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Countless visitors to the UK gravitate towards familiar cities, yet an American travel blogger maintains there are overlooked treasures scattered throughout the nation that deserve recognition. Julie Falconer, a travel writer who runs the blog A Lady In London, hails from California.
She began: "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 top pick for the most "underrated" city delivers abundant culture, heritage, and character minus the typical tourist hordes. The distinguished city in question: Chester.
The city sits in England's northwest, roughly a 45-minute drive from Liverpool and an hour and 20-minute journey from Manchester.
Why Chester deserves your attention
The Lady observes: "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 heritage dates back to 79AD, when Roman legions established it as Fortress Diva, taking its name from the River Dee. Remnants of its Roman fortifications still survive, showcasing its former status as one of Britain's most significant settlements, according to Chester.com..
Although its port eventually became silted, traces persist near the city's historic racecourse, the Roodee, which remains the world's oldest continuously operating track.
Throughout the centuries, Chester evolved into a county town, featuring Georgian terraces for affluent traders, a Victorian Gothic Town Hall, and the renowned Eastgate Clock, now Britain's second most photographed timepiece behind Big Ben.
Today, the city is renowned for its architecture and legacy, from Roman amphitheatres and medieval Chester Rows to the cathedral and historic taverns, providing numerous opportunities to explore its fascinating heritage.
Chester is "the world's most beautiful"
Chester has been declared the "world's most beautiful city" this year, surpassing Venice, Italy for the premier position. Research analysed the golden ratio of architecture in cities globally.
Gathering images from Google Street View, examining architectural features, each location received a beauty rating of up to 100, with Chester achieving an outstanding score of 83.7.
According to TripAdvisor, Chester Zoo merits a visit as well. "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 her final thoughts, A Lady In London revealed that her globetrotting adventures have taught her the importance of not allowing preconceived notions about a destination to dissuade you from exploring it.
She discovered that maintaining an open mind can lead to rich rewards and she hopes others will share in this experience.
According to A Lady In London, the top 9 underappreciated cities are: Chester Leicester Wells Birmingham Glasgow Leeds Newcastle Cardiff Nottingham