One Brummie has dubbed a popular staycation in Devon as a “dump-by-the-sea” despite hundreds of glowing reviews. The town of Torquay in Devon is situated on what is known as the ‘English Riviera’ and draws thousands of tourists during the summer.
However, one visitor from Birmingham was left unimpressed by the pretty seaside town. The Midland tourist, known as ‘arnoldino’ on Tripadvisor, wrote earlier this year: “I thought my hometown was rough in the Midlands until I visited here.
“We did not feel safe here and only stayed a few hours. We had a walk around the town and noticed how dirty it was. Definitely would not visit Torquay again. Even my 13-year old grandson said it was a dump by the sea.”
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The Express reports that he was not the only Brummie who slammed Torquay however. Mac from Birmingham said the beach was a “dirty and scruffy place with chip papers blowing about”.
Another visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “What a disappointment Torquay was. Grubby, untidy, empty shops. The harbour is the only nice place and sadly there’s nothing else there.”
Despite the negativity, Torquay is actually described as a booming seaside town and even lies within a designated UNESCO Global Geopark – which means it is of international geological significance. The vast majority of reviews of the town on Tripadvisor are also overwhelmingly positive, with one saying: “Torquay has a vibrant harbour, seafront, parks, gardens, shops and eateries.
“There is so much to see and do. Brilliant clean beaches, watersports, fishing, walking, eateries, attactions and parks. So much to see and do, we certainly wasn’t bored with the week we stayed. I would definitely recommend it and can’t think of a comparable seaside resort in the UK!”
Another said: “Nice place to enjoy a drink or two and watch the world go by. Some good restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets. The boat trips from the far end of the harbour are well worth trying.”
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
