A small but perfectly formed city with more than 2,000 years of history is regularly named one of the UK’s most underrated.
However, it’s also been named the “world’s most beautiful city”, according to a mathematical formula that artists and scholars have been aware of since ancient times.
Chester has been home to Romans, raided by Vikings, and conquered by Normans.
Nowadays, it attracts thousands of much friendlier visitors but as must-visit UK destinations go, it probably still isn’t as high up on people’s bucket lists as the likes of York, Oxford, Bath, or Cambridge.
Consequently, the travel experts at Wanderlust magazine have named it the UK’s most underrated city. The Telegraph also called it “a touch underrated” – and described it as “the surprising city that’s better than Oxford and Norwich”.
Chester is famous for its historic red stone walls and a shopping district filled with magnificent half-timber Tudor buildings.
It’s been named the UK’s most haunted city – and it’s home to the UK’s second most visited zoo, after London Zoo,
The northwest gem is also a brilliant place for shopping, sightseeing and eating out.
Chester boasts glorious architecture. As previously mentioned, recent research revealed a high percentage of its buildings align with the “golden ratio” – the mathematical ratio of proportions which is believed to be the most aesthetically pleasing.
In fact, the study found that little old Chester had a higher Golden ratio score than Venice, meaning it was ranked as the most beautiful city in the world.
It’s also home to the most complete Roman city walls in Britain and one of the UK’s oldest churches – St John’s, which was founded in AD689 by the king of Mercia. There is also an 11th-century castle – and a 16th-century Cathedral that, earlier this year, hosted a Royal wedding.
If architecture and history don’t float your boat, perhaps a sightseeing cruise on the beautiful River Dee will. However, if retail therapy is more your thing, Chester is also a shopaholic’s dream.
The Rows – the 700-year-old- two-tiered timber-framed galleries that line the main streets of the city – are filled with independent shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Chester’s award-winning market also offers a vibrant selection of produce and goods.
If you’re looking for high street brands, the Grosvenor Shopping Centre has you covered – as this large shopping precinct is undercover. However, like the rest of Chester, it also exudes period charm.
And, once you’ve shopped until you dropped, you can refuel with some of the country’s best food – as Chester is renowned for the quality of its restaurants.