World's 'prettiest city' named by boffins - and it's in the UK

Pictured is a general view of Chester
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


Many might imagine the world's most beautiful city to be an international destination like Venice or Vienna, but scientists have declared that the UK's own Chester takes the title. Chester has been named the world's prettiest city, with experts analysing its enchanting architecture and awarding it top marks. The city is renowned for its historical significance, boasting the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain and the oldest racecourse.

The latest honour comes as researchers found Chester has the highest concentration of buildings that align with the "golden ratio" - a mathematical equation associated with beauty in nature, art, and architecture. Leonardo Da Vinci's art and Le Corbusier's architectural works are often cited as examples of the golden ratio, suggesting Chester embodies "natural aesthetic perfection".

In the recent study, Chester scored 83.7 per cent on the golden ratio scale, narrowly surpassing Venice's 83.3 per cent, reports the Mirror. London followed closely, securing third place with an 82 per cent rating, according to the Express.

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Researchers have been able to determine these findings by meticulously analysing thousands of street views using Google Street View. They calculated each building's compliance with the golden ratio by marking out the corners.

Chester, with its deep and varied Tudor roots, is home to architectural gems such as Chester Town Hall, Eaton Hall, and Bishop Lloyd's House. Chester, the county capital of Cheshire, is famous for having the most complete city walls in Britain, adding to its charm. The cathedral city also boasts a magnificent castle that has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history.

The town is also known for Chester Zoo, one of the UK's finest, which regularly competes with London Zoo for top honours. Chester FC, on the other hand, competes in the sixth tier of English football. Interestingly, their stadium is just within Wales due to the town's close proximity to the border - it actually runs through the main stand of the ground.

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