Whilst countless tourists head to the UK’s renowned cities, an American travel blogger maintains that there are treasures dotted throughout the country that visitors frequently miss. The blogger and travel writer, Julie Falconer, known as A Lady In London, originally hails from California .
On 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 number one choice for the most “underrated” city boasts abundant culture, heritage, and charm minus the typical crowds of tourists. The city she highlights is Chester.
READ MORE: Beautiful lakeside town is an adventure hub with rafting, hiking, and kayaking
READ MORE: I started doing my food shop at Lidl to save money — I ended up spending more
Chester sits in northwest England, roughly 45 minutes by car from Liverpool and an hour and 20 minutes from Manchester.
Chester is rich in history -Credit:Getty
Why you should visit Chester
Julie said: “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.”
A blogger from the US who has travelled across the UK has listed nine cities she urges people to visit. -Credit:Getty
Chester’s rich history
Chester’s heritage dates back to 79AD, when it was established as Fortress Diva by Roman legions, taking its name from the River Dee. Parts of its Roman defences are still visible today, showcasing its historical significance as one of Britain’s key settlements, as per Chester.com..
Although its harbour has since silted up, remnants can still be found near the city’s historic racecourse, the Roodee, which holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest still in operation.
Over the years, Chester transformed into a county town, featuring Georgian terraces for affluent merchants, a Victorian Gothic Town Hall, and the renowned Eastgate Clock, now the second most photographed clock in Britain after Big Ben.
Chester Cathedral opened 1541 -Credit:Getty
Today, the city is lauded for its architectural splendour and historical significance, from Roman amphitheatres and medieval Chester Rows to the cathedral and traditional pubs, providing endless opportunities to explore its fascinating heritage.
Chester is “the world’s most beautiful”
This year, Chester has clinched the title of “world’s most beautiful city”, surpassing Venice, Italy for the top spot. The study analysed the golden ratio of architectural features across cities globally.
Using images from Google Street View to evaluate architectural elements, each location was given a beauty score out of 100, with Chester achieving an outstanding rating of 83.7. According to TripAdvisor, Chester Zoo is also well worth a visit.
View of the main street of Chester, UK. -Credit:Getty
“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 notions about a place deter her from exploring it.
She found that keeping an open mind yields plentiful rewards, and she hopes others will share this experience.
According to A Lady In London’s discoveries, the top 9 underrated cities are: