The Natwest hole on Bath Street in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. — Photo Nick Price Facebook

LONDON — A hole in a wall outside a bank in the English midlands has been winning rave reviews on travel website TripAdvisor, catapulting the previously unremarkable site to national fame.

The web giant on Monday temporarily suspended reviews for the architectural feature next to a NatWest cash machine in Ilkeston, citing an "influx of review submissions that do not describe a first-hand experience".

The "NatWest hole", as it is known to fans, had been receiving reviews on the site since December 2018, but a recent spate of joke reports propelled it to the town's top attractions.

"I have spent hours admiring the architectural beauty of the NatWest hole," wrote one user.

"I could easily compare to the majestic wonder of Stonehenge or even the Pyramids."

The hole was believed to have been installed to enable customers to see anyone lurking nearby.

Another five-star review called it the "best example of a circular hole I've seen", while a visitor who claimed to have come from Korea especially to see the attraction, rated it more "awe-inspiring" than the Great Wall of China, Eiffel Tower and Grand Canyon.

But others were less impressed, handing it one-star ratings.

"Whilst attempting to wriggle her way through, my wife (who is a larger lady) became trapped solid for a terrifying 45 minutes! Were it not for the local fire brigade... she may still be there now!" warned one disgruntled tourist.

It is not the first time pranksters have duped the travel rating website.

A fake restaurant called "The Shed" became London's top eating venue on TripAdvisor in 2017. — AFP