I visited the UK’s best city - it was so pretty I’d go back tomorrow

I’d never found a reason to visit one well-known city in the north of England before last year - but now I’ve been once, I can’t wait to go back. I’d first learnt more about Chester when a couple of people I knew decided to go to university there. At first, I wondered why they’d choose a smaller city to be a student in, with some of the UK’s bigger cities having so much on offer.

However, after finally making my way to Chester, it’s so easy to see why. The city has consistently been named as one of the best, with plenty of accolades in recent years. It was named "the world's prettiest city" and better than Venice in 2024, before being called one of the "world's most welcoming" in 2025 by Booking.com.

The city has the perfect blend of the old and the new. Its streets are lined with historic Tudor-style buildings and shiny new metal works of architecture.

There are a huge range of quaint coffee shops selling cakes, pasties and juices and hot drinks.

Walking down the main high street, there’s a buzz about the area. It’s a place that feels neither too big nor too small.

Whether it's winter or summer, the city seems to have plenty to do year-round.

For a relatively small city, I was particularly impressed with Chester Market - a place you could visit with friends, family or a partner. The market is filled with unique stalls that maintain an independent feel while also featuring a shiny new building.

It hasn’t lost its sense of history and individuality as many of the traders at its stalls have worked in the city for most of their lives, working at the old market before the new one was built.

The new market opened in 2022 and it’s no doubt a highlight of the area I’m keen to head back to.

Chester is a town that’s easily accessible by train and it’s worth passing through if you’re ever in the surrounding area.

The city has a friendly feel that makes it feel homely - I can imagine it’s a place where people are quite happy to stay once they come across it.

One of Chester’s most famous features is its historic Eastgate Clock, which has become a landmark for the city.

The clock is the second most photographed clock in the UK - after Big Ben.

With summer just kicking off, I’m hoping I’ll be able to make it back to Chester this year - it was so pretty I’d go back tomorrow.