A current rating of the UK’s greatest and worst huge cities discovered some stunning winners and losers, from seaside city to London suburbs.
Regardless of its proximity to London this sought-after suburb got here in final (Picture: Getty)
A London satellite tv for pc city has been named the worst within the UK regardless of common home costs of almost £400,000 and its shut proximity to the capital.
Watford in Hertfordshire is simply 15 miles from London and sits on the River Colne, with massive out of doors areas such because the leafy Cassiobury Park. In some ways, it has an enormous quantity to supply, particularly for many who commute into the town.
Nonetheless, in a Telegraph article titled ‘Britain’s 25 greatest cities, ranked from worst to greatest’, Watford got here in useless final with a rating of simply 0.5/10. The article pointedly requested if Watford was a “Gateway to London or final exit to the humdrum?”
Watford has fairly canalside walks (Picture: Getty