Many travellers to the UK stick to well-known cities, but an American travel blogger insists there are hidden gems across the country that people are overlooking. The ‘professional travel’ writer who goes by the name of A Lady In London is an expat from California. Beginning 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 when I’ve told people I’m going to visit them.” Her number one spot for the most “underrated” city offers plenty of culture, history, and atmosphere without the usual tourist crowds. The respectable city at hand: Chester.
Chester is located in the northwest of England, and is a roughly 45-minute drive from Liverpool and an hour and 20-minute trip from Manchester.
Why you should visit Chester
The Lady states: “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 history stretches back to 79AD, when Roman soldiers founded it as Fortress Diva, named after the River Dee. Remnants of its Roman walls still stand, reflecting its past as one of Britain’s most important settlements, according to Chester.com.
Though its harbour eventually silted up, traces remain near the city’s historic racecourse, the Roodee, which is the world’s oldest still in operation.
Over the centuries, Chester became a county town, with Georgian terraces for wealthy merchants, a Victorian Gothic Town Hall, and the iconic Eastgate Clock, now the UK’s second most photographed timepiece after Big Ben.
Today, the city is celebrated for its architecture and heritage, from Roman amphitheatres and medieval Chester Rows to the cathedral and historic pubs, offering countless ways to experience its rich past.
Chester is “the world’s most beautiful”
Chester has been crowned the “world’s most beautiful city” this year, beating Venice, Italy for the top position. Research examined the golden ratio of architecture in cities worldwide.
Compiling images from Google Street View, looking at architectural structures, each place has been given a beauty score of up to 100, and Chester scored an impressive of 83.7.
According to TripAdvisor, Chester Zoo is also worth a visit. “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.
Top 9 underrated cities, according to A Lady In London:
- Chester
- Leicester
- Wells
- Birmingham
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- Newcastle
- Cardiff
- Nottingham
