20 March 2023 , 14:27
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The Blackpool Tower is the most complained about landmark in the UK, with many visitors to the iconic structure leaving disappointed and ready to drop a stinging review.
Each year close to 40 million people visit the UK, making it one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world.
As much as the appetite for a British holiday is clearly there - which is understandable given the country's amazing coastline, expansive history and buzzing cities - it can leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Analysis of the world's biggest monuments found that ten of the 20 most complained about, based on bad Tripadvisor reviews, are in the UK.
At the top of the global pile is the Palace of Versailles in France, a symbol of French Baroque architecture and the former royal residence of Louis XIV.
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Blackpool Tower being built way back in 1894 (Mirrorpix)Many visitors to the historical building find it overcrowded and underwhelming, with complaints about the palace's long wait times, poor customer service, and expensive ticket prices. among the 9.8% of reviews which judged it to be 'bad' or 'terrible'.
Blackpool Tower, a true icon of British seaside culture, comes in at second worst, with a score of 9.4%.
Standing at a lofty 518 feet tall, this towering structure has been delighting visitors since its construction way back in 1894.
According to some reviewers however, the Tower is just a bit too "touristy" and busy for their liking.
Many of the one star rankings on Tripadvisor complain that they weren't allowed up the tower at all as high winds forced it to close during their visit to the town.
"If I could leave 0 stars I would," one unhappy customers wrote online.
"Booked our tickets two hours in advance, when we came back they said the tower was shut because of high winds. Fair enough but wouldn’t give us our money back."
Others felt like a trip up the tower was too expensive and added extras including a 4D film did not justify the price tag.
"Absolutely awful 4D film, followed by an overcrowded lift ride," one one-star reviewer recently wrote.
"The views from the top are fabulous, but very over priced. Put the money towards afternoon tea in the Ballroom."
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Many felt let down by their experience at the Tower, having returned to relive happy memories made during their childhoods.
"I remember visiting Blackpool Tower when I was a kid, back when it was tower world and you could access everything," one review wrote, slamming the decision to offer tickets for different sections "at ridiculous rates".
The Tower is not universally loved (Getty Images/iStockphoto)They added: "We decided to visit the tower itself because my wife had never been. For £43 myself, my wife and my son got to wait in a line for a stupid amount of time to visit a pointless 4D cinema (of low quality) then ride up to the tower, back down into the gift shop and go home."
They completed the damning review saying the attraction is "all about the money now and the experience and joy has been sucked dry".
Top 10 most complained about landmarks
- Palace of Versailles, France: 9.8%
- Blackpool Tower - Blackpool, UK - 9.4%
- Stonehenge - Wiltshire, UK - 8.1%
- Big Ben - London, UK - 5%
- Angel of the North - Gateshead, UK - 4.7%
- Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias - Valencia, Spain - 4.7%
- York Minster - York, UK - 4.4%
- The Giant’s Causeway - County Antrim, Northern Ireland - 3.8%
- Pyramids of Giza - Cairo, Egypt - 3.7%
- Pompeii Archaeological Park - Pompeii, Italy - 3.4%
The full list of the most grumble inspiring landmarks can be found here.