What would put you off from visiting a historical town in the UK? (Boston: houses, movies)

[imrangohar]

Hi People of Massachusetts;

I have visited Boston a couple of times and i love the place especially because of it's close historical links with the UK and also because of the architecture. To me Boston always feels like a very British place but in an American sort of way !

I have seen that many American tourists who visit UK only visit London essentially and not the surrounding historical towns! So i was wondering whether there is something that puts you off from visiting historical towns like Guildford in the County of Surrey etc. If yes, what is it?

I am asking because i am working with our local university and borough council to come up with ways to improve our towns image and attract people to come and experience the very beautiful country side!!

I would appreciate your input on this!

Regards;
Imran

[pondhopper]

I think its all about perceived ease to get there! Americans get to London and there is alot to see and do there and so it takes a few trips (which many never get to) to want to venture out of London. Once we do think about venturing out, it has to be easy to get to, especially as many are intimidated at first about driving on the "wrong" side of the road and those Roundabouts!!! I was fascinated with Winchester when I visited there, original capital of England, where England was "created" by Aelfred, charm, etc. I also like Guilford but when I first ventured from London I wanted the complete contrast - very small like the Cotswolds instead of a city. I would talk about the Cathedral most of all and the small town feel (yes I know its a city, due to the Cathedral, but Americans ususally don't know that definition) and the ease of getting there by rail from Gatwick or a day out from London with plenty to occupy you. I think Windsor does well convincing people its an EASY day out and therefore a great visit due to the Castle and that ease.

[imrangohar]

Thanks for your input Pondhopper !! I hope you had a positive overall experience of visiting UK and i hope it would motivate you to come again!!! Just out of curiosity, do you think one can segment the American tourist into those who like visiting historical places and those that do not?? What i mean by that is can we say that Americans living in the States of New England are more likely to visit UK then those living else where??

I know we cannot generalize this and secondly i guess you may not be able to vouch on part of your fellow Americans but as an American i guess you could give me your own opinion!! How do you feel about this?

[ChunkyMonkey]

First, I think most Americans do not know many small English historical towns. Second, Americans have very limited number of days off. Many rather do the typical European city hopping than just focus on one nation. London is the "must-see" European big city for all Americans due to historical, cultural and language ties. It is also the easiest to access in terms of flights. However, I would imagine more and more will venture out if given the chance and knowledge. I know I would.

The New England states have close ties with the UK and is the closest American region to UK in terms of geographic distance. One can fly from Boston to London right around 6 hours if winds are favorable. So, I think that New Englanders would more than likely travel to England per capita than other Americans. This is probably the reason why Boston has so many flights to London without being a hub for any U.S. airline.

[smarty]

I agree with all previous post... In the end... it is all about marketing... Put yourself in movies, books, and TV ads. Also, work with tour companies; have tour bus stops with easy access; Make your town as one of the MUST visit sites.

[professorsenator]

I’ve been to the UK a number of times, and gone outside of London multiple, times, too. I can think of a variety of reasons why Americans tend not to travel outside of London:
1. Awareness. Everyone has heard of London; few have heard of Guildford (or "insert name of town here").

2. Uniqueness: Quaint, historic towns can be found in just about every country of the world (and there’s plenty of them here in the U.S.). London is a unique place in the world. It is one of a kind.

3. Transportation: there are many flights daily to from the U.S. to London. Hop off the plane, catch a quick train/tube ride into the city, and you’re there. Getting to the countryside is more difficult. It requires knowledge of a specific destination and it practically requires a car. Of course, driving in the UK is tricky for us left-hand-side folks--I’ve done it and it’s a challenge. A tour bus is OK, but structured trips don’t suit many folks. People want to be free to come and go as they please--Americans are dependent upon their cars and the freedom their vehicles allow. A bus tour just doesn’t appeal to lots of people. On the other hand, the incredible public transport system of London (not to mention taxis) facilitates tourists’ freedom to go anywhere, anytime.

4. Scenery: Most Americans do not travel to see the lovely English countryside. Picturesque as it is, there are many beautiful places here in the U.S. that are more easily accessible. For the most part, scenery is not what motivates American to visit the UK. Note, too, that most Americans don’t see the bad parts of London and the attendant social ills and problems. Nor do most Americans see the pleasant but unremarkable suburbs, either.

Americans go to London to see the iconic monuments like Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, etc.; to taste the rich British history that oozes from every street corner; and to appreciate the cultural attractions (arts, dining, shopping) of what is arguably the world’s leading city.

I’m sure Guildford is a lovely place (I know Surrey is because I’ve been there), but at the end of the day it is no London.

[charolastra00]

I'm a student who will be studying abroad next year in the East End of London. While obviously I'll probably do the big sites in London the first few weekends, the first chance I get (when the weather gets a big nicer than typical January grey) I'll be out around the rest of the country.

The thing is- I'll have the time to do it. As someone else said, Americans have very limited vacation time. Even those who want to visit outside of London have a hard time finding time to do so.

Also, many Americans have this perception of England as just being London. With films like Pride and Prejudice out, maybe that will get more people outside of London. I know I've always thought of London as the "moors" (it was only now that I realized that there is more than one!) of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and the Secret Garden fame and as such plan on visiting all of the areas that inspired those novels.

Americans aren't used to a halfway decent public transportation system so few realize how easy it is to get from point A to point B in England. It's harder to hit the rural areas, but you can get from London to Newcastle or Liverpool in a decent amount of time via bus or train. You simply can't do that in the US.

[pondhopper]

I would get a database and see who a) has been to UK several times and market to them b) those who download the Visiting England guides. I would market to those especially with other cities like WInchester, Bath, etc who share the same problem. SOmething like: Once you've done London, get away from the crowds and come see the heart of England.

Guess I liked it, I moved here after visiting dozens of times, and it wasn't until about my 5th or 6th visit that I wanted to get out of London and see more.

IN direct answer, Americans generally love the charm and history of UK as our history isn't as old or as well preserved.

[skytrekker]

As much as I love London, and all it has to offer, visiting some of the smaller English towns in the south of England offers relief from frenetic London. I love the English Riviera aka as the Devon coast and also the Cornwall coast. But not all Americans are familiar with England outside of London, so they fail to wonder that far from the capital.

[missionhill]

Travelers do like cities and in the UK London is so dominant that the others drop off the radar screen. Italy maybe has an easier time--lots of cities, small and large, and the tourist's route seems somehow by definition to take in not just Florence and Venice but also Tuscan hill towns or whatever. If those English towns produced wine! But to think that travelers today wouldn't know about English towns or countryside! That seems as much a part of the country's identity as anything in London. Anyone raised on English literature would have a hankering to visit the great houses or particular regions like Wordsworth's Lakes, Bronte country, or Hardy's "Wessex". Maybe the English townscape has disappeared from calendar art and other popular image venues. When I went to England I visited Canterbury (Chaucer), Wells (beautiful cathedral town), Salisbury (John Constable), Winchester (the Cathedral, Beatles), Bristol, the Wye Valley and Tintern Abbey, Ambleside (both for Wordsworth), York, Cambridge (Kings College Chapel), and (last but not least) London.