A tiny English city has been named the best place for a staycation in the country, according to a survery of more than 9,000 people by Which?.
The survey asked Which? members to vote on which of Britain’s best inland towns and villages was best to visit for a staycation based on criteria including scenery, food and drink, tourist attractions and value for money. Despite not being a town or a village, but a very small city – Wells, in Somerset – took the top spot.
The Brit favourite city destination has taken centre stage over the years as a hot spot for major television shows and movies, being a filming location for Dungeons And Dragons, Hot Fuzz, and Wolf Hall.
The medieval city, which is also one of the UK’s smallest, scored 83 per cent across the categories, due to its noteworthy architecture and famous cathedral.
Wells has had beenr regarded as a city since medieval times because of its ancient cathedral. Some parts of the Grade I listed building date back to the 10th century and tourists flock to visit the wells and water springs.
Although the area was always seen as a city due to it’s impressive cathedral, it wasn’t formally recognised as one until 1974, when Queen Elizabeth II granted it city status.
Other places in the running were Avebury, in Wiltshire, with a narrow loss after being given a score of 82 per cent and Corfe Castle in Dorset. While in Wales, Llangollen came first, as well as Melrose in Scotland
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “From famed tourist towns to lesser-known villages, this year’s survey has captured the range of unique destinations the UK has to offer.
“While the picturesque South West took the top spots, there are beautiful towns and villages in Scotland, Wales and from across England in the top 10 – meaning there is a fantastic place to visit on your doorstep no matter where you live.”
Wells in particular has a population of around 12,000 people, and is well-liked for its three water springs that exist across the city, one in the marketplace and two within the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace and cathedral.
Wells city councillor, Sarah Powell, said: “There’s a really good community here, it’s small enough for people to know each other well. There are plenty of things to see and experience like the cathedral as well as food, comedy and theatre festivals.
“It’s also great for those who like nature, there’s lots of country walks so for people who like the outdoors it’s just a great place to live.”
The top 10 destinations as ranked by Which?:
- Wells, Somerset: 83 per cent
- Avebury, Wiltshire: 82 per cent
- Corfe Castle, Dorset: 80 per cent
- Port Sunlight, Mersetside: 80 per cent
- Grasmere, Cumbria: 79 per cent
- Lavenham, Suffolk: 79 per cent
- Llangollen, Denbighshire: 79 per cent
- Ludlow, Shopshire: 79 per cent
- Stamford, Lincolnshire: 79 per cent
- Cartmel, Cumbria, 78 per cent
- Church Stretton, Shopshire: 78 per cent
- Crickhowell, Powys: 78 per cent
