Marble Arch mound closes after just 2 days following disastrous opening that saw it called ‘worst attraction in London’

THE Marble Arch mound has closed just two days after opening as the disastrous attraction was dubbed "the worst in London".

The £2million man-made hill was labelled a "monstrosity" after the reality was very different to what was originally planned.

The new £2m London attraction has been slated as being like a slag heapCredit: SWNS

The mound was meant to offer beautiful views over Hyde Park

The artificial hill was built at the top of Park Lane with views over Hyde Park in a bid to attract tourists back to the West End after the coronavirus pandemic left London deserted.

It opened on Monday after being commissioned by Westminster City Council and costs visitors between £4.50 and £8 to climb.

But by Wednesday morning, it had closed to everyone except those who had bought online tickets in advance, The Times reports.

“It is clear that it is not ready,” a council official admitted.

“People who have paid should have the right to go up. But ultimately we know it’s not ready.

"We acknowledge that. That’s why we are not letting people up.”

Those who turned up were offered a refund and a free second visit later.

'MONSTROSITY'

It comes after the new folly baffled onlookers this week, comparing it to the Teletubby house or a slag heap.

Twitter use Dan Baker went viral after he explained the many problems the mound had, saying: "First, the original plan drawings and the marketing description do not quite match reality.

"It also seems the team who planned it perhaps designed it in winter and forgot about the trees already in the area, which change the impression of it vs the plans."

Instead there is scaffolding all round and at the top of the moundCredit: Alamy

Mots of the views are blocked by the scaffolding or the treesCredit: Alamy

Many called it a "monstrosity" with very few trees and planted on itCredit: Alamy

This means that the "striking views over London and the park" are impossible due to the obstruction of the trees.

He added: "The viewing deck itself is basically like the top of a complicated scaffold, as that is what the entire Mound is built from.

"To be fair, there is a narrow gap in the trees where you can see a bit of the park, but the foreground is somewhat less pretty. And looking East to the park, rather than South, you overlook an odd area full of rubble."

Even worse, guests leave via the "heart of the Mound" which he said was just inside a "25m enormous scaffold".

People went to visit for themselves and were left less than impressed - Emma Wright wrote: "Marble Arch Mound is the worst thing I've ever done in London."

Melissa Fehr said: "I ran to the s*** hill at Marble Arch today and it did not disappoint. It’s literally just scaffolding covered in patchy sod and plastic sheeting."