8 Worst Towns in Somerset, UK, 2024

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  • čas přidán 26. 10. 2023
  • #somerset #uk #turdtowns #weston #bristol #taunton #visit #travel #southwest For the very first time on Turdtowns we are revisiting a county. We wanted to see if anything had changed for better or worse. We ended up doing eight towns and also including two new towns. Conveniently news broke whilst I was making this video that Somerset council is about to go bankrupt! You have to look at the problems in Yeovil to see how poorly funds have been spent!
  • Komedie

Komentáře • 697

  • @robertleem5643
    @robertleem5643 Před 7 měsíci +233

    Just shows the state of the UK and that our politicians and Councils don't give a damn

    • @danielallen839
      @danielallen839 Před 7 měsíci

      100% the uk is like a 3rd world country these days everything is decaying away and the councils just cover it up with a shiny new city center they dont give a dam about actually makeing a nice place to live

    • @someusername1
      @someusername1 Před 7 měsíci +20

      I think they do care but they don't know what to do.
      The fundamental problem is lack of local economic sustainability due to changing culture and jobs being exported abroad.
      There is no simple cure for this. Throwing money at a town does not in and of itself solve any problems, other than perhaps in the short term.

    • @Suve35967
      @Suve35967 Před 7 měsíci +17

      ​​@@someusername1Governments care..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 About themselves.

    • @Silent002
      @Silent002 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Yep, the only thing they care about is selling off as much as they can and lining their own pockets at the same time. Entire country is circling the drain and they only care about themselves.

    • @cultfiction3865
      @cultfiction3865 Před 7 měsíci +7

      @@someusername1Governments waist the money in the pot on things that don’t benefit the public in the slightest and ignore all the things that matter

  • @sockbath1367
    @sockbath1367 Před 7 měsíci +206

    As a Brummie, I can confirm that Weston-Super-Mare is full of us. I used to get dragged there for a day trip every summer as a kid. We normally contaminate Brean as well.

    • @deltahfman
      @deltahfman Před 7 měsíci +7

      It must get lonely in Brum after everyone moved there.
      :)

    • @leecarrington1932
      @leecarrington1932 Před 7 měsíci +7

      Left Brum, Still ended up there on holiday lmao

    • @Invisiblewiz
      @Invisiblewiz Před 7 měsíci +3

      Do you ever holiday elsewhere?

    • @richardhingston6073
      @richardhingston6073 Před 7 měsíci +6

      My girlfriend lives just outside brum in a place called Wall Heath and it’s great. I’ve never understood why Brummies felt the need to go to Weston. It’s not even a great beach.

    • @Nick_Thorne
      @Nick_Thorne Před 7 měsíci +4

      thats why we call it Weston-Super-Birmingham

  • @mrd64
    @mrd64 Před 7 měsíci +85

    Can't believe the decline of Yeovil, there used to be so many good shops there.

    • @SaxonSuccess
      @SaxonSuccess Před 7 měsíci +8

      And then the Royal Naval Air Station shut up shop itself. That took a lot of income out of the town.

    • @jacquesmertens3369
      @jacquesmertens3369 Před 7 měsíci +17

      Civil servants always find a way to wreck a town.

    • @laverdajota8089
      @laverdajota8089 Před 7 měsíci +5

      40/ 50 years ago tunbridge wells was full of different shops , great for Xmas shopping,
      It’s now dead , a dump , and a place to avoid.

    • @Fubar1462
      @Fubar1462 Před 7 měsíci +2

      The football team was in the championship once now they are stuck in the non league.

    • @ProfessorPesca
      @ProfessorPesca Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@SaxonSuccesseh? They’ve not shut Yeovilton surely?

  • @jdmccoy1999
    @jdmccoy1999 Před 7 měsíci +61

    Hi, I’m from the U.S. My mom was from Kent and I’ve visited areas of England decades ago. I have always been an Anglophile. I love your channel and you make me laugh so hard and I love your analogies! I am sad that housing is such an issue in the UK. It’s the same in the U.S. You should see St. Petersburg, Florida where I was from…total Turdtown. Love this realistic view of the UK because TV shows really romanticize it. When you get CZcams famous, please do a U.S. edition of turdtowns, but make sure you wear a bulletproof vest if you do. ❤

    • @DaveTaylor-xy9kq
      @DaveTaylor-xy9kq Před 7 měsíci +2

      @jdmccoy1999
      I think I may still have some relatives of the Basden family line in Kent. In 1850 two Basden brothers immigrated from Summerset, England to Summerset, Illinois and from that a lot of Basden's now inhabit Murphysboro, Illinois next to Summerset which is now so small that it is a township.

    • @PhilJonesIII
      @PhilJonesIII Před 7 měsíci +4

      Your comment about TV shows made me smile. I'd already spent some time working in the USA (South Carolina mostly) and found myself some years later in the Philippines. They seem to be on a diet of US TV shows featuring the usual large houses, swimming pools, and multiple cars. When I suggested that the were a lot of poor people in the USA, some of them got quite argumentative and pointed to the TV as proof.
      I felt it wise to back off. I live in France now and visiting my homeland of South Wales in the UK is quite depressing. Then again, the media was never kind to Wales.

    • @richardgale1287
      @richardgale1287 Před měsícem

      "The same in the US?" - Tropicana Field, Vinoy Park, the Dali Museum... I know Yeovil and I know Pinellas County and I’m not entirely convinced they’re equivalent.

