Attractions criticised over food

Top tourist attractions are failing to provide healthy food and drink choices, according to a report.

Burgers, chips, fizzy drinks and other junk food are the most common offerings at family-orientated venues.

Fresh water, fruit and vegetables are in short supply, the Soil Association's snapshot survey of 14 attractions found. The organic campaign group named New MetroLand in Gateshead and Camelot Theme Park in Chorley, Lancs, the two worst offenders.

A "secret mum" found no fruit for sale and a "woeful lack" of healthy food and drink on the day she visited them, according to the Taking Our Children for a Ride report. Meal deals at the two sites included processed meat or fish, chips and fizzy drinks.

The researcher also spent three hours 45 minutes trying to find fresh fruit in Blackpool before she eventually unearthed melon served with prawns in a bar.

It took her at least an hour to find any fresh fruit at eight of the 14 venues she visited.

"In general, we found that hot dogs, burgers and chips still dominate the choice on offer," the report says.

"It is also difficult to find a portion of vegetables if you don't care for mushy peas."

Families are "bombarded" with fizzy drink adverts at most of the attractions, the report says.

The Eden Project in Cornwall and the Tower of London scored most highly because they offered fresh fruit and drinking water. The report, compiled in partnership with children's food company Organix, was based on the findings of the "secret mum" who visited 14 tourist attractions in England and Wales.