With the summer holidays approaching, many Brits are planning days out and staycations across the UK. However, not all popular attractions live up to the hype, according to a new study by price comparison site idealo.
Study Methodology
The team at idealo analysed average review scores, the share of negative feedback, and how often visitors mentioned terms like "busy", "overpriced", "waste of money", and "long queues" to identify the UK's biggest tourist traps. While ticket prices were not included in the final rankings due to fluctuations, they were considered as part of the wider research to assess overall value for money.
Thorpe Park Tops the List
Thorpe Park in Surrey ranked first with the lowest average review rating among the top 10 at 3.7 out of 5. More than a third of all reviews (35.84%) rated the park three stars or below. Opened in 1979, the park features over 25 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters and three water rides. It is operated by Merlin Entertainments and boasts Hyperia, the UK's tallest and fastest rollercoaster at over 236 feet and 80 mph, as well as Europe's tallest roller coaster inversion and the world's first outer-banked airtime hill.
According to idealo, a large portion of negative reviews complained about value for money. Over one in five reviews (21.08%) mentioned cost-related complaints, describing the experience as "overpriced" or not worth the ticket price. While entry starts at £32 for adults and children under 1.2m enter for free, additional in-park spending can quickly increase the overall cost. Additionally, 15.27% of reviews referenced queues and busy conditions, and cleanliness concerns appeared more frequently than at most other top attractions. Combined, these factors gave Thorpe Park a tourist trap score of 10 out of 10.
Other Top Tourist Traps
Following Thorpe Park, Alton Towers in Staffordshire scored 9.26, and the Eden Project in Cornwall came third with a score of 8.41.
Thorpe Park Responds
A Thorpe Park spokesperson said: “We’re committed to delivering great days out and continuously improving the guest experience. While peak periods can be busy as families head out together, we provide tools such as live queue-time information and crowd calendars to help guests plan their visit. Direct guest feedback remains positive, with record satisfaction scores achieved in 2025, including across our UK theme parks. Alongside this, we’re continuing to invest in our attractions – from new rides and seasonal events to enhanced food, retail and accommodation offerings – to ensure there’s always something new for families to enjoy.”
