THE best and worst large cities for a holiday in the UK have been revealed, with a “lively” and “buzzing” destination coming out on top.
Consumer watchdog Which? surveyed the experiences of 4,000 members to find the best large city for a UK holiday.
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The consumer experts analysed 4,000 members about their experiences of visiting UK towns and cities in the last two years.
Each of the destinations were ranked based on factors like accommodation, food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, ease of getting around, lack of crowds, and value for money, with each given an overall score out of 100 per cent.
Liverpool nabbed the top spot with an overall score of 84 per cent, beating capital cities like Edinburgh (83 per cent), Belfast (77 per cent), London (76 per cent) and Cardiff (72 per cent).
The northern city was given a full five stars in the cultural sights and tourist attractions category, thanks to its impressive range of cultural and historical attractions that stretch far beyond the Beatles.
It also scored four out of five stars for factors like food and drink, shopping, accommodation, lack of crowds and value for money.
Which? respondents described Liverpool as “lively” and “buzzing” in their answers.
One person said: “It’s got everything you could possibly want. Great for eating places, great for sights and famous places and very friendly people.”
Edinburgh and York tied for second place, with both taking five stars for cultural sights and tourist attractions.
While Edinburgh received four stars for food and drink, shopping, ease of getting around, and overall value for money, York was also awarded four stars in categories like shopping, accommodation, ease of getting around, value for money and food and drink.
At the opposite end of the table, both Swansea and Leicester were given an overall score of 58 per cent.
Derby was the lowest rated large city in the study, as it was awarded an overall score of 56 per cent.
The East Midlands city was awarded two stars for food and drink, accommodation, cultural sights and tourist attractions, shopping and ease of getting around.
One survey respondent said: “There are not a huge number of cultural sights within the city centre, the Museum of Making is worth a visit.”
Despite being the “nightlife capital” of the UK, Leicester also failed to impress and received just two stars for accommodation and ease of getting around.
According to the study from Which?, there were several holidaymakers who faced difficulties using public transport in Leicester.
One person told Which?: “Driving into Leicester is not straightforward for anyone new. It all seems overly complicated.”
It’s got everything you could possibly want
However, the city received four stars for its shopping experience and lack of crowds.
Swansea, which was also awarded an overall score of 58 per cent, received just two stars for food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, shopping, ease of getting around and parking.
The Welsh city was praised for its proximity to the Gower Peninsula, with one visitor saying: “Swansea is OK as a city, but the main draw is the coast and countryside on its doorstep.”
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “Whether you’re after vibrant nightlife, world class museums or a first rate dining experience, our survey shows that the UK has a wealth of fantastic cities just waiting to be explored.
“Liverpool stood out among the UK’s large cities for its fantastic cultural scene and buzzing atmosphere, beating London and the UK’s other capital cities to take first place.
“For those seeking a more laid-back destination, Somerset is the place to be, with both Bath and Wells scoring highly, and each offering a wealth of historical and cultural sights.”
Visit Hull: An underrated northern gem
As a travel writer from Birmingham, I feel like it’s my duty to stand up for underrated towns and cities in the UK.
These destinations are often full of wonderful surprises from award-winning museums to historic landmarks and quirky pubs, they tend to have it all.
I found this to be the case when I visited Hull earlier this year. The city is experiencing something of a renaissance and was even named one of Time Out’s best places to visit in 2024.
Recently, Hull has enjoyed a taste of showbiz with the Old Town being used a backdrop for blockbusters and hit Netflix TV shows like The Crown and Bodies. It’s cobbled streets and narrow alleyways are the perfect dupe for Dickensian London, with filming locations getting their own stop on the It Must Be Hullywood walking trail.
If you’re short on time, make sure to head to Hull Minster where you can climb up 170 steps to reach the roof for sweeping views of the city.
You can read all about my city break to Hull, here.
Meanwhile, an often-ridiculed city in the north of England has the cheapest beers in the country and it’s been named a top place to visit in 2024.
Here’s why the UK’s unlikely new ‘best city’ is my favourite weekend break – it has the friendliest people in the country.
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