News Copy – by Grant Bailey
Brits lack basic knowledge of popular UK landmarks, research has revealed.
A poll of 2,000 adults found almost half didn’t recognise Edinburgh Castle, with one in five confusing it with Dover Castle.
And one in six were unable to identify Hadrian’s Wall on sight.
A third of Brits were also unable to tell the striking architecture of Glastonbury Tor from locations like Tintern Abbey and Ludlow Castle.
But two thirds of adults recognised Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
And the austere, modern look of Albert Dock in Liverpool was also more recognisable with 61 per cent of Brits able to name the landmark.
Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, which commissioned the survey, said: “The United Kingdom has so much to offer with regard to natural splendour and man-made sights and our research indicates that thousands may be unaware of what is right on their doorstep.”
Brits were also tested on their knowledge of key locations, asking them to identify the county where specific cities and sites could be found.
The iconic silhouette of The Angel of the North left a lasting impression on Brits, with 83 per cent able to correctly name Tyne and Wear as the home of the landmark.
But only 57 per cent were able to correctly place Milton Keynes in the county of Buckinghamshire, with one in five admitting they couldn’t even hazard a guess at where it is in the UK.
One in seven Brits would be incorrectly heading to Devon for their trip to Portsmouth, rather than its true home in Hampshire.
And only three in five would be able to find their way to the Eden Project, in Cornwall.
Amazingly, one in six were unable to name Cardiff as the capital of Wales, and 16 per cent came unstuck when trying to identify Edinburgh as the capital of Scotland.
Despite this, three in five Brits, polled via OnePoll.com, consider themselves well-travelled, while three in 10 believe their knowledge of UK geography and locations is very good or better.
It also emerged 85 per cent of participants were correctly able to name the River Trent as a body of water in the UK.
And 44 per cent recognised the River Spey as belonging to the British Isles.
Chris Hardy added: “Brits tend to think they have to travel further afield for adventure, when it can often be found just a short distance from their homes.
“We are lucky to have such a wealth of places to visit on our small island, with coach offering a convenient and great value way to get there.
“With over 1,800 coach services running every day to more than 750 locations, we’re encouraging more travellers to get out this summer and discover something new in the UK.”
To highlight the striking locations Brits can experience just a short distance away, National Express have created a quiz which asks players to guess whether the vista they are seeing in from the British Isles or somewhere further afield – Blighty or Abroad?
Take the quiz at: www.nationalexpress.com/en/blog/blighty-or-abroad
ENDS
Little Venice, Regent’s Canal – one of the landmarks included on Gareth Wood’s spectacular hand drawn map of London. Here’s London as you’ve never seen it – as an incredibly detailed map which took TEN years to draw. See SWNS story SWMAP; Gareth Wood spent a decade creating his unique personal view of the capital which is filled with historical references. It also includes famous landmarks, tributes to art, history and culture and symbols of contemporary life. The 116cm x 91cm masterpiece has references to music venues, local communities and major events such as the Olympic Games, the recession and the July 7 terror attacks.
Image of St Michael Mount,Cornwall. See SWNS story SWTATTOO; A man has created an INK-CREDIBLE guide to his beloved Cornwall – after covering himself in tattoos of all its main attractions. Michael Laity, 25, spent an excruciating 28 hours turning himself into a walking tour book after getting his favourite beauty spots and tourist attractions pictured onto his arms. He had the work carried out to pay tribute to the heritage and his family links to the area and his designs include popular favourites visited by millions of tourist every summer.They include Carn Brea, St Michael’s Mount and Falmouth’s Pendennis Point.
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