  • @mendipfox1650
    @mendipfox1650 Před 7 měsíci +32

    Ex Midlander here (Leicester). Been living in Somerset for the last 10 years. Completely agree with the 10 town sentiment here. Strangely though, I still find Somerset an absolutely gorgeous place to live. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s the people of Somerset that make it so special. See, that’s what Somerset is. It’s a way of life. An ethos. It’s kind of like living in cotton wool with a pint of scrump & a good wedge of cheddar. ❤ Somerset.

    • @FriedEgg101
      @FriedEgg101 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Or a can of Natch and a packet of Lambert :)

    • @mendipfox1650
      @mendipfox1650 Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@FriedEgg101 haha! Can of Natch or a flagon of Wilkins.

  • @EnglishRose_
    @EnglishRose_ Před 7 měsíci +35

    Love your videos, and I loved this update, although it is very sad to see more declining, it is really important because I don't see much about this huge issue at all. You're doing a much needed job. Thank you.

  • @tommyball1863
    @tommyball1863 Před 7 měsíci +59

    Excerpt from Somerset Live about the Bell pub in Shepton Mallet:
    An "out of control" Somerset pub has had its licence revoked following reports of prostitution, drug abuse, and antisocial behaviour.

    • @Sunshinesmuse
      @Sunshinesmuse Před 7 měsíci +27

      Sounds like a perfect night out destination 😂

    • @tommyball1863
      @tommyball1863 Před 7 měsíci +3

      @@Sunshinesmuse 😂😂🙌🏻🙌🏻

    • @pyrodoll2422
      @pyrodoll2422 Před 7 měsíci +15

      Does one need to book?

    • @Sunshinesmuse
      @Sunshinesmuse Před 7 měsíci +3

      @@pyrodoll2422 😂😂

    • @matt7775
      @matt7775 Před 7 měsíci +7

      Normal west country pub then

  • @ForgiveMyMadness
    @ForgiveMyMadness Před 7 měsíci +14

    I was priced out of my home county of Hertfordshire (Hitchin) and ended up moving to Bridgwater 4 years ago. Whenever I go to town, I can't help but feel its such a waste of potential - it's an adorable little space, with the river running through it, it could be so much nicer with the correct funding and the correct redesign / rebrand. Bridgwater should be a market, restaurant and cafe town with independent stores and bookshops etc. It just has that vibe. I can only hope the council doesn't waste all this 'levelling up' money (Although I have 0 faith in them lol).

  • @Mogwaithegreat
    @Mogwaithegreat Před 7 měsíci +49

    Been over 20 years since I last set eyes on Yeovil and I have to say I'm shocked. It was always a half decent small town, nothing exciting but not bad either. It's had the heart ripped out of it by the look of things.

    • @rexzs794
      @rexzs794 Před 7 měsíci +5

      The last twenty years have been very hard on Yeovil. The last ten especially, whenever there’s a crunch on the poor then it kicks back really hard.

    • @vodkaman1970
      @vodkaman1970 Před 7 měsíci +8

      I live in Yeovil, it's heartbreaking to see the state it is in. It was never an exciting place but it had its little charms, now it's about as enticing as a Soviet gulag.

  • @paulyoung9279
    @paulyoung9279 Před 7 měsíci +76

    Happily, there are still many well-run, friendly businesses remaining in Yeovil! I've regularly visited the town for about 30 years and lived here for about 4, so experiencing its decline as a place to shop, and look at, has been painful. I rather agree with your overall conclusion that the town has been screwed up by 'decision-makers' - hopefully not all of them, and not forever! Fascinating series: keep it going please!

    • @tyan_ldn
      @tyan_ldn Před 7 měsíci +8

      I appreciate your wholesome message

    • @vodkaman1970
      @vodkaman1970 Před 7 měsíci +10

      I live in Yeovil. It's really depressing to see what it has become. There are now only 3 pubs in the town centre and the whole place is just like a permanent building site. The pavement by the hospital has been fenced of for weeks and weeks now, with no sign of it being completed any time as if pedestrian access to the hospital is something nobody really needs. There's some nice people here and that's about the only good thing I can say about Yeovil.

    • @benjefferies7123
      @benjefferies7123 Před 7 měsíci +7

      There is nothing new in the story of Yeovil's maladministration - it has ever been so.

    • @oddvids2160
      @oddvids2160 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Can't believe it's been 4 years already 😮😅. The round about by the Asda isn't so fun but the chinese takeaways are good 😄

    • @davebatman847
      @davebatman847 Před 7 měsíci +1

      I left yobvil 3 years ago, too much crime and decline

  • @hexesandheaux
    @hexesandheaux Před 7 měsíci +10

    I love the serving of ice cold reality with a dollop of comedic genius thrown in on the narrating. Fantastic job!

  • @PHDarren
    @PHDarren Před 7 měsíci +30

    If you look on the map the travellers site at Glastonbury has rocked up close to both Tesco and a building materials supplier, the two places they are most likely to steal from.

    • @keithhooper6123
      @keithhooper6123 Před 7 měsíci +4

      A load parked by Premier Inn,sure they are well pleased.

  • @martinellis7156
    @martinellis7156 Před 7 měsíci +26

    Before I emigrated to Toronto 35 years ago I took a tour of Somerset . The locals in one pub had us drinking scrumpy with a shot of gin mixed in. Needless to say setting up the tent after the pub was a scene of mayhem that still makes me laugh. It was a tranquil, beautiful place in those days, with a spiritual feel that has stayed with me all these years. I grieve for the passing of those days, but I know that in my heart it will always be a special place.

    • @Jack-tx2ve
      @Jack-tx2ve Před 7 měsíci +1

      Was the pub called Tucker's grave near Norton at Phillip?

