Visitors to the UK tend to focus on famous cities, but an American travel blogger maintains there are overlooked treasures throughout the nation that tourists are missing. Travel writer Julie Falconer, who goes by the name of A Lady In London, is an expat from California.
Opening her blog, she declared: “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 choice for the most “underrated” city provides abundant culture, history, and character without the typical tourist masses. The distinguished city in question: Chester.
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Chester sits in the northwest of England, roughly 45 minutes by car from Liverpool and an hour and 20 minutes from Manchester.
Why you should visit Chester
Chester has been named a ‘must visit place’ -Credit:Getty
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 is rich in history -Credit:Getty
Chester’s rich history
Chester’s heritage dates back to 79AD, when Roman legions established it as Fortress Diva, taking its name from the River Dee. Parts of its Roman fortifications remain standing today, showcasing its former status as one of Britain’s most significant settlements, according to Chester.com..
While its port eventually became silted, remnants can still be found near the city’s ancient racecourse, the Roodee, which holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest still operating.
Chester Cathedral opened 1541 -Credit:Getty
Through the ages, Chester developed into a county town, featuring Georgian terraces for prosperous traders, a Victorian Gothic Town Hall, and the famous Eastgate Clock, now Britain’s second most photographed timepiece after Big Ben.
Currently, the city is renowned for its architectural splendour and historical significance, from Roman amphitheatres and medieval Chester Rows to the cathedral and traditional pubs, providing numerous opportunities to explore its fascinating heritage.
Chester is “the world’s most beautiful”
Chester has claimed the title of “world’s most beautiful city” this year, surpassing Venice, Italy for the premier spot. The study analysed the golden ratio of architectural features across cities globally.
Using imagery from Google Street View to examine architectural elements, each location received a beauty rating out of 100, with Chester achieving an outstanding score of 83.7.
View of the main street of Chester, UK. -Credit:Getty
According to TripAdvisor, Chester Zoo merits 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.”
In conclusion, A Lady In London shared that her travels have taught her not to let preconceived ideas about a place deter you from visiting. She found that when you keep an open mind, the rewards are plentiful, and she hopes others will experience the same.
According to A Lady In London, the top 9 underrated cities are: