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

[DRM]

We'll that would certainly explain Weymouth bring a disappointing corner or Dorset.

But my nominated town is 1980s-era Billingham, and in particular the the ICI works and associated housing. It's the total lack of soul and greenery that made it a desolate and depressing dump.
I wonder if it's improved?

In a word, no

 

[Cycleops]

Middlesbrough is bad, Seal Sands is utterly horrible

Quite a few years ago a friend was offered a job in I think Middlesbrough and took it. Was going to rent but the houses were so cheap to buy so bought instead. Bad decision. Every night lads were trying to steal his car off the drive and various other problems. Abandoned the house in the end.

 

[Jameshow]

Amble isn't bad.

But to get there you pass a high security prison.

Bedlington was another place we stayed at, the flat we rented (my wife's choice) was boardering on a HMO!

 

[KnittyNorah]

Middlesbrough is bad,

Many years ago - I think it was after I'd come back from Austria, so in the 1970s, I applied for quite a senior job in Middlesbrough as I was thinking that I might want to settle back in the UK.
I got an interview, and was told on the grapevine that the job was almost certainly mine. I travelled up by train for the interview, got out of the station, walked towards the hospital, rounded a couple of corners, turned round and walked back to the station.
It was AWFUL. It was all just built up horrible dirty back streets with ramshackle brick walls and scruffy semi-literate graffiti. Surely I could do better than that! Especially as I had a job waiting for me (but not so senior ...) at the Royal Marsden if I wanted it ...

I phoned them from a phone box claiming my car had broken down and I was stranded up on the moors, very sorry and all that, would be in touch ... they phoned me at home the next day offering me another date to suit for the interview but I said I'd just received another job offer that morning and had decided to accept. Ha ha we both trilled on the phone, that's fate eh, maybe if my car hadn't broken down I'd be planning a move to Middlesbrough (not frickin' likely I said to myself) ...

I will grant that the current James Cook University Hospital looks to be a very different beast to the hospital - I think it was Middlesbrough General at that time - where I was due to interview, but my abiding memory - and sole memory, I've never been back! - of Middlesbrough was one of dirty brick walls at every corner!

 

[FishFright]

Many years ago - I think it was after I'd come back from Austria, so in the 1970s, I applied for quite a senior job in Middlesbrough as I was thinking that I might want to settle back in the UK.
I got an interview, and was told on the grapevine that the job was almost certainly mine. I travelled up by train for the interview, got out of the station, walked towards the hospital, rounded a couple of corners, turned round and walked back to the station.
It was AWFUL. It was all just built up horrible dirty back streets with ramshackle brick walls and scruffy semi-literate graffiti. Surely I could do better than that! Especially as I had a job waiting for me (but not so senior ...) at the Royal Marsden if I wanted it ...

I phoned them from a phone box claiming my car had broken down and I was stranded up on the moors, very sorry and all that, would be in touch ... they phoned me at home the next day offering me another date to suit for the interview but I said I'd just received another job offer that morning and had decided to accept. Ha ha we both trilled on the phone, that's fate eh, maybe if my car hadn't broken down I'd be planning a move to Middlesbrough (not frickin' likely I said to myself) ...

I will grant that the current James Cook University Hospital looks to be a very different beast to the hospital - I think it was Middlesbrough General at that time - where I was due to interview, but my abiding memory - and sole memory, I've never been back! - of Middlesbrough was one of dirty brick walls at every corner!

The worst part of most towns and cities seems to next to the rail station.

 

[Jameshow]

The worst part of most towns and cities seems to next to the rail station.

Or next to the hospital?!🤔🤔🤔

 

[Jenkins]

The worst part of most towns and cities seems to next to the rail station.

You've been to Lowestoft then.

 

[vickster]

The worst part of most towns and cities seems to next to the rail station.

It’s the same in lots of countries and cities. London is a bit different with lots of mainline stations, although certainly some have had their surrounds very much spruced up over the years like Kings Cross

 

[BoldonLad]

Amble isn't bad.

But to get there you pass a high security prison.

Bedlington was another place we stayed at, the flat we rented (my wife's choice) was boardering on a HMO!

Mentioning Amble, made me think of:

Cambois.

I will have nightmares tonight.

 

[AndyRM]

Mentioning Amble, made me think of:

Cambois.

I will have nightmares tonight.

Oh man. Cambois. Considered pausing there as I was knackered on a coastal ride. As I slowed down and looked around I thought better of it and carried on.

 

[BoldonLad]

Oh man. Cambois. Considered pausing there as I was knackered on a coastal ride. As I slowed down and looked around I thought better of it and carried on.

Wise decision

 

[AndyRM]

Wise decision

Proper "Deliverance" moment...

 

[byegad]

Morecambe, apart from the statue to Eric, a rundown seaside dump with little to recommend it other than the roads out.

 

[stephec]

Morecambe, apart from the statue to Eric, a rundown seaside dump with little to recommend it other than the roads out.

But it used to have Blobbyland. 😂

 

[srw]

Newquay.

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

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

Perfect place. You can bugger off to the Netherlands every night.