BRITAIN’S best big cities to visit have been revealed – along with those best avoided.
Consumer Champion Which? surveyed nearly 4,000 people about their experiences of visiting UK cities over the past two years.
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Derby has been ranked as the worst big city to visit in the UK by Which? research Credit: Alamy
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Derby scored a lowly 56%, followed by Leicester and Swansea with 58% Credit: Alamy
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Britain’s worst big cities to visit, according to Which? Research
Each was awarded five stars based on a range of criteria including accommodation, food and drink, cultural sites and tourist attractions.
Ease of movement, lack of crowds and value for money were also among the criteria.
The score was then calculated based on the visitor’s overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend it.
At the bottom of the table for big cities was Derby, which scored a low 56%, followed by Leicester and Swansea, both on 58%.
Derby received just two stars for food and drink, accommodation, cultural attractions, shopping and ease of getting around.
One visitor noted that although “there aren’t many cultural sights in the city center, the Craft Museum is worth a visit.”
Derby has unfortunately been compared to a “dumping ground” in previous years.
A 2018 local poll asked if people were right when they described the city as such, and 54% of respondents said yes.
In Which? survey, Leicester also failed to impress overall.
The area, known as the final resting place of Richard III, was awarded just two stars for accommodation and ease of getting around.
Exploring Derby: The UK’s Most Underrated City?
Several respondents noted poor hotel stays, and some reported difficulties with local transportation.
One said: “Driving to Leicester is not easy for anyone new. Everything seems overcomplicated.”
The town did receive four stars for its shopping experience and lack of crowds, with one visitor noting that while “it’s not a pretty town… there are gems if you know where to look.”
The second largest city in Wales, Swansea, won just two stars for food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, shopping, ease of movement and parking.
Known as the birthplace of Dylan Thomas, the town is also popular for its proximity to the Gower Peninsula.
One ambivalent visitor said: “Swansea is fine as a town, but the main attraction is the coast and countryside on its doorstep.”
Others were more favorable, praising the “friendly people and the brilliant market and marina”.
The best big cities to visit, according to Which?
In April 2024, Which? surveyed 3,967 people about their experiences of the UK cities and towns they had visited for leisure and stayed at least one night in the last two years.
A total of 7,187 experiences were reported.
All are rated five stars on a range of criteria including accommodation, food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, ease of movement, lack of crowds and value for money.
The rating is calculated based on overall visitor satisfaction and likelihood of recommendation.
Top 10:
- Liverpool 84%
- Edinburgh 83%
- York 83%
- Belfast 77%
- Glasgow 76%
- London 76%
- Newcastle upon Tyne 75%
- Portsmouth 74%
- Bristol 73%
- Cardiff 72%
In the small and medium-sized categories, Bournemouth, Torquay and Fort William in Scotland also fared poorly with a combined score of 58%.
First place in the category of large cities went to Liverpool, which received a score of 84%.
This slightly outstripped the capital cities of Belfast (77%), London (76%), Cardiff (72%) and Liverpool’s close neighbor Manchester (71%).
“Vibrant” and “hustling” Liverpool won a full five stars in the cultural sights and tourist attractions category, with people praising the impressive array of cultural attractions – apart from the Beatles.
The city also received four stars for food and drink, shopping, accommodation, lack of crowds and value for money.
One respondent said: “It has everything you could want. Great for restaurants, great for sights and famous places and very friendly people.”
Edinburgh and York came in joint second place in the large cities category, with cities’ scores tied at 83%.
The “stunning” Scottish capital has been hailed as “bursting with cultural activity”.
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Derby has been called a ‘distraction’ in a local poll Credit: Alamy
Visitors rated it with a full five stars for cultural sights and tourist attractions.
Edinburgh earned four stars for food and drink, shopping, ease of getting around and overall value for money.
York, known for its Roman and Viking heritage, was also awarded five stars in the Cultural Landmarks and Tourist Attractions category.
Some of its most famous attractions include York Minster, the National Railway Museum and the Jorvik Viking Centre.
The city also received four stars for shopping, accommodation, ease of movement, value for money and food and drink.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “Whether you’re looking for vibrant nightlife, world-class museums or a first-class dining experience, our research shows that the UK has plenty of fantastic cities just waiting to be explored.
“Liverpool stood out among the UK’s major cities for its fantastic cultural scene and buzzing atmosphere, beating London and other UK capitals to the top spot.
“For those looking for a more leisurely destination, Somerset is the place to be, with Bath and Wells both highly rated, each offering a wealth of historical and cultural attractions.”
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