With the summer holidays on the way, many families will be planning day trips at some of the UK's top attractions, but a study has dubbed some staycation spots as 'tourist traps' thanks to high prices and overcrowding10:12, 10 Jun 2026Updated 10:13, 10 Jun 2026Alton Towers and Thorpe Park have been named as some of the UK's 'biggest tourist traps' in a new study that looked at factors including pricing and queue times.‌The research carried out by consumer website idealo was based on average review ratings, the percentage of negative feedback, and also the amount of times words such as "long queues" and "overpriced" were mentioned by visitors. These numbers allowed them to compile a 'tourist trap score' out of ten in an attempt "to understand which attractions leave visitors feeling underwhelmed".‌‌Despite its popularity, Surrey-based theme park Thorpe Park took the top spot, with idealo saying: "When diving into reviews three-star and below, a big portion of reviews complain about value for money. Over one in five reviews (21.08%) mention cost-related complaints, with visitors frequently 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 of a visit."Overcrowding is another common issue, with 15.27% of reviews referencing queues and busy conditions, which can impact the overall experience for families. Cleanliness concerns also appear more frequently here than in most other top attractions. Combined, these factors contribute to Thorpe Park receiving a tourist trap score of 10 out of 10."‌Coming in at second place was another theme park owned by Merlin Entertainments: Alton Towers. idealo said: "Alton Towers ranks second, with 33.56% of reviews rated three stars or below. While slightly fewer visitors complain about overcrowding compared to Thorpe Park, value for money remains a recurring issue, with 18.51% of reviews highlighting cost concerns."The attraction also sees a high volume of “rip-off” mentions in reviews, suggesting frustration not just with pricing, but with the overall value of the experience. "In response to the study, a spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments told the Mirror: “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.”Rounding off third place was the Eden Project in Cornwall, a complex famous for its large domes full of thousands of plant species. idealo said: "The Eden Project in Cornwall follows closely in third place, with a slightly stronger average rating (3.9). Of all the attractions analysed, this one takes first place for the proportion of monetary complaints, with 37.85% of reviews rated three stars or below mentioning price. While under 5’s go free, an adult ticket can set you back £35.50 if booked in advance, and an additional £12.50 for an advance child ticket."However, idealo did conclude that "across the top three tourist traps, it is clear that it is not the attractions themselves that fall short, but the gap between expectation, price, and reality". At the other end of the list, attractions such as Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Durham Cathedral, and the National Museum of Scotland were praised for offering good value and organisation.‌A spokesperson for the Eden Project told the Mirror: "This year, the Eden Project celebrates 25 years as a global garden and education charity, located in Cornwall — one of the country’s most loved and visited destinations, home to an ecosystem of outstanding natural beauty and a vibrant, interconnected visitor economy."The Eden Project has welcomed more than 25 million visitors through its doors, and we’re proud that the overwhelming majority — 70 per cent — rate their experience at four or five stars. Our General Admission and discounted Locals’ Passes offer unlimited entry for a full year, giving people the chance to return and enjoy the site through all the seasons."We value feedback and continually evolve our offer. This year we reduced our General Admission ticket price, and we welcome the government’s announcement to reduce VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent for family attractions this summer. We intend to pass on these savings to our visitors.Article continues below"As a charity, we work hard to provide strong value for money while delivering an ever‑evolving visitor experience, our educational programmes, nature‑recovery initiatives and wider positive impact. We are much more than a visitor attraction. Every visit — and every coffee or cake purchased — directly supports our mission. We look forward to a great season ahead alongside our neighbours and friends across Cornwall. Find out more about our work at Our projects | Eden Project."Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com