Despite being home to (apparently) the second most miserable population on Earth, the UK has just been voted one of the planet’s best countries to visit. Take the good with the bad, eh? Swings and roundabouts ’n’ all that.
Readers of Condé Nast Traveller were the ones who bestowed upon Blighty such an esteemed title. In a sort of TripAdvisor-for-nations move, the travel magazine asked more than half a million people for their favourite places to go in the world. Britain came 15th, which isn’t half bad when you consider we beat some really stunning countries like France, Austria and Sri Lanka.
What do we have that they don’t? According to Condé Nast, visitors unsurprisingly talk about London, its great food, and its many (often free) museums. London has been a major world city for a couple of centuries, but what’s interesting is Yorkshire getting a special mention, ‘thanks to its emerging culinary scene’. The magazine also mentioned the wildlife in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, so we really do have it all.
Japan topped the list overall, followed by Italy, and then Greece. Whilst we can’t compete with them on beaches or warmth, we reckon there’s still a lot to love on our island(s). Read more about Condé Nast’s full ranking here.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that people love it here, considering that London was named the best city in Europe only last week. We also had four UK cities in our own Time Out list of the best cities in the world for 2024, which you can check out here.
Looking for a UK staycation?
You’re in the right place. We at Time Out have lists of the best UK restaurants, cute cabins you can stay in, and stuff that’s definitely worth your time. We also have complete guides to all your favourite destinations in Britain and Ireland, from Belfast to Birmingham, Dublin to Dorset.
Did you see that this 800-year-old castle in Scotland will soon open to visitors?
Plus: These derelict historic railway arches in Manchester are getting a serious glow-up.
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