A travel vlogger’s visit to Bangor reveals a contrasting view of the seaside city’s allure, challenging its negative image from a recent survey.
A recent visit to Bangor, a seaside city in Gwynedd, North Wales, has challenged its negative reputation as the UK’s worst seaside resort, according to travel vlogger Ed Chapman. This reputation stems from a survey conducted by consumer watchdog Which?, which in January reported a low score of 42% for Bangor, based on responses from 4,744 panel members. Comments gathered in the survey described the city as “drab” and “run down,” a portrayal that sparked disappointment from Bangor’s local council.
In an effort to better understand the city’s appeal, Chapman, who shares travel videos on his self-titled YouTube channel, spent two nights in Bangor. He expressed a sense of surprise at the friendliness of the city’s residents, stating, “I will say the locals have all been, including the taxi driver, really friendly. Very friendly people is a good start to any place you go to, regardless of if it’s a dump or not.” This positive interaction contributed to his overall impression of the city.
During his exploration, Chapman highlighted the Garth Pier, a notable 19th-century landmark, which he described as “beautiful” and more “traditionally seaside-y.” As he approached the pier, with the sun setting behind him, he remarked on its aesthetic and the tranquility it provided, stating, “Now, this looks beautiful that we’re heading towards here,” while appreciating the “impressive” and “glorious” views across the Menai Strait from the pier.
In addition to the pier, Chapman expressed admiration for Bangor University, likening it to a “nice” building with a “very sort of Hogwarts” charm, indicating his appreciation for the city’s cultural heritage despite its low survey ranking. Concluding his video, Chapman stated he had been “very surprised” by Bangor and underscored his belief that it was “pretty underrated,” a stark contrast to the perceptions described in public surveys.
The local council, which had hoped to showcase the unique charms of Bangor, responded to the survey by emphasising cultural highlights such as the Storiel Gallery and Museum, the Pontio Arts Centre, and St Deiniol’s Cathedral. They expressed disappointment over the negative label, arguing that such rankings often overlook the true character and appeal of the city.
In terms of comparisons within the region, Portmeirion, also located in Gwynedd, has been celebrated as Wales’ best seaside town, achieving a score of 83%, while Llandudno followed suit with a score of 78%. The conflicting reviews illustrate the varying perspectives on Bangor as a destination, with local officials and visitors alike offering more nuanced views of what Bangor has to offer.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/wales/is-bangor-the-worst-seaside-town-in-britain-i-visited/ – This article discusses Bangor’s reputation as the UK’s ‘worst’ seaside town based on a Which? survey, where it received a low score of 42%. It contrasts this with its historical significance and nearby attractions.
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186430-i8259-k14766090-Is_Bangor_Gwynedd_Safe-Bangor_Gwynedd_North_Wales_Wales.html – This thread on Tripadvisor focuses on the safety concerns in Bangor, Gwynedd, which may contribute to its negative perceptions.
- https://st-oriel.bangor.ac.uk/en/ – The website for the Storiel Gallery and Museum in Bangor highlights the cultural attractions of the city, which were mentioned as part of its unique charms by the local council.
- https://www.pontio.co.uk/en/ – The Pontio Arts Centre’s website showcases its role as a cultural highlight in Bangor, emphasizing the city’s artistic and educational aspects.
- https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/uk-seaside-towns-holiday-destinations – This Which? article generally discusses seaside towns and their ratings, though specific details about Bangor’s score might require subscription access to their full reports.
- https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/place/bangor/ – This website provides tourist information about Bangor, highlighting its landmarks and attractions, including Bangor University and the Garth Pier, which can help contrast with negative public perceptions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears recent, referencing a January survey by Which?. However, no specific dates are given for the video or the visit, which could indicate it’s not extremely up-to-date.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Ed Chapman are likely original to this article. Without additional context or sources, it appears these are genuine, first-use quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable publication (Wales Online), which generally adds credibility. However, local perspectives and opinions might be influenced by personal experiences or local interests.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about Bangor’s appeal and comparisons to other seaside towns in Gwynedd are plausible and align with local perspectives. While opinions on Bangor vary, these differing views are consistent with the typical variability in tourist reviews.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears fresh, especially considering it references recent surveys and travel experiences. Quotes seem original, and the source is reliable. The plausibility of the claims is high, given the varying opinions about tourist destinations.
