crowned

The charming city has been named the ‘world’s most beautiful’ thanks to its historic buildings, bustling high street and picturesque surroundings

When a city in the UK is dubbed as the ‘world’s most beautiful’, naturally, I’m intrigued to see if it lives up to such high praise.

Regrettably, the typical British weather didn’t cooperate when I set off for Chester. The rain and icy winds had dampened my spirits, and with quintessential British pessimism, I expected to be disappointed.

However, within just half an hour of exploring the city, it became abundantly clear why it has earned the title of the world’s most beautiful.

The city appears to be frozen in time. You enter the centre by walking under the arches of the historic City Walls, a circuit of remarkably well-preserved Roman walls spanning nearly two miles (making them the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain).

You can even walk up some steps and walk along the top of these fortifications, offering unparalleled views of the city and surrounding landscape on a loop that takes roughly 45 minutes.

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Once back at ground level, passing through the archways feels like stepping onto a movie set. There’s a unique charm to the slightly askew buildings that line the high street, brimming with independent shops, bookstores, and quaint cafés, all nestled amongst larger chain stores.

It offers a balanced blend of everything one might need, whether you’re a local doing your weekly shop or a tourist hunting for souvenirs.

The timber-framed ‘Rows’ were a real standout; these line the high street and provide a covered walkway (a blessing when the British weather is being particularly unkind), filled with unique boutiques and shops.

It’s uncommon to see a bustling high street these days, so it was reassuring to see that, despite the weather, there were still plenty of shoppers and tourists milling about.

But it’s not just the City Walls that can satisfy a history buff’s appetite. Chester Cathedral is another beautiful highlight, while the city’s Roman Amphitheatre offers a peek into an intriguing era of history. For something a bit less historical but still a significant landmark, sharp-eyed TV fans might recognise the Suspension Bridge leading into the city, as it’s featured in Hollyoaks!

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For families, Chester Zoo is a short drive away and houses over 30,000 animals, perfect if you’re planning a weekend trip and need to keep the kids entertained.

Then of course, what would a city be without its pubs? Chester boasts a diverse mix of traditional low beam pubs, modern breweries and some swanky bars. It’s a popular choice for locals on a night out, although the atmosphere definitely feels more laid-back than neighbouring cities like Liverpool.

With such a wealth of charm and history tucked away among the cobbled streets, it’s no wonder Chester was named the world’s most beautiful city just last year.

The city clinched the top spot in a study that evaluated destinations’ architecture based on the ‘golden ratio’, a mathematical principle that identifies what is aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. Researchers from Online Mortgage Advisor scrutinised various popular locations according to their adherence to the golden ratio, with Chester triumphantly leading the pack due to its remarkable 83.7 per cent of buildings which met the criteria.

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But it’s not just the buildings and high street that make this a must-visit. A mere 10-15 minute stroll out of the city reveals idyllic canalside walks and moorlands. Nature enthusiasts won’t want to miss the scenic Grosvenor Park with its pond, lawns and a viewing area offering uninterrupted views of the Cheshire countryside.

We tried one of the trails and within minutes had completely forgotten we were actually right next to a city. Regrettably, the weather wasn’t on our side but we managed a brief loop before conceding defeat and seeking refuge in one of the coffee shops, waiting for the rain to pass.

Despite the typical UK weather during our visit, I was genuinely taken aback by how charming the city remained. However, the world’s most beautiful city is definitely one I intend to revisit, and hopefully, the sun will decide to grace us with its presence!

More information can be found on chester.com.

Beavertown Brewery’s Cosy Pub Index has named Staffordshire as the top county for cosy pubs, beating traditional favourites with its impressive collection of welcoming venues

Christmas is nearly upon us, and it’s time to wrap up in a jumper and gather by the fire with those closest to us.

For countless people, the perfect winter scene features a softly lit, toasty and inviting space with beverages and the sound of crackling flames, offering shelter from the bitter weather outside.

Little wonder, then, that online searches for “cosy pubs” have jumped by almost 50% over the past month – and with this trend in mind, Beavertown Brewery examined the nation’s finest establishments based on several criteria to identify the top destinations.

Taking into account ceiling heights, lighting, warmth and festive decoration, their Cosy Pub Index named Staffordshire as Britain’s premier choice for the season, boasting an impressive 230 cosy pubs.

Derbyshire comes second with 196 venues, followed by Cheshire with 188, Cornwall with 186 and North Yorkshire with 182, reports the Express.

Staffordshire might not immediately spring to mind as a pub culture destination, but a swift glance at the region’s highest-rated establishments on TripAdvisor reveals they’ve been steadily enhancing their reputation for some time.

The county’s highest-rated pub is Osmar’s Table at The Fox Inn in Dosthill, awarded 4.9 stars and lauded for its “warm atmosphere” and a menu that appears tailor-made for festive occasions.

Close behind is The Feathers Inn in Lichfield, commended by guests for its laid-back ambience, substantial dishes and vibrant evenings. Next on the list is The Lazy Trout in Meerbrook, an incredibly sought-after venue that’s frequently fully booked, reviewers report.

Enthusiasts say it delivers that quintessential pub atmosphere whilst boasting views of the surrounding hills.

The Masons Arms in Stoke-on-Trent is distinguished as “a gem of a pub”, whilst The Blue Mugge in Leek completes the top five as a locally favoured, charming and reasonably priced venue with “fantastic” atmosphere.

“Everyone’s got a favourite pub they love to escape to when the cold hits”, explained Sam Millard, the brand’s Head of Innovation. “Winter is when pubs become rituals. It’s hard to resist the glow coming from a window filled with condensation, and the UK pub scene is arguably one of the best places in the world to throw your coat down onto a bench and keep warm with friends.”

The full county-by-county breakdown of prime cosy pub destinations reveals that the North and Midlands command the leading spots, whilst the South East is notably ranked lower.

Scottish havens for warmth such as Glasgow and Edinburgh offered 169 and 139 wintry watering holes respectively. Down in the South West, Dorset (169) edged ahead of Devon (161), with both trailing Cornwall.

The study also identifies a “cosy pub corridor” that could prove ideal for tourists, stretching from Cheshire across Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire and into the Cotswolds.

Wiegman replaced Phil Neville as England manager in September 2021, guiding the Lionesses to their first piece of major silverware at Euro 2022 when they beat Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley.

England then reached the World Cup final in Australia in 2023, only to lose 1-0 to Spain.

At this year’s Euros, England showed incredible battling qualities to remain in the tournament and became the only country in the competition’s history to have three different matches go to extra time.

By reaching the final Wiegman became the first women’s or men’s manager to reach five consecutive major international finals after leading the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and 2019 World Cup final.

The Lionesses beat Spain 3-1 on penalties in July after the final finished 1-1 after extra time in Switzerland, with Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saving two of Spain’s efforts in the shootout.

The victory meant Wiegman became just the second manager after Germany’s Christina Theune to win three successive European Championships.

England’s success led to Wiegman being named women’s coach of the year at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, while she also won the women’s coach prize at the Fifa Best Awards for a record fifth time.

Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows shared the BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year award in 2024 after guiding Keely Hodgkinson to 800m Olympic gold at the Paris Games.

Sir Alex Ferguson won the inaugural Coach of the Year award in 1999, the year Manchester United won the Treble.

Previous winners include Sir Clive Woodward, Colin Montgomerie and Claudio Ranieri.

Wiegman joins Arsene Wenger, Sir Dave Brailsford and Sir Gareth Southgate in winning the award more than once.