Many people in UK have never been to tourist attractions in their own area, according to a survey.

More than a third of Londoners have never gone to Buckingham Palace and 20 per cent have never visited the Tower of London, the poll by lastminute.com found.

Around 30 per cent of Londoners have never set foot in Westminster Abbey and 27 per cent have, so far, given Madame Tussauds waxworks museum a miss.

Also, 30 per cent have never been on the London Eye or gone to the Houses of Parliament.

The poll of 2,071 UK adults also revealed that 42 per cent recognised the holiday potential of their local area and would consider taking time off to become a tourist in their own town. Yet only 28 per cent have admitted walking the shoreline of their local beach or visiting a local museum.

Lastminute.com’s UK and Ireland managing director, Mark Maddock, said: “It really comes as no surprise that so many people overlook what’s right on their doorstep when planning a holiday.

“Yet in the current climate and with purse strings tighter than ever, now really is the time for people to discover some of the hidden gems that are on their doorsteps.”