It’s a universal experience. We’ve all visited some supremely hyped-up tourist attraction just to feel robbed by its extortionate entry fee. And there’s no doubt that UK landmarks are among some of the worst culprits when it comes to getting value for money.
In a bid to find the most overpriced tourist destinations in the world, money advice site SavingSpot sifted through thousands of TripAdvisor reviews to find the attraction with the most mentions of ‘expensive’. British sites accounted for ten of the top 20 – and one place in the UK even took top spot.
Named the most overpriced tourist destination in the world was The Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter. Yep, really!
Let’s break that down a little. To be immersed in the wizarding world, visitors over 16 have to pay £53.50 while the price for a child as young as five is £43. If you want a souvenir photo on a flying broom, it’ll set you back an extra £14 and if you want to bring a wizard’s coat home, you’ll be £76 poorer. Magic doesn’t come for free, folks.
It’s worth noting, however, that while a lot of the TripAdvisor reviews include the word ‘expensive’, many also say that their experience was completely worth the high cost. After all, you do get to experience all of the biggest sets from the movies, like Hogwarts Great Hall, Gringotts Bank, the Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley.
Some other reviewers were less impressed, pointing out that the gift shop and food and drink are particularly spenny. One called it ‘such a fantastic money-making machine … not really in line with Harry Potter values’ and another lamented the £6.95 cost of a butterbeer, describing it as ‘essentially lemonade and whipped cream in a take-home plastic cup’.
Some of other UK attractions to make SavingSpot’s list were Legoland, the Eden Project, the Tower of London, Chester Zoo and Edinburgh Castle.
Time Out on tourist traps
Take it from us, there are loads of attractions in the UK where you don’t have to battle huge crowds or completely empty your wallet. Just take a look at our alternative guide to London, our list of Edinburgh’s best things to do for free or our round-up of fun stuff you can do across all of England. You’re welcome.
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