'Spectacular' rusty pole in countryside becomes 'breathtaking' tourist spot

04 January 2024 , 16:42

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Cinderford's big rusty pole has set pulses racing on Tripadvisor with reveiwers breathlessly calling it transcendental (Image: Tom Wren SWNS)

People have been queuing up to heap praise upon the UK’s newest tourist attraction – a big rusty pole in a field.

Sightseers in Gloucestershire have been spellbound by the “spectacular” sight, with Tripadvisor reviews hailing the pole as “breathtaking”. The pole, on Littledean road in Cinderford, stands amid green fields in the rural area. Reviewers have described the structure as "breathtaking", "ornate", "mysterious" - as well as "soul enriching", "mesmeric" and "transcendental".

So strong is the allure of the rusty pole that it has eclipsed many other tourist attractions in nearby Cinderford. Trip advisor’s list of the top 10 things to do in Cinderford, a town of nearly 9,000 people, features the big rusty pole in at number four, beating out a local cinema, a fishing lake and clay pigeon shooting range.

It was unable to knock Mallards Pike, a "beautiful lakeside" from the top spot, or unseat Littledean Jail, an 18th Century prison from number two. However the rusty pole’s reviews speak to the quality of the attraction.

The pole on Littledean Road in Cinderford, Gloucestershire has been likened to the pyramids and the lost Incan city of machu pichu (Tom Wren SWNS)

One reviewer, who claimed they were a "paid member of the UK pole society for many years" has called the site a "historic forest landmark". They added: "I've admired countless poles constructed of various materials during my four decades adorning this marvelous planet but this quite possibly is the finest.

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"The intricate detail of the casting at the base of the pole is particularly triumphant, the shaft slender yet strong and the top so neatly terminated it could only have been done by the finest craftsmen to walk this land. I find myself now asking why And how has it taken me so long to have the cinderford rusty pole in my life."

Another said a visit to the pole will transform your life, stating: "Prepare for an experience that will change your outlook on life." The pole has even been used as a visit for a bonding work trip, admits one reviewer.

According to James, the group had a "lunch and learn the team will be talking about in years to come". Chard, who wrote a five-star review deeming the pole "awe-inspiring", said: "This ranks up among the pyramids and the lost Incan city of machu pichu as one of the true wonders of the world. Get there early to avoid the tour buses and pushy souvenir sellers."

However, one person was less than impressed and in the only negative review posted on Tripadvisor, stated the pole is "not a genuine attraction". They wrote: “Don’t be fooled by this; it’s not a genuine attraction. Just a sewer vent pipe - not even that unusual.”

Tom Bevan