    • @christophernewman5027
      @christophernewman5027 Před 7 měsíci +2

      ​@@Jack-tx2veI know Tucker's Grave.
      Haven't been there since the late seventies though... 😊

    • @Jack-tx2ve
      @Jack-tx2ve Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@christophernewman5027 Small world. I used to drink cider there some years ago.

    • @christophernewman5027
      @christophernewman5027 Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@Jack-tx2ve The Packhorse at South Stoke was another favourite. Great for cider and a game of shovers.

  • @kareliask
    @kareliask Před 7 měsíci +39

    Yeovil is a weird place, if you don't go into the town centre or aspire to living near there, there's a ton of relatively quiet suburbs (like a ton - housing tens of thousands of people, and still building more). It reminds me of the situation in the USA with gated communities and strip malls that everybody avoids. I hadn't thought about it, but as a resident, there are places in the town I just don't consider going to and mentally filter out, and can live in a nice bubble where even some of the social housing areas can be decently maintained.
    Before covid the high street was pretty lively, but even then the lower part of the Quedam was dingy. Best part of Yeovil is commuting to Sherborne. One of our claims to fame is Terry Wogan saying our ring road system is the worst he has ever experienced. Thanks to China and Russia for ensuring the helicopter factory isn't going to close any time soon. That would fuck us up good. They're even expanding it at the moment, I think.

    • @davidellis1355
      @davidellis1355 Před 7 měsíci +13

      God could you imagine Yeovil if Westlands went bust ?

    • @rexzs794
      @rexzs794 Před 7 měsíci +7

      @@davidellis1355 -horrendous shudder-
      Defence is the industry propping Yeovil up, between Leonardo, BAE and the base at Yeovilton.
      At least the comic shop got a glow up.

    • @vodkaman1970
      @vodkaman1970 Před 7 měsíci +5

      There's little need to visit the town centre. Giant supermarkets can supply most of your shopping essentials beyond food and there's out of town retailers for other stuff and of course online shopping if you don't feel like navigating the bomb crater that is the high street

  • @burntcrumpets5616
    @burntcrumpets5616 Před 7 měsíci +18

    X londoner here. Moved to south Somerset back in 2019. I'm in a beautiful village roughly 6½ miles south of Glastonbury. We come under the town of Somerton.I think Mr Turdtown lives a stone's throw from me, (hello Mr Turd). Wherever i venture in my area i always feel safe in comparison to London. Obviously, I've yet to see a lot of Somerset but so far so good. Not keen on Western, Yeovil is pretty dire but the hospital is up to par. Taunton is ok but again Musgrove hospital there is amazing. I didn't like Chard & felt like I'd crashed a party when i visited Crewkerne. I find CastleCary a wee chavy & Shepton Mallet just has nothing going for it IMO. I actually love Glastonbury & Wells is quite classy like Somerton. Langport is fine too. To put it lightly, I'd rather be down here than venture back to London thats for sure. One time i literally got stopped on Glastonbury High St & was proceeded to be blessed by a random nutter. But you know what....she made my day..... i went back home & baked a cake!? Somersets cool! ❤️

    • @phillipchandler8862
      @phillipchandler8862 Před 7 měsíci +5

      You sound a rational cool person 😊

    • @burntcrumpets5616
      @burntcrumpets5616 Před 7 měsíci +1

      @@phillipchandler8862 cheers dude. You seem cool too! 😉

    • @rosiestewart1355
      @rosiestewart1355 Před 7 měsíci +2

      I actually love Glastonbury too - it’s the most amazing spiritual place to live. ❤️

    • @burntcrumpets5616
      @burntcrumpets5616 Před 7 měsíci

      @@rosiestewart1355 the gaff does have a vibe. I now never have to lose my nut when I'm running low on jos sticks or heroin......no, not heroin......smudge stick's.

    • @beyondlimits697
      @beyondlimits697 Před měsícem

      Yeovil is shitsville and Chard, ohhh my. Well described.

  • @adrianbromfild8624
    @adrianbromfild8624 Před 7 měsíci +11

    Your description of Yeovil is brilliant and is so accurate

  • @dragoclarke9497
    @dragoclarke9497 Před 7 měsíci +25

    So sad seeing this. In the early 1980's my wife and I moved to Yeovil from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was a lovely town, almost crime free-on many occasions the front door of our flat (just off Lyde Road) was left open all day (slightly defective lock) without any problems. During this time I worked in Chard, and whilst not as "posh" as Yeovil it wasn't as bad as in your video. We did visit Chard about 10 years ago on the way back from a holiday in Devon, we didn't stop... says it all I guess.

  • @GeraldEatsSoup
    @GeraldEatsSoup Před 7 měsíci +11

    The construction in Yeovil reminds me of what Poznań looked like when i went there in August. Except Poznań has half a million people..

  • @badbob1982
    @badbob1982 Před 7 měsíci +11

    As someone brought up near Glasgow (where Blackpool was to us what Weston is to Birmingham) and lived for a long time in Bristol, I’d much rather spend time in Weston than in Blackpool. I got off the train in Blackpool a couple of months ago on a beautiful summers evening. I was just out for a day out with no destination in mind. I walked out the North station to find two drunks kicking the shit out of each other. I walked down the seafront, took a few photos, then got the train back to Preston.

  • @Eric_Hunt194
    @Eric_Hunt194 Před 7 měsíci +11

    I used to live in Taunton, like everywhere it looks to have suffered in the last decade or so. Top marks for the clever line about the Debenhams being turned into 69 flats!

