UK city named ‘world’s prettiest’ has great Christmas market | Travel News | Travel

Last year, a UK city was named the “world’s most beautiful city” by a study that examined the golden ratio of architecture in cities globally. Not only did it beat national hotspots like London and Edinburgh, but it outclassed Venice, Italy to clinch the top spot.

The study, conducted by Online Mortgage Advisor, examined over 2,400 buildings across the UK using Google Street View, measuring how closely their architecture followed the ancient mathematical principle of the 1:1.618 golden ratio. The findings revealed that buildings adhering to this ratio are more visually pleasing to the human eye, and nowhere does this more clearly than in Chester, which scored an impressive 83.7%. That’s higher than Venice (83.3%), London (82%), and every other city surveyed worldwide.

But there’s more to this historic gem than perfect proportions – especially during the festive season.

If you’re searching for a winter getaway that has that classic festive charm without the hustle and bustle of larger city crowds, Chester’s Christmas Market might just be the answer.

Located beneath the towers of its 1,000-year-old cathedral and the striking Victorian Gothic town hall, this market has earned its place thanks to a relaxed atmosphere and picturesque setting.

Based on a survey about the best UK cities of over 4,000 UK respondents conducted last year, Which? found that Chester’s Christmas Market was among the top options due to its charm and stress-free experience.

The report stated: “For a peaceful festive day out, consider Chester’s Christmas Market. Though it was pipped to the post for the title of best medium-sized city by Bath, it scored higher for its ease of getting around, parking and lack of crowds.”

The market itself may be modest in size – featuring around 70 handpicked stalls — but it features everything a Christmas lover could ask for.

From scented candles and artisan liqueurs to upcycled cutlery and locally made crafts, visitors can expect to find high-quality, thoughtful gifts.