How TripAdvisor made THIS a number one attraction…
A 70 metre long Perspex tunnel became an internet sensation after thousands of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor.
Bude Tunnel, which links the car par to Bude Sainsbury’s, is supposed to be a functional shelter for shoppers moving between the car park and the store – as the car park is the opposite side of the building to the entrance, which meant in rain, shoppers have a distance to cover to get inside.
But it ironically went viral for being Bude’s top attraction (once upon a time, now it’s forth).
The TripAdvisor effect
There’s long been discussion surrounding how easily TripAdvisor can be skewed, and this is a clear indication of how!
People began leaving rave reviews for the tunnel as a joke and – it spiralled.
Now, the description of the tunnel (probably AI-generated) doesn’t seem to understand it’s a joke…
“The only tunnel Bude has to offer is open to the public free of charge, walk from the Sainsbury’s car park to Crooklets Road completely undercover, protected from the elements whilst maintaining your view to the spectacular surroundings of Bude. Consisting of 36 metal arches and over 70m long, nowhere else in Bude can you walk this far undercover in a continuos straight line, all ages are welcome”
The reviews include:
“Having read the reviews, we had to visit the tunnel and it did not disappoint. The craftsmanship is exquisite and the majesty of the experience is second to none even on a grey rainy day in May. The 6 1/2 hour traffic ridden drive from the south east was worth every minute to see this man made wonder!”
“Spectacular engineering. Well worth the detour from my trip to stop off and explore the tunnel. Panoramic vista from one side, well sheltered from the elements. It wasn’t very warm on the day I visited, and a bit wet outside, but the locals were very friendly and a young man offered to give me a tour for a tenner. As the entrance itself is free, this seemed a very reasonable deal and I do like to encourage enterprise in the youth of today. He pointed out special features of interest, and encouraged me to walk slowly through to prolong the experience. Very handy near car parking and access to food and drink. Would visit again.”
Some people didn’t seem to be in on the joke, however:
“You must be joking! This is just a supermarket walk way! Not a tunnel with views, this needs to be removed as an attraction as it it is not.”
“Shopping att Sainsbury’s and it provided us a dry passage… A tourist attraction? Common, give me a break! From there a great walk/view to the beach…”
“Do you know what, i just don’t know why people waste their time trying to be funny and trying to highlight a plastic walkway with panels missing, when there are so many nice things to review in Bude.”
“Ha Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Is this a joke???? How is this broken plastic tube voted number two of rainy day things to do in Cornwall? Is Sainsbury’s paying for this position??? Just to be clear this is short tunnel to shield you from the rain from the car park to the entrance at Sainsbury’s and it is falling apart. I’d say about 15 seconds of walking time in your ‘experience’”
“I live nearby and trust me, this is NOT an attraction by any stretch of the imagination. It is a perspex tunnel from Sainsbury’s car park to the store entrance. Perfect for keeping you and your shopping dry during inclement weather! I think you’ll be very disappointed if it is meant as a day trip visit. Upto you!”
“It’s just a walk way with nothing to see at the side of a supermarket you walk through it in about 2 minutes surely someone is having a joke”
“Honestly don’t know how this is at number one on things to do. It is basically a plastic tunnel to walk through at the side of Sainsbury’s. Nothing special about it at all. Not worth a visit. Only went as we popped into Sainsbury’s”
(Source of all reviews: TripAdvisor)
In Bude, the tunnel’s gained a bit of a cult following, with a Facebook page and many social media posts popping up about the structure.
Sainsbury’s does decorate it for Christmas, so if you’re going to visit at any time of the year, it may well be then!
Let’s hope it never faces the same fate as the Rusty Pole in Exmouth, which was torn down by South West Water (much to the horror of the Rusty Pole Appreciation Society). A Totnes pothole was also once made a tourist attraction, although most locals were pleased when it eventually got filled in.