  • @klarakolarova2118
    @klarakolarova2118 Před 7 měsíci +8

    Love your videos and love the idea of doing an update every year! I think these should be sent to local councils every year 😂 I would love to see more videos about the good towns in each county ❤ keep up the good work!

  • @daveelliott5855
    @daveelliott5855 Před 7 měsíci +5

    To be fair on Bridgy, that Aldi store shut on the Broadway as another larger one was built on the site of the old Blake Hospital between the old police station (now gone) and the old docks. The old hospital on Salmon Parade is a awfull eyesore but At least it has the best (1st) carnival in Europe and well worth watching.

  • @helenayamez
    @helenayamez Před 7 měsíci +3

    I enjoyed this re-visit video, I've visited all of the towns you mention, except Yeovil and you're spot on. Just hope the return vids don't stop you visiting counties you haven't done before because there are loads left to get through! Totally brilliant narration, as usual👍😊

  • @nightfire1266
    @nightfire1266 Před 7 měsíci +11

    Love the idea of re-visiting places, gives a nice extra piece of perspective to see the direction the towns are going.

  • @philipbridge2968
    @philipbridge2968 Před 7 měsíci +9

    Recently moved to Yeovil in a nice spot on edge of town, but agree that the town centre decline is sad. Yeovil also has a bizarre road system with the town dissected into two by a dual carriageway

  • @sophietucker3163
    @sophietucker3163 Před 7 měsíci +7

    Love your succinct, straight to the point narration. Very watchable channel.

  • @jimdavis5230
    @jimdavis5230 Před 7 měsíci +8

    I remember back in 1986 after the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster, they thought about re-naming Cape Canaveral either Chard or Burnham On Sea.

  • @fredstrainandbusvids.
    @fredstrainandbusvids. Před 7 měsíci +3

    I love this video, I think it was great revisiting your first county, and my home county! I can’t believe you have already made your 20th video

  • @tiddles4x4
    @tiddles4x4 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Another excellent video. revisiting an area is not a bad idea as its interesting to se what changes have happened although 1 year is probably too soon. The quality of your work has certainly improved and we look forward to your next installment.

  • @cbcbmad
    @cbcbmad Před 7 měsíci +6

    This revisited series could be a regular thing!
    I was surprised Yeovil didnt make no.1 last time tbh.. the only good thing about that place is that I managed to get out of there.

  • @polymath9372
    @polymath9372 Před 7 měsíci +15

    Absolutely spot-on about the unmitigated ghastliness of Yeovil!
    But *gotten* (US) should be *got* (noble British speak), throughout...

    • @laurastuart3814
      @laurastuart3814 Před 7 měsíci +2

      I noticed that and flinched.

    • @sarahsue42
      @sarahsue42 Před 7 měsíci +1

      Bizarre as it sounds 'gotten' was the standard in England until the late 1500s when 'got' started to take over,finally overtaking 'gotten' around 1700
      Shakespeare used both words, as did Hobbes
      But yes it sounds American to modern British ears

    • @polymath9372
      @polymath9372 Před 7 měsíci

      @@sarahsue42 Yes, I agree entirely - but UK English has evolved continuously since then, so it seems appropriate for a video to use modern English!

    • @emmer82
      @emmer82 Před 7 měsíci +1

      'Gotten' is used in the South West, where I presume Mr Turdtowns is from (as am I). It is not specifically American.

    • @richardgale1287
      @richardgale1287 Před měsícem

      become?

  • @michaelgeorge3758
    @michaelgeorge3758 Před 7 měsíci +6

    What the he'll has happened to Yeovil moved to Hereford from frome in 2002. Loved visiting Yeovil back then family lived in hewish😊

  • @danchanner7887
    @danchanner7887 Před 7 měsíci +5

    Yeovil was positively buzzing 10 years ago. Look at it now. Wow.

  • @hosephanerothe1440
    @hosephanerothe1440 Před 7 měsíci +5

    Well done WSM! Keep up the quality content , had to explain the show to my wife, she'd not even heard of Crap Towns back in the day ... Kids today 🤷🏻‍♂️

  • @emmer82
    @emmer82 Před 7 měsíci +6

    I'm Somerset born and bred (from Chard but if anyone asks, I'm from Ilminster - did live in Ilminster for 8 years). My mum lives in Yeovile/Yobsville. Horrible bloody place. I currently live in Devon and can't wait to move back to Somerset. (BTW, you missed that Shepton Mallet is referred to as Shit 'n' Smellit)

  • @colin5021
    @colin5021 Před 7 měsíci +7

    Although one year is a bit soon, you're getting better at making videos so revisiting early ones is fine. Keep up the good work!

  • @jameskvo
    @jameskvo Před 7 měsíci +9

    Love your videos, Mr Turd! Top video tip: make sure your drone, handheld and/or phone camera are all shooting at the same frame rate (e.g. 30 fps). That'll prevent juddering like at 2:54.

  • @niceuneasy
    @niceuneasy Před 7 měsíci +2

    Its good to revisit and see what changes have happened good or bad!! 😎👍

  • @anitamaney1864
    @anitamaney1864 Před 7 měsíci +13

    I've lived in Somerset most of my life and unfortunately you've hit the nail on the head with most of these towns. They are well known in being neglected and rundown. Social mobility in Somerset is the worst in the UK, so young people in these towns must feel pretty depressed about their prospects. Average house prices, even in Highbridge, are way outside most young peoples' financial scope. Heyho at least we've made it to a CZcams video!! Woohoo! 😀

  • @paulstuart9465
    @paulstuart9465 Před 7 měsíci +5

    It's not neglect or incompetence. It's deliberate and long planned.

