Brief
Tourists flock to UK towns labelled ‘ugly’ but rich in attractions
Data shows that cities once criticised for their appearance are drawing millions of visitors and significant economic gains.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Travel writers say several UK towns and cities that have been dubbed "ugly" are surprisingly popular with tourists, with visitor numbers rising and new regeneration projects underway, according to the Daily Mail.
What happened
Coventry’s city centre, largely rebuilt after World War II bombing, was voted one of the worst places to live in a recent study, ranking 255th of 284 local authority areas. Nevertheless, the city’s visitor economy topped £1 billion for the first time, as 12.6 million people visited in 2025 – a 6.5 per cent increase on the previous year, and the economic value of those visits rose 9.3 per cent.
In Slough, a town long mocked for its grey office blocks and featured in the sitcom “The Office”, a £3.5 billion town‑centre overhaul is reshaping its image. The borough earned Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation from VisitEngland, linking it to national tourism policy and funding.
What the reports add
The Daily Mail notes that Coventry’s main draw is the ruined medieval cathedral and the modern Sir Basil Spence‑designed cathedral with 200 stained‑glass panes, as well as the Transport Museum. In Slough, proximity to Windsor and the new retail and leisure developments are cited as reasons tourists are now visiting.
What was said
The article does not quote officials directly but references data that “the city’s visitor economy surpassed the £1 billion mark for the first time” and that “Slough Borough Council achieved accreditation as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership from VisitEngland”.
How it came about
Both towns’ reputations stem from historic setbacks – Coventry’s wartime destruction and Slough’s industrial image – but recent regeneration efforts and heritage attractions are shifting perceptions, turning perceived ugliness into a tourism asset.
Key facts
- Coventry attracted 12.6 million visitors in 2025, boosting its visitor economy past £1 billion. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Visitor numbers in Coventry rose 6.5 per cent and economic value rose 9.3 per cent year‑on‑year. (dailymail.co.uk)
- Slough’s £3.5 billion town‑centre redevelopment coincided with its accreditation by VisitEngland. (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “The ugliest towns and cities across the UK that tourists actually LOVE”
