English city named world's most beautiful outshining Venice

A charming cathedral city has attained the title of the world's most attractive city, even eclipsing famed Italian beauts like Venice and Rome.

Researchers utilised Google Street View to take a comprehensive look at the aesthetic glories of dwellings, landmarks, and streets across the globe.

Chester's glory is rooted in its ancient Roman walls that date back more than two millennia, earning it an 83.7 percent 'beauty score' based on the tenets of the 'golden ratio'.

The study emphasises the golden ratio's significance throughout art history, stating: "Artists over the last few centuries have incorporated the golden ratio into their work, believing it to be a gold standard in natural aesthetic perfection."

Chester is a tapestry of historical layers, comprising remnants from Roman, Norman, and Viking eras showcased through its stunning architecture, according to a report by the Express.

The city harbours notable monuments such as the Eastgate Clock, established in 1897 and second only to the iconic Big Ben as the most photographed timepiece in England.

Additionally, the grand Chester Cathedral is a highlight, with its impressive Gothic designs, radiant stained-glass windows, and traces of Roman fortifications, all adjacent to a Georgian square.

Tony H shared his experience on TripAdvisor with enthusiasm, describing: "What struck me was the feeling of history that swept over me as we walked round. Having visited quite a few cathedrals in the past, including Notre Dame several years ago, I have never had that feeling before. Everywhere, including the courtyard, just felt steeped in history."

The principle known as the 'divine proportion,' or the golden ratio, is celebrated in disciplines such as art, architecture, and nature for its aesthetic perfection. Scientists have now employed this concept to determine whether beauty can indeed be measured.

Additional UK cities also recognised for their visual splendour are London and Belfast, which achieved high scores of 83 percent and 82.9 percent respectively.

Internationally, Chester stands above Venice in the rankings, which scored 83.3 percent; it surpassed Rome's 82 percent score as well as Barcelona, tallying up 81.9 percent on the scale of beauty.