A group of female hikers have vowed never to return to North Wales, citing the “anti-English” sentiment they experienced in a popular tourist spot. Despite Wales’ reputation for its warm hospitality, which often draws visitors to choose it over other destinations, Amy Hurst, 56, from Clitheroe, Lancashire, claims her experience was far from welcoming during a walking holiday in Llanberis, Eryri, with seven women aged between 55 and 70.
Despite Llanberis being a favourite among tourists worldwide, the group alleges they faced “astounding hatred for the English” during their four-day trip. The women are members of ‘Women that Walk’, a local initiative encouraging women to embrace nature.
Florist and mother-of-one, Amy, expressed: “The hatred for the English in North Wales is astounding, we will not be returning.”
Tourists have been under scrutiny across Europe due to concerns about over-tourism, leading to protests and anti-tourism graffiti. While Wales has seen protests over second homes, it’s unusual for visitors to be targeted.
Llanberis, located at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), welcomes thousands of English visitors every week, reports North Wales Live.
Jim Jones, chief executive of North Wales Tourism, maintains that the region is known for being “friendly and welcoming”.
Amy, who owns a flower business, shared an unsettling experience her group had from the moment they arrived at their Airbnb in Wales on Friday, August 30. She recounted: “When first arrived there, we were walking down the street when one of us remarked on there being a funeral care place. A guy walking past overheard us and said ‘it’s free for the English! ‘ It was a bit strange! “.
Her group’s discomfort escalated the next evening at a local pub when an individual remarked, “Let’s not bother with these they’re bloody English.”
Feeling threatened by the hostility, Amy said: “We had to tell them to leave us alone. We ended up leaving the pub and one of our group challenged the man and asked him why he felt the way he did – he turned into a cowering little boy! We felt a bit scared, it just felt very threatening.”
To add to their troubles, Amy reported that at a restaurant they dined in later, everyone was served except them, although she conceded that it could have been a stroke of bad luck rather than anti-English sentiment.
Reflecting on the entire unpleasant experience, Amy expressed her shock: “The vibe was awful all round we were all shocked at how bad it was. I’ve been to Wales a few times but this was really anti-English and probably anti-women too – I will not be going back.”
She concluded with a strong statement against recommending Wales as a destination: “It’s hardly Barcelona where they want the tourists out because there are too many,” she said. “I wouldn’t recommend going there to anybody.”
The group’s experience was marred by hostility from the locals, with Amy claiming they were subjected to verbal abuse. The final straw came on their last day when a pub they were visiting turned off the lights to force them to leave after last orders were called.
“They clearly wanted us out as well I’ve never had an experience which has made me feel like this before,” she said.
Tourism boss Jim Jones expressed disappointment, saying: “I’m saddened to hear this group of ladies had this experience whilst visiting Llanberis. We work so hard to promote North Wales, which has a reputation for being a friendly and welcoming region.”
