UK's favourite destinations unveiled - and Hot Fuzz fans will recognise top city

08 September 2023 , 23:01

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Wells in Somerset (Image: Getty Images)

Wells in Somerset has been named as the UK’s favourite ­destination in a travel survey of inland towns and villages.

It is England’s smallest city with a population of just 12,000. But thanks to its cathedral, Wells is a popular filming ­location that has featured in the likes of Simon Pegg comedy Hot Fuzz and BBC historic drama, Wolf Hall. Wells topped the poll by consumer group Which? due to its attractiveness, tourist attractions and architecture as well as its range of food, drink and ­shopping options.

South West England ­dominated the top three, with Avebury, Wiltshire, in second place and Corfe Castle, Dorset, coming third. Next on the list is Port Sunlight, Merseyside. The village was built by William Hesketh Lever in 1888 to provide 900 homes for the workers at his soap factory. It is named after his popular Sunlight soap.

The top-rated Welsh destination is Llangollen, nestled between the Berwyn, Llantysilio and Ruabon mountains in Denbighshire. It is well-known for its International Musical Eisteddfod festival. The Borders town of Melrose was voted top in Scotland. Its abbey is home to Robert the Bruce’s heart.

Wells marketplace (Mid Somerset)

At the bottom of the list was Gretna on the Scottish border, with Bodmin, Cornwall in second-last place. Those surveyed were asked to rate their experiences of visiting inland towns and villages in the last year. Criteria included scenery, food and drink, peace and quiet, tourist attractions, and value for money.

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Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel 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 ten - meaning there is a fantastic place to visit on your doorstep no matter where you live.”

Top towns and villages:

1. Wells, Somerset

2. Avebury, Wiltshire

3. Corfe Castle, Dorset

4. Port Sunlight, Merseyside

5. Grasmere, Cumbria

6. Lavenham, Suffolk

7. Llangollen, Denbighshire

8. Ludlow, Shropshire

9. Stamford, Lincolnshire

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10. Cartmel, Cumbria

Natasha Wynarczyk