ITV documentary Britain’s Greatest National Treasures left viewers scratching their heads when its epic countdown of the nation’s best-loved places appeared to almost entirely miss out the North of England.
Some thought the programme, hosted by broadcaster Trevor McDonald and presenter Julia Bradbury, had been given the wrong title – and should have instead been called “Down South’s” or even “London’s” Greatest National Treasures.
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Of the 20 landmarks listed in the countdown, collated via a public vote, 15 were in Southern England.
Scotland had two places in the list, Loch Ness (8th) and Edinburgh Castle (6th), while Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway (13th) and Mt Snowdon in Wales (12th) also featured.
The North of England had just two landmarks in the countdown – Hadrian’s Wall, in 11th place, and the Lake District, 3rd.
On Twitter, viewers demanded to know why the programme didn’t feature more landmarks from the North.
One said: “I feel like there were too many London landmarks in this countdown, there’s lots more to see in the UK.”
Another wrote: “Might as well have called it (mostly) London’s greatest treasures.”
A third tweeted: “#BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures hmm this programme trying to whip up tourism for London?!”
I feel like there was too many London landmarks in this countdown, there's lots more to see in the UK. #BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures
— Jodi (@Jodi_Rushworth) July 18, 2019
Might as well have called it (mostly) Londons greatest treasures.#britainsgreatestnationaltreasures
— Duncan Graham (@seahorsenufc) July 18, 2019
#BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures hmm this programme trying to whip up tourism for London?!
— Jan (@JanTweetTweets) July 18, 2019
Someone else said: “@ITV might as well called Britain’s Greatest National Treasures, Down South’s Greatest National Treasures. There’s an hour and a half I’ll never get back.”
“They ventured north of Watford yet?” joked a fifth.
Another, who perhaps mistakenly thought Hadrian’s Wall was in Scotland, commented: “So the only reason, according to the voting British public, to visit the north of England is the Lake District…”
@ITV might as well called Britain’s Greatest National Treasures, down south’s Greatest National Treasure. There’s an hour and a half I’ll never get back #BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures
— Joan Hutchinson (@JoanHut63389522) July 18, 2019
They ventured north of Watford yet? I must have nodded off…… 😴#BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures
— Clare M (@clarelouiseann) July 18, 2019
So the only reason, according to the voting British public, to visit the north of England is the Lake District… #BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures
— Bobby H (@bobbyh0315) July 18, 2019
Introducing the landmark that came in first place, Stonehenge, Julia said: “Yes, this is the landmark that got the highest number of votes in our poll.”
Trevor added: “It’s also one of the oldest – probably 5,000 years old.”
Julia continued: “And it’s not just one of the most famous landmarks in the UK. It’s probably one of the most famous landmarks in the world.”
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Not everyone was turned off, as some viewers admitted they “loved” the list.
Loved watching #BritainsGreatestNationalTreasures each one iconic and stunning
— Bev Wright (@TheMSKittylady) July 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/clarabellebs/status/1151960046105968640
The full countdown included, in descending order: Kew Gardens, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, the British Museum, St Michael’s Mount, Westminster Abbey, the Roman Baths, Giant’s Causeway, Mt Snowdon, Hadrian’s Wall, White Cliffs of Dover, St Paul’s Cathedral, Loch Ness, Jurassic Coast, Edinburgh Castle, Cheddar Gorge, Tower of London, Lake District, Tower Bridge and Stone Henge.
ED! has contacted ITV for comment.
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