The ugliest towns and cities across the UK that tourists actually LOVE - from concrete jungles to hopelessly naff seaside spots

French bulldogs, Crocs – even babies sometimes. Despite appearances, we can't help but adore things that are objectively ugly. 

And such is the plight of many a UK town and city: ugly to behold, but with so much to love. Indeed, some of the country's worst-looking spots still (seemingly paradoxically!) lure in tourists in droves.

From badly bombed Coventry to nostalgic seaside towns desperately in need of repair, the country is full of these tourist treasure troves that seem dull and grey on the surface – yet still elicit delight.

They might have been overlooked by residents or fellow Brits, but here are some of the ugliest towns and cities across the UK that tourists actually love...

Coventry

Coventry city centre was largely rebuilt in the post-war years

Parts of the city are stunning, though, with the ruins of Coventry Cathedral a highlight

Bombing during the Second World War badly affected Coventry, leaving it in dire need of refurbishment. It was then given a new lease of life rather quickly – but unfortunately, this came mainly in the form of concrete.

No surprise, then, that Coventry was voted as one of the worst places to live in the UK in a study last year, according to CoventryLive, ranking 255th out of 284 local authority areas. 

But tourists, it seems, are more interested in what's on the inside.

The city's visitor economy surpassed the £1billion mark for the first time, as data showed that 12.6 million people visited the city in 2025.

Figures show that visitor numbers were up 6.5 per cent compared to the previous year and that value to the economy jumped by 9.3 per cent. 

So what can you get up to here?

The ruins of the Old Cathedral are, undoubtedly, the main attraction. Plus, the Sir Basil Spence-designed New Cathedral opened in 1962 and boasts 200 stained glass panes, alongside many works of art.

The Coventry Transport Museum is also worth a look. 

VERDICT: Ugly on the surface, but better than it looks.

DAILY MAIL TOURIST RANKING: 7/10 

Slough 

Downtown Slough looks much like any middle-of-the-road city centre

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Britain’s most mocked town is perhaps best known for its appearance on beloved BBC sitcom The Office – even though it was not actually filmed there, the show is set in the town and its infamous trading estate.

Dreary, grey and full of office blocks, it hardly bears the hallmarks of a great tourist destination. The Berkshire spot was once even named Britain's ugliest town by the Telegraph. 

However, thanks to a £3.5billion town centre overhaul, that could be set to change – and plenty of tourists are already visiting, due to its proximity to Windsor.

Last year, Slough Borough Council achieved accreditation as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership from VisitEngland, connecting it with the national tourist board and UK government and giving local businesses a bigger say and visibility in policy and funding decisions.

Berkshire has been back on the map ever since, and could grow even more.

So where to go? Slough’s new Mega City is an all-weather indoor activity centre where you can find a variety of activities including bowling, laser tag and karaoke rooms, and is popular among visitors.

Otherwise, you might want to head further afield to Windsor itself. 

VERDICT: We can't understand the hype. Exceedingly mediocre. Visit Windsor instead.

DAILY MAIL TOURIST RANKING: 3/10 

Merthyr Tydfil 

Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, has a rather dull high street, but some excellent sights nearby, such as the Cefn Coed Viaduct

Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales was ranked among the ugliest towns in the UK by The Telegraph in 2024 for its industrial appearance and traffic.

But the town is actually situated right next to a number of stunning natural landmarks and settings – and acts as a gateway to the Brecon Beacons.

Cyfarthfa Castle, a Gothic-style castle dating back to the 1800s, is one popular attraction, described as 'one of Merthyr’s most unique attractions' by a recent visitor.

Nearby, the Cefn Coed Viaduct, built in the 1860s for the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, is similarly impressive, with a dramatic setting and panoramic views.

Plus, Pen y Fan Horseshoe in Merthyr Tydfil was this year ranked among the top ten winter hikes in the UK.

VERDICT: Worth a visit for location and the famous viaduct alone.

DAILY MAIL TOURIST RANKING: 9/10 

Blackpool

The Pleasure Beach amusement park, located in Blackpool, has lured in crowds from across the UK for the past 130 years

The Blackpool Tower, pier and coastline have provided the backdrop for many a British family holiday for generations – but in recent years, the town has gone from dynamic destination to hopelessly gauche.

Blackpool was at its best from the 1870s to the 1950s, when new railway links made it easily accessible – a win for those living in landlocked towns across the UK.

In the 1980s, it had a reputation for a vibrant nightlife – but unfortunately, competition from increasingly easy-to-book Mediterranean holidays became far more appealing than, well, a weekend by the Irish Sea.

Healthy life expectancy in Blackpool sits at around 54.5 years, roughly the same as that of African country Angola – where an estimated three in five live in extreme poverty.

That means not only has the town lost its glossy veneer – it has some pretty deep-rooted issues beneath the surface, too.

Nonetheless, it's still a favourite among those seeking a return to days gone by. Just recently, Blackpool's Pleasure Beach was crowned 'best of the best' in major theme parks awards. 

VERDICT: Fine if you want to be reminded of childhood seaside holidays. Otherwise skip.

DAILY MAIL TOURIST RANKING: 6/10 

Great Yarmouth 

Great Yarmouth is a resort town on the east coast of England with a lively pier

Much like Blackpool, the invention of the railways in the 19th century saw an influx of visitors to Great Yarmouth. Nowadays, though, the resort town struggles with deprivation and decline.

The 32nd most income-deprived local authority in England, Great Yarmouth is also plagued by housing pressures, high unemployment, below-average salaries and poor education.

It's undergoing long-term development, with local councillors aiming to revamp the town for the future.

Still, somehow it's still luring in visitors. 

Great Yarmouth attracts around 7.5 million visitors annually, contributing £700million to the local economy.