View of the main street of Chester, UK.(Image: Getty)While many tourists flock to the UK’s famous cities, an American travel blogger insists that there are hidden gems scattered across the nation that visitors often overlook. Julie Falconer, a travel writer known as A Lady In London, is originally from California. In her blog, she stated: “Cities like London have achieved international stardom, but a lot of Britain’s cities get overlooked.
“Some of the most beautiful places I’ve discovered in this country have been the least recommended, and I’ve definitely been laughed at when I’ve told people I’m going to visit them.” Her top pick for the most “underrated” city offers a wealth of culture, history, and character without the usual throngs of tourists.
The city she singles out is Chester, located in the northwest of England, approximately an hour and 20 minutes from Manchester by car.
Chester is rich in history (Image: Getty)Why you should visit Chester
Julie explained: “It amazes me that so few people I know have been to Chester, and surprises me even more that so few of them have heard of it. But this city in England’s Cheshire is not only one of the most beautiful in the UK, but also one of the richest in history.
“From a Roman wall to half-timbered facades, a soaring cathedral to medieval towers, Chester has wow factor. Add to that pretty streets with colourful doors and great coffee shops, and this city is worth a special trip.”
Chester’s rich history
Chester’s heritage stretches back to 79AD, when Roman legions founded it as Fortress Diva, deriving its name from the River Dee. Sections of its Roman defences still stand today, demonstrating its previous importance as one of Britain’s most crucial settlements, according to Chester.com.
Chester Cathedral opened 1541(Image: Getty)Whilst its harbour eventually silted up, traces can still be discovered near the city’s historic racecourse, the Roodee, which boasts the record of being the world’s oldest still in operation.
Over the centuries, Chester evolved into a county town, boasting Georgian terraces for wealthy merchants, a Victorian Gothic Town Hall, and the celebrated Eastgate Clock, now Britain’s second most photographed timepiece after Big Ben.
Today, the city is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and historical importance, from Roman amphitheatres and medieval Chester Rows to the cathedral and traditional pubs, offering countless chances to discover its captivating heritage.
Chester has been named a ‘must visit place'(Image: Getty)Chester is “the world’s most beautiful”
Chester has secured the crown of “world’s most beautiful city” this year, overtaking Venice, Italy for the top position. The research examined the golden ratio of architectural features across cities worldwide.
Utilising images from Google Street View to assess architectural components, each destination was awarded a beauty score out of 100, with Chester attaining an exceptional rating of 83.7. According to TripAdvisor, Chester Zoo is well worth a visit too.
“There are also many brilliant restaurants in Chester, but also a large number of traditional English pubs, many of which serve reasonably priced hot food for meals out.”
A blogger from the US who has travelled across the UK has listed nine cities she urges people to visit.(Image: Getty)In summary, A Lady In London revealed that her journeys have shown her not to allow preconceptions about a destination to put you off exploring it.
She discovered that maintaining an open mind brings abundant rewards, and she hopes others will have the same experience.
Based on A Lady In London’s findings, the top 9 underrated cities are:ChesterLeicesterWellsBirminghamGlasgowLeedsNewcastleCardiffNottingham