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