  • @dark108x
    @dark108x Před 7 měsíci +7

    I was born in Yeovil and left when I was 16. My dad in Yeovil and sisters in London showed me there was a better world to escape to. That was the mid-90s, and the town had always been rough and ready, almost everyone I knew who'd been out after dark had been beaten up or threatened at some point, especially if you were of the 'grunger' or 'studenty' appearance, as at a time of few visible ethnic minorities there, you'd do as the target of the aggressive yokel for being seen as letting the fine character of the town down.
    Much of Yeovil's bad reputation was because as a place surrounded by beautiful villages and countryside, the mix of post-industrial decay and clumsy 1970s expanded-town planning made for a messy town out of character with it's surrounds. Indeed, photos from the 60s show it to be a town of quite some charm, before the 15th century George Inn was demolished for road widening, and Bides Park had a dual carriageway ploughed through it. Many blame the Quedam opening in the 80s, but as a kid from that era, I loved that there were proper modern shops in town. And the wider area was not poor, so the town did have a bit of a cache, epitomised by the Denner's department store, which became Beales and is seen sadly derelict in this film.
    I dropped in 10 years ago late on a Thursday afternoon. Absolutely dead, bar a few down and outs lurking around. I live now in Netherlands, where online shopping has also hit high street sales, but a different with where I live now and Yeovil, is that the bar/restaurant sectors is filling in the gaps. This is a pretty town to wander around in in an evening, whether you're getting a drink outside a cafe, or an ice cream, or just teenager sharing a bottle of cola with a friend. I can't imagine anyone wanting to go out after shopping hours for a stroll around Yeovil after the shops close, despite the good efforts of some, the unattractive town and intimidating empty atmosphere enough to scare anyone to stay at home with Netflix and a takeaway.
    I hear complaints from places like Bolton or Wolverhampton, that given proximity to better shopping options in the nearby bigger cities, they've struggled to compete. Yeovil however isn't near anywhere at all, never mind anywhere more attractive. It's like everyone has just finally given up on the town.

    • @MeiinUK
      @MeiinUK Před 6 měsíci

      Why can't it be that way ? Netherlands also had its own issues too. So does Amsterdam. Same with prostitution etc.. and even women trafficking too. But if you don't say it, and doesn't actually do something. Then it would always be that way. Do you mean that cos you have families there.. and need to tow the line, such that, it feels quite suffocating you mean ?.... Sure.. many cities can feel that way, and everybody has families... issues. So sometimes, a bit of space or to travel somewhere and then back home, makes things so much more different. Polite kids hanging out with their mates, are... it is a created space.. it has to be taught. And only if your family raised you up as a vertical family unit etc. Without generational issues or borders etc. Your families should've encouraged you to compete with other kids on national sports.. or whatever whatever... That should've been so much more different than anything... to be fair...

  • @rexzs794
    @rexzs794 Před 7 měsíci +5

    Yeovil is so fucking sad, I live right next to it and work for a charity there. Our Pride event this year had the route changed so many times because new places were being dug up and you can’t get anywhere in the middle of town.
    Even worse is that the lads who were digging up the bandstand hadn’t been told that it was built on top of some horrendous old public toilets. THAT is not what you want to find sealed under brick since the 90s.
    We have a lot of people working really hard to make the area better but the mismanagement of the ‘revitalisation’ has been awful. They completely ignored disabled people saying that the changes would make things even more difficult for them… and now that the theatre is stalling, everything has to take place in Westlands, which is essentially a gymnasium with a sound system that’s the only accessible leisure venue around.
    Fucking pray for us that are too poor to leave here.

  • @jessegee179
    @jessegee179 Před 7 měsíci +10

    These towns have some beautiful historic buildings and even the sixties architecture can be exciting if cleaned up and full of purpose. God it’s depressing to see what we have, and don’t care about anymore.

  • @MareSerenitis
    @MareSerenitis Před 7 měsíci +2

    Revisiting places is interesting.
    And it's nice to find floaters like Weston bobbing up to the surface for another go.

  • @ratinatrap7815
    @ratinatrap7815 Před 7 měsíci +14

    I always find these videos so depressing and yet I always have to watch....🙂 I think my hometown is bad and then I realize there are other places much worse !!!!

  • @SINTD_666
    @SINTD_666 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I’ve lived in yeovil for over 20 years. I’ve got to admit, your assessment of it is pretty spot on.

  • @mandthepand1
    @mandthepand1 Před 7 měsíci +14

    This is hilarious! I was born and bred in Taunton and moved to Burnham at 18 (so nice that isn't on the list). I totally agree about Highbridge. I moved to the US at age 49 and I'm so glad I don't live in a country that is so run down. Let's face it - pretty much all towns in the UK are in a state! I feel bad about how much England has gone down the pan

    • @matthewsaunders8774
      @matthewsaunders8774 Před 6 měsíci +2

      Um, you are kidding right? If Turdtowns went to the US and did a series the guy would need to move there, spend his life doing daily video's, then pass the gauntlet to his children to carry on, and that still wouldn't touch the surface. I went to California and did the Pacific coast highway and some of the places we drove past made these ones in the video look positively appealing, don't even start with LA, the place has more people living homeless in Downtown than the most of the populations of these Somerset towns.

