An endless train of cars snakes over the horizon towards an expensive afternoon spent amidst the deafening screams of people being splashed, thrown around and hassled by anonymous wannabes trapped in big furry costumes. Why? Is this really the best we can find to occupy our precious spare time? Is this honestly someone's idea of fun? Wouldn't it be better to go somewhere that everyone else hasn't - somewhere with somthing more interesting to say than 'have a nice day' or 'keep your hands inside the car while the ride is in motion'? This is your chance. Turn away from the theme park queue and take a wayward tour of the backwaters and byways of the British tourist trail, celebrating the small, fascinating and unique.
Bollocks to Alton Towers: Uncommonly British Days Out
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Watch the author talk about this book in Windows Media
Player format:
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Review
Delightfully sunny --miles kington, independent
odd, compelling, touching and funny, --daily mirror
inspired... little britain has nothing on this --marie claire --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
odd, compelling, touching and funny, --daily mirror
inspired... little britain has nothing on this --marie claire --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
From the Inside Flap
The very best nooks and corners of British tourism. See the world's longest pencil, a mermaid's skeleton and a witch in a bottle. Explore the world's most terrifying bungalow, the village that was stolen and the Victorian theme park that's falling into the sea.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
My 'young adult' kids bought this as my father's day present - revenge will be mind on our next cagoule clad thermos clutching day trip!
For all those of my generation ( approaching 50 too fast for comfort ) who suffered long childhood journeys in inadequately ventilated cars upholstered in warm black PVC, seaside metal spades so sharp they could take your toe off, and endless games of 'I spy'....this book is for you. With page turning and near 'brysonesk' humour and observation it makes you want more than anything to visit eccentric gems in far off reaches of Britain. Places you did not know existed, but will now add to your itinerary if you're in the area on your next holiday.
British understatement, with a slowly melting ice-cream cone of eccentric nostalgia thrown in.
Are the British the only people that have 'days out'? Does a day out mean leaving home for a period long enough to include at least one meal time? Do the French, or Germans, or even Americans go for 'proper days out'? The French probably go to the market, the Germans to sit in the park and eat too much, and the Americans to the superbowl, or megatrucks, or
Disneyland........but I bet non can compete with the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport, Mother Shipton's Cave and Dripping Well in Knaresborough, or even Gnome Magic in Colchester.
After reading the book you feel cheated that your local crowd-magnet was not listed, but then again do you want the great unwashed descending on your own private 'tourist trap' - I think not. BUY THIS BOOK>>>>>>it's brilliant.
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a great book, hilarious and well written, but with an added layer of being rather touching in a funny sort of way. This book is written with a lot of joy behind it, no cynsism, no sneering and nothing needlessly negative (and because of that, it's nothing like Crap Towns btw). You can feel the genuine enthusiasm the writers seemed to feel for each of the strange little places they visited. A cliché it may be, but this book does give you a sense of "Britishness", even if you're confused as to what "Britishness" really is.
I found this book extremely witty with some big belly laughs thrown in and, strangely for a book of this sort, rather useful and informative. I shall definitely be visiting some of these places with my family when we next go on holiday. And, next time I am driving through Bedford I shall keep a beady eye out for the end of terrace house earmarked by a strange Victorian religious sect for Jesus to live in, should he ever get round to being resurrected.
In short, buy this book, it has a little more weight and rather more laughs than its coffee table brothers and sisters.
I found this book extremely witty with some big belly laughs thrown in and, strangely for a book of this sort, rather useful and informative. I shall definitely be visiting some of these places with my family when we next go on holiday. And, next time I am driving through Bedford I shall keep a beady eye out for the end of terrace house earmarked by a strange Victorian religious sect for Jesus to live in, should he ever get round to being resurrected.
In short, buy this book, it has a little more weight and rather more laughs than its coffee table brothers and sisters.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By C. Tripp
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've wanted this book for ages (based on the title alone) but had been reluctant to order it without having read inside and found out exactly what it's about and what it's trying to do.
Now that I've got it, I only wish I'd bought it earlier. Living in the depths of Cumbria, it's lovely to find a 'guidebook' that has no less than 3 local places in it!
What I like best about it tries to instill a love and appreciation of the small tourist attractions in this country. All too often we ignore the random brown roadside signs to some attraction we've never heard of and prefer the safety of the well-established places such as Sealife centres or Alton Towers. Even if you never visit any of the places in this book, it makes you want to find some other ones and support somewhere that hasn't sold itself out by joining the Disneylands of this world.
The writing style is very readable and witty. You can read it as a non-fiction book not just as a guidebook. Highly highly recommended.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
4.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hardly "hilarious" but very interesting ...
On the back cover of my copy (different cover from that illustrated) it describes the book as, I quote, "hilarious". This is sheer bunk! Read more
Published 15 months ago by B. Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book with Morris Traveller on front holds much promise.
This book arrived a couple of hours ago. Bought as a gift, I couldn't resist a few quick dips into it. After all, a book with a Morris Traveller on the front holds much promise. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Julie D
1.0 out of 5 stars
It is a load of Bollocks
Absolutely dreadful, very much "Tesco book of the week" and only suitable for the Oxfam shop shelves. Quite where the promised hilarity was I do not know. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. M. Armstrong
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I bought this book, based on reviews and word of mouth, and excitedly awaited its arrival in the post.
But I was really disappointed, I was expecting it to be funny. Read more
But I was really disappointed, I was expecting it to be funny. Read more
Published on 3 May 2010 by Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life Changing!!
This particular copy was bought as a gift for a friend. Ours was purchased some two years ago - it was literally life changing. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by Sue Ferguson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holidaying in the great un united kingdom
Don't go see the queen go see the great places in this book, i dedicate this review to all my great friend in the review monetizing crew, big it up for Brian Mark and Alex.
Published on 17 Oct 2009 by Noel Twomey
1.0 out of 5 stars
Huh?! :S
Ur hello! Lawn Mower Museum!!!
Whoever wrote this book obviously aimed it at older folk who need some inspiration. Cough cough! Read more
Whoever wrote this book obviously aimed it at older folk who need some inspiration. Cough cough! Read more
Published on 26 May 2009 by Mrs. J. M. Neal
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bollocks
I searched for this book under 'comedy' and have to say it hardly raises the mouth corners at any point or at least the third I read didn't. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2008 by jonny vegas
5.0 out of 5 stars
You just have to visit. . . . . .
I was intrigued by the title and after having visited Alton Tovers, the sentiment of the title was the first attraction for me. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2007 by Tox
4.0 out of 5 stars
Highlights the less visited attractions in the UK
Intriguing title - I happen to like Alton Towers. It's not just Alton Towers the writers are disdainful towards but theme parks in general, along with any attraction that is purely... Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2007 by accadia
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
