Study lists Stonehenge as third most 'overrated' landmark in the world

Wingie analysed Tripadvisor reviews for the top 50 tourist experiences in every country, with the ranking based on the number of keywords indicating whether an experience was perceived as overrated relative to the total number of reviews.

Looking at the profile for Stonehenge on Tripadvisor reveals multiple scathing reviews of the site, with much criticism placed on English Heritage’s administration and monetisation of the site.

One review on the site concluded: “Don't waste your time with these leeches (sorry, incorrect- leeches at least have medicinal uses) and go to somewhere with as good energy such as Avebury.”

In a one-star review entitled “Robbing set of Criminals”, another reviewer said: “The worst experience of my life. These Stones are of significant historical and spiritual value and yet English Heritage have monopolised them for a cash cow to pay their CEO vast sums of money.”

Stonehenge was topped by Warwick Castle, dubbed the most overrated tourist spot in the world. On a worldwide scale, Stonehenge was also beat by the fishing community of Kampong Phluk in Cambodia, known as the “floating village” for its houses on the water.

Nihan Çolak Erol, chief operating officer of Wingie Enuygun Group (WEG), said: “Tourists use sites like TripAdvisor to find out which attractions are worth the money. Whether because of the admission price, long queues, or the trip not meeting expectations, visitors want to feel their attendance was worth the money, especially during the cost-of-living crisis when holidays become less affordable.

"By studying traveller sentiment, we can reveal which experiences fell flat for most people. The key to creating a good experience is ensuring that expectations meet reality. In most cases, the ticket price didn’t justify the visit. Visitors should understand the value and uniqueness of each experience, so they leave feeling their money was well spent.”