same - somewhere with a lot of civic pride and some forward thinking ideas.

But a town whose economy was driven by the universities and tourism was always going to struggle in the pandemic. We went back last weekend and it felt a bit sad. I'm sure it'll bounce back eventually, but for the moment it's definitely a surprise let down.

We also visited Stratford, which was, as expected, a one-trick pony, but really quite pleasant.

The area around Cornmarket St and Queen St has certainly seen better days. I suspect the new Westgate shopping centre is also contributing to the general malaise. It's interesting that Jesus College have just built a large facility that I think replaced some retail space on Cornmarket St. Maybe it's a sign that the old style 'high street' is unsustainable. Although a college expansion isn't exactly innovative for Oxford, it's better than a string of tourist shops, take-outs and short lets. I also think the litter situation has got a lot worse over recent years.

The old 'Jamie's Italian' would make a great scene-setting shot for something involving zombies.

 

[Petrichorwheels]

Too many to list here but a lot of them are places that have suffered economically over the past 40 years or so, particularly places that were once thriving seaside resorts such as Ilfracombe, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Blackpool. Empty shops or charity shops everywhere.

as a kid went to two of those places for a week's holiday - maybe both twice.
Yes it is sad.
Was on the bike in Blackpool recently - it's in a shocking state, even right in the centre.
I do though object strongly to folks (not saying you) attacking towns on their downers with a certain glee.
Shades of the "chav towns" thing.
And the gleesters say more about the ills of contemporary Britain than the challenged towns.

 

[Bollo]

I can’t believe we’ve got this far without Basingstoke getting a mention. Is it because no one‘s surprised that it’s a bit shoot? Has anyone found it better than expected? I have a soft spot for Amazingstoke, so I’ll just leave y’all with this….



(The cycling just out of the town is actually quite lovely)

 

[iandg]

Stornoway - lived there for 21 years it's a sh1te hole

 

[slowmotion]

Newquay.

Yes, it has surf. Apart from that, nothing.

BTW, speaking of seaside towns, has anybody mentioned Harwich?

 

[Mike_P]

I can’t believe we’ve got this far without Basingstoke getting a mention. Is it because no one‘s surprised that it’s a bit shoot?

Only been there once, in the mid 1980s, and found it a bit weird with everyone seemingly wearing beige coloured clothes.

 

[matticus]

I do though object strongly to folks (not saying you) attacking towns on their downers with a certain glee.
Shades of the "chav towns" thing.
And the gleesters say more about the ills of contemporary Britain than the challenged towns.

Hear hear. Especially when that's NOT the topic here. And there are plenty of other threads to do just that.
🤦‍♀️

 

[mjr]

BTW, speaking of seaside towns, has anybody mentioned Harwich?

No but it deserves to be here. Harwich's cycleway to the ferry to Holland ending in a drop down a high kerb is a particularly memorable FU to visitors as they leave (or arrive). The signposted route doing three-quarters of a lap of the town on its way to the port is also annoying.

 

[Jameshow]

as a kid went to two of those places for a week's holiday - maybe both twice.
Yes it is sad.
Was on the bike in Blackpool recently - it's in a shocking state, even right in the centre.
I do though object strongly to folks (not saying you) attacking towns on their downers with a certain glee.
Shades of the "chav towns" thing.
And the gleesters say more about the ills of contemporary Britain than the challenged towns.

So you cannot comment on the run down nature of towns nor in the social engineering policies that have led to thier demise?!!

 

[Cycleops]

BTW, speaking of seaside towns, has anybody mentioned Harwich?

I always remember the old British Rail poster proclaimed ’Harwich for the continent’ and people would write underneath ’Frinton for the incontinent’.
And while we’re talking about seaside towns what about Blackpool?

 

[Sharky]

Blackpool, went there to see the lights when the kids were small, I haven't been back and have no intention of returning.

Had holiday there when I was 6, in 1956. All I can remember is the swarms of flying ants that were everywhere.

Also as a kid, used to like the Golden Mile, the slot machines, the lights and the trams.

But none of this appeals to me anymore. Haven't been back for years.

Just remembered that I cycled there once with a friend to see a stage finish from the Milk Race. Memory is fading, but could have been in 1965. Think Westie won the stage and the race.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Stratford on Avon

OK, it's a pleasant enough place rather than a dump, but only worth visiting if you're actually going to the theatre.

Maidenhead: a bit of a dump frankly, the high street and town proper especially. Spent a year or two in hotels there. Granted Slough is slightly more of a dump (another year there) but you don't expect Slough to be nice so it's actually better than you feared.

Agree about Stratford upon Avon. Shakespeare Town filled wall to wall with tourists and long queues everywhere.

I only went to Maidenhead once. Nothing pure and beautiful about it.

 

[DRM]

Try Bradford for the complete experience.

Then do Colne to Blackburn...

You'll never ride so fast in your life.

Coming though one of those towns mid afternoon, there was a fight between two young ladies and the pub emptied to watch, the police started arriving all in the time I was sat at the lights!!


Ripley was a surprise it was heaving at 11pm Friday night!

Yes Bradford, the gift that keeps on giving, they burn cars out just to cheer the place up, Holmewood Estate makes the Donbas region look safe

Coming from NE England, I thought I was used to depressing dumps, including the town I was born in, South Shields, but, the list below either eclipse it, or, run it a close second:

Mablethorpe - A dump of a 1950's seaside 'resort'

Bridlington - as Mablethorpe, above, but, with more charvers

Blackpool - too horrible to even describe

Chatham - unbelievably grim

Hartlepool - dreadful place

Middleborough - or, indeed Cleveland in general, so, including, Billingham, Stockton, armed guard required

Hebburn - no longer a reason for it to exist

Workington - like Whitehaven, below, its one redeeming feature is, it is one of the start points for the C2C Cycle route

Whitehaven - a grade 1 dump, it's one redeeming feature is, it is one of the start points for the C2C Cycle route

Workington, once described as like Featherstone with docks,
Hartlepool, at least greedy London landlords lost an absolute shed load of money buying cheap houses to rent out,never dawned on them they were cheap for a reason.
Middlesbrough is bad, Seal Sands is utterly horrible