    • @mandthepand1
      @mandthepand1 Před 6 měsíci

      Well California is an awful example of the US. Doesn't represent the country at all. 😂😂

    • @matthewsaunders8774
      @matthewsaunders8774 Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@mandthepand1 🤣 no not at all, it's only the largest most populous state in the US, how about all the coal towns in the Appalachian mountains, the town's around Detroit after the car industry died, I suppose Flints lead lined drinking water pipes are all good, I love the US, live in the UK but still seem to know more about the country than you do?!

    • @mandthepand1
      @mandthepand1 Před 6 měsíci

      Well why are so many people leaving California in their droves to come to States like Arizona Nevada and utah? There's obviously a reason why! California may have a lot of people but again I say it's not a true representation of the people of the USA. There are so many cities and towns throughout the whole country that are completely different. I am so glad that I no longer live in the UK. It's going down the pan and I feel bad for the Youth and the future generations living there

    • @matthewsaunders8774
      @matthewsaunders8774 Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@mandthepand1 OK, what do all the states you mention have.... Low taxes and lower house prices than California, your going off point, I could have chosen any state in the US and given examples of lots of rundown areas, you slate the UK and say how wonderful the US and not falling apart when the complete opposite is true, oh and give me run down council estates in the UK over daily mass shootings anyday of the week

  • @hulme187
    @hulme187 Před 7 měsíci

    That was a funny video. Keep up the good work!!

  • @AnitaDil
    @AnitaDil Před 7 měsíci +3

    I lived in Trowbridge in Wiltshire for years, used to travel to all these towns and they were lovely. Alongside a lot of towns now, they have all gone downhill and it’s so sad. My mother in law was in a beautiful care home in Stratton on the Fosse in Somerset, awesome little town that was. It was like travelling back in time.

  • @gouwknads4896
    @gouwknads4896 Před 7 měsíci +8

    There is a sewage plant just outside Shepton Mallet, the locals who are not from Shepton call it Shit N Smell It

    • @Mateus-sz4je
      @Mateus-sz4je Před 7 měsíci +2

      There's also a crematorium on the edge, smoking 247 But i aint no coombe laynuur!

  • @AndySuk99
    @AndySuk99 Před 7 měsíci

    Good revisit. Glad my old stomping ground of Weston SM is moving up :-)

  • @jackharrison6771
    @jackharrison6771 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I have been shocked at the state of these parts of Somerset, compared with the situation during 70s-80s. It's just heart breaking to see what inadequate local Councils have done to their areas.
    Keep these videos going please, you're doing a good job of naming and shaming the areas concerned.

  • @isbestlizard
    @isbestlizard Před 7 měsíci +7

    I BET the council sold off EVERTYHING they owned to rent it all back from some private finance bahamas based shell company then OMG why are we bankrupt? ;_;

  • @sophielikesbread
    @sophielikesbread Před 7 měsíci +6

    I live in chard, work in Taunton, go out in Bridgwater and go to the beach in Weston. I think I might be trash.

  • @elisaflore2850
    @elisaflore2850 Před 7 měsíci +6

    Even if a year might not be a very long time the idea of revisiting turd towns is excellent because personally I'm always curious about how things will pan out for them

  • @paulpope5157
    @paulpope5157 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Shepton Mallet, affectionately nicknamed “s**t & Smell-it” by the locals when I lived there 😂😂

  • @nicdoye
    @nicdoye Před 7 měsíci +5

    I mean, you missed 80s shopping centre, the Quedam out again in Yeovil, but you’re still right.

  • @daveb5206
    @daveb5206 Před 7 měsíci +9

    Maybe an idea for over the winter would be to do a peoples vote on the biggest Turdtown in each county you've been that HASN'T featured on the channel? Do a community post asking for suggestions for each county, and make a video, going into a bit more depth like the W-s-M or Penrhys videos, on the one that gets mentioned the most? Would mean new content rather than just revisiting places, and only having to film one town would make life much easier with the short daylight hours?

    • @Turdtowns
      @Turdtowns  Před 7 měsíci

      Excellent idea but it will mean I end up in Bradford or Luton let’s be honest 😂

  • @Magikalic
    @Magikalic Před 7 měsíci +18

    I grew up in Weston, moved to London 9 years ago but I go back to visit my parents about twice a year, and you're right it has potential but it's incredibly frustrating that it's not being realised. It's still a shame that they tore out the old Dolphin Square, the land around the new complex is still barren.

    • @saiyaniam
      @saiyaniam Před 7 měsíci +1

      Yeah, there used to be intresting shops selling lots of different things, now all gone.

    • @stevepettifer4896
      @stevepettifer4896 Před 7 měsíci +1

      when I lived there, one of the big problems was the council were willing to take government money for housing drug addicts, but all that happened was there were more addicts, more dealers and more mess like needles and condoms all over the place. Lots of seaside towns have suffered, but really and truly Weston could, and should, do better.

  • @hendrixinfinity3992
    @hendrixinfinity3992 Před 5 měsíci

    I played the Orange Box in Yeovil in 2011 supporting some regional touring bands, they would put on some bigger bands like Canterbury and We Are The Ocean. That venue closing was the beginning of the end for Yeovil

  • @lorenzbroll0101
    @lorenzbroll0101 Před 7 měsíci +8

    I just not until now realised how many market towns in the UK have completely gone down the tube - no way will they recover.
    I suspect most of those shops need a change of use to be residential accommodation.

    • @psyber_spaced1192
      @psyber_spaced1192 Před 7 měsíci

      But then what, turn every retail unit into residential accommodation? then what

    • @lorenzbroll0101
      @lorenzbroll0101 Před 7 měsíci

      @@psyber_spaced1192 Play ludo or something?

