New Research Shows That One In Twenty Brits Have Never Been To London

When you're trying to cram yourself onto a packed tube during your morning commute, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the whole of the UK had emigrated to London.

However new research conducted by Leonardo Hotels has actually revealed that as many as six per cent of Brits have never been to London, with 38 per cent of those saying they probably never will.

A city that is visited by 30 million overseas tourists every year, those percentages equate to around 3.5 millions Brits who have never set foot in their own capital, and when you hear the reasons why you can hardly blame them.

Half of the people who haven't visited the big smoke say it's because it's too expensive (at six quid a pint that's a pretty good point), 31 per cent say they hate the crowds and 28 per cent say it's too far away and they simply can't be bothered to make the trip.

What's more, 21 per cent confessed that the thought of visiting London stresses them out, nine per cent believe it's over-rated and wouldn't live up to the hype, and six per cent reckon that Londoners are just too rude.

Out of those who do live in London, the study also found that 40 per cent confess to not making the most of the city - something echoed by people all over the country with a huge 77 per cent saying they don't make the most of where they live.

Out of those who live in beautiful rural areas, in the countryside or by the sea, only 10 per cent say they actually take advantage of it which is something that makes us sad.

"Our research not only reveals the things that people love about London and what draws them to the capital, but also the high number of people who have never visited the capita, some who never want to," said Jason Carruthers, Managing Director of Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland.

It's not all London-bashing though - the study also uncovered the biggest motivators to visit the city, and these were historical landmarks (57 per cent), world-class shopping (52 per cent) and the good range of theatres, concerts and festivals (39 per cent).

And it's pretty damn awesome, if you ask us.

Featured Image Credit: Pexels

Topics: Life News, Real, travel, London

Naomi Chadderton

Naomi is a freelance journalist working for Tyla. After graduating from The University of Nottingham, Naomi moved out to Dubai where she worked for Grazia Middle East and Harper's Bazaar Arabia. She is now back home and enjoying the London life.