    • @Anon1370
      @Anon1370 Před 7 měsíci

      no shops no nothing but put residential accomodation just no dentist no doctors no nothing sounds legit uk is on it's way at the speed of light to a recession................

    • @PamelaD963
      @PamelaD963 Před 7 měsíci

      @@psyber_spaced1192you will get everything delivered .
      Not far off that now really.

    • @MiningForPies
      @MiningForPies Před 7 měsíci +2

      @@psyber_spaced1192then people might be able to afford somewhere to live?

  • @williamhall667
    @williamhall667 Před 7 měsíci +5

    some folk up here in the East mids think that having a wetherspoons means your on the up and that your town has made it. lol

  • @sn00pgreen
    @sn00pgreen Před 7 měsíci +4

    bloody hell..Yeovil..I lived there and to be honest have always loved that area..what a state

  • @captainiceberg8637
    @captainiceberg8637 Před 7 měsíci +7

    Yeovil also has one of the top 5 worst nightclubs in the country.

  • @therealisation5500
    @therealisation5500 Před 7 měsíci

    I had two holidays in Weston in the 70s one year there was a heat wave 78 maybe many happy memories of going around the local area and seeing different places

  • @jmyogi17
    @jmyogi17 Před 7 měsíci +9

    Please revisit Devon and cornwall

    • @tobiasz6613
      @tobiasz6613 Před 7 měsíci +1

      I once went on a job where the guys were a mixture of Devon and Cornish - the scone based sectarianism was unreal!

    • @chucky2316
      @chucky2316 Před 7 měsíci +1

      ​@tobiasz6613 lmao its pastys now since they have said the first one was invented in devon 😂😂😂, as a devon guy youre comment made me chuckle 😂

  • @jonathanbrown4465
    @jonathanbrown4465 Před 7 měsíci +5

    very sad to see that. I lived in Somerset in the 80s and 90s and knew most of those towns pretty well. They all look to have seriously declined since then. In particular Yeovil looked terrible. I realise people's shopping habits have changed but so much more could have been done by the local councils and planners to counter the decline.

  • @Lastbus511
    @Lastbus511 Před 7 měsíci +7

    Most of the population lives in crap areas from what I've seen. There was a fourteen four high-rise block of flats near where I live that became a suicide hub for depressed people from miles around. I saw someone drop from them, and it was horrible to see. Yeah, the council decided to demolish them because of that. It was every other week it happened. People who lived there were traumatised because of it. Crazy.

  • @MikeSmith-jv1zu
    @MikeSmith-jv1zu Před 7 měsíci +3

    Guys you do a FAB job... maybe we have the same sense of humour 😅....keep it up

  • @petrolhead1077
    @petrolhead1077 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Bridgwater has a new Aldi!
    And a video on the best and worst parts of Bristol would be great!

  • @reefcake6629
    @reefcake6629 Před 7 měsíci +6

    Damn Yeovil has changed for the worse

  • @RJRC_105
    @RJRC_105 Před 7 měsíci +1

    When are you coming to Essex? Basildon, Harlow, Burnham on Sea, Grays, and Jaywick would all be up your alley.

  • @94Angelwing
    @94Angelwing Před 7 měsíci

    I knew exactly where you were from the thumbnail! :D

  • @Coderedgamers2
    @Coderedgamers2 Před 7 měsíci +3

    I’m surprised that there was no towns near bath on this. Was fully expecting Radstock or Peasedown to be near the list at least. I wonder if they were in contention.

    • @HitlerMr-gi7kk
      @HitlerMr-gi7kk Před 7 měsíci

      Radstocks dull as shit, went to college for a bit there years ago, bus stop is the best bit

    • @Pete-eh8yo
      @Pete-eh8yo Před měsícem

      My thoughts as well. Grew up in Westfield, so know Radstock and Peasedown very well. Should add MSN as well 🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @pljpmas1623
    @pljpmas1623 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I had to stay in Yeovil back in 2019. Even then it was dire. No decent resturants, and ended up back at the premier inn resturant, and there was a birthday party meal happening 😂

  • @SS-zz4pi
    @SS-zz4pi Před 7 měsíci +4

    In Yeovil, Glovers Walk and surrounds are up for sale. They may as well just flatten the bottom of town and start again. Perfect summing-up of the dump, Mr Turd - the Lib-Dem Council has wrecked the place and their incompetence is staggering. But at least the tree growing out of a building halfway down Middle Street has been removed.... If M&S closed, that really would be the last nail in the coffin.

    • @richardgale1287
      @richardgale1287 Před měsícem

      Bah! LibDem council. Should have voted Tory. They know how to run things.

  • @gegwen7440
    @gegwen7440 Před 7 měsíci +3

    Lived in Shepton for a spell recently and found it a reasonable place with mostly friendly people.
    The Tesco is though the worst I have been in except the one that used to be in Chatham Kent, now that was on another level of nastiness.
    Nice park there that has recently had a big makeover for the kids area.
    Some nice shops and cafe’s along the high street as well.
    Nice new council building of course with no expense spared by the look of it & “lots” of parking that can only ever be used by those who who work there. (Still a sorry symptom of most UK towns now)
    On balance not a turdtown IMO

  • @matthewjames1114
    @matthewjames1114 Před 7 měsíci +5

    I think these places are all lovely compared to where I live in Reading and cheaper to boot

  • @diamond66ist
    @diamond66ist Před 7 měsíci +3

    Coming from London i always visualised these areas as quaint little towns !

  • @adriancooper8820
    @adriancooper8820 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I live in Bridgwater and i agree with your comments about Bridgwater !!

  • @jeffrussell7753
    @jeffrussell7753 Před 7 měsíci

    Well done mate You made me laugh !

  • @andrewrowland965
    @andrewrowland965 Před 7 měsíci

    Great stuff as always not been to those places in a while your commentary and video are excellent and your presentation is just suited to the town
    As regarding revisiting how about Exeter the council only look after the town and the Quay rubbish and unkept green areas are ugly and the lack of bins and public toilets is a disgrace here yhey only inyin new builds and the money will bring and closing roads whether the area want or not Exeter is a Turdtown I could go on but you know your stuff

  • @mattmill30
    @mattmill30 Před 7 měsíci +4

    If you intend to do yearly reviews, then it would be worth summarising at the end of each town segment what improvements you want to see within the next 12 months

  • @josephmcdonald4602
    @josephmcdonald4602 Před 7 měsíci +3

    Really like this idea! Don't know if it would be more work but I'd be interested in an 'honourable mentions' section where you quickly highlight the towns that have fallen off the list entirely. Because I think when a town no longer qualifies as a turd, that should be celebrated :)

    • @Turdtowns
      @Turdtowns  Před 7 měsíci

      Yea it would be a bit more work but a brief mention would be possible. I genuinely visit every place in the same day and I check out other places. For example looked at midsomer Norton and banwell for this video but they didn’t make the cutz

  • @user-je3wl2tq9y
    @user-je3wl2tq9y Před 7 měsíci

    Keep up the good work 😄

  • @kenmay1572
    @kenmay1572 Před 7 měsíci +4

    Large out of town shopping villages have destroyed the high street in many cities and towns, but hey ho one cannot blame the retailers

  • @nickky2268
    @nickky2268 Před 7 měsíci

    Bridgwater aldi has not actually shut, it's moved to a new building by the docks. 😊

  • @martinvaux9843
    @martinvaux9843 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Had to stay in Yeovil not long ago for a family funeral. Hadn't been for about a decade, and couldn't believe how much worse it had become - and it wasn't exactly lovely to begin with!

  • @barryalexander2909
    @barryalexander2909 Před 7 měsíci +4

    Lived in Glastonbury for 3 years after visiting the town on many weekends. I agree with the love/hate comment. I loved the countryside, running on the droves and over the Tor. Would be interesting to see what the crime rate consists of - we always felt safe there.

    • @geoffadams5537
      @geoffadams5537 Před 7 měsíci +2

      Glastonbury,in Somerset,one of the towns on the long closed Somerset and Dorset route. It would be nice if that section of the line could be restored

    • @Turdtowns
      @Turdtowns  Před 7 měsíci

      @@geoffadams5537it’s impossible Unfortauntely mostly built on

  • @TheEasystart
    @TheEasystart Před 7 měsíci +1

    I live close to Bridgwater and am happy I'm not close to Yeovil. Well done to Rishi and the boys!

  • @mrp9023
    @mrp9023 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I moved to Taunton Somerset from South East Essex 7 uears ago. Funny because we love it jere and think the Towns are very pretty for the most part. You should see where i come from if you think these towns are bad! 😂

  • @SaxonSuccess
    @SaxonSuccess Před 7 měsíci +2

    It was a pretty decent place in the day. And then the Royal Naval Air Station shut up shop itself.
    That took a lot of income out of the town. Difficult to stop the slide now...

  • @jessehalper
    @jessehalper Před 7 měsíci +4

    An honorable mention for Frome perhaps? As an expat in Australia I wonder if this rot can be halted and reversed

  • @michaelj3282
    @michaelj3282 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Get to Cleveland/Teeside, and believe me Yeovil looks paradise. Port Clarence anyone, or the Ford Estate in Sunderland?

  • @jobeecorp.5083
    @jobeecorp.5083 Před 7 měsíci +2

    I am struggling to see the places of opportunity in the UK these days. A video displaying the areas where one can still start a small business and have a good life maybe worth doing as it seems so rare!

  • @MyrddnWllt
    @MyrddnWllt Před 7 měsíci +3

    Somerset is unbelievably beautiful and also full of complete holes. The villages are still beautiful… probably not for long.

  • @dodgydruid
    @dodgydruid Před 7 měsíci +3

    You can actually blame greed and idiocy on places like Shepton, closing down the lifeline Somerset & Dorset railway just cornholed these places along the route, only have to look at Wincanton once a thriving growing hub of England's milk collection and delivery to the cities, now barely is able to keep shops open with little amenity for the locals. Radstock is also easily seen for its major decline, Shepton too massively declining. There was a quite sensible move to reopen the line between Frome and Radstock but the council said no despite businesses screaming blue murder for the line to be reinstated.

  • @davidselby6881
    @davidselby6881 Před 7 měsíci +3

    I'm so confused...Have you ever visited Nailsea? 60's town centre (the opening art monument was even removed) filled with charity shops, coffee shops and estate agents ....thats it! Locals do not like the idea of expanding the town...but it needs it, the town is dying!

  • @philnewcomers9170
    @philnewcomers9170 Před 7 měsíci +1

    i wondered when youd get round to Shepton i like shepton for its old world atmousphere much nicer than cadbury heath where i live .there is a nice cafe on the main drag The Madhatters Cafe ttfn&ty

  • @Lawn_Care_Lounge_tv_uk
    @Lawn_Care_Lounge_tv_uk Před 7 měsíci

    We live outside of taunton I've not been in town for about 15 plus years I hate bridgwater family and friends live in bridgwater and it's shit traffic is bad any time of the day
    Great video I've just subscribe to your channel it came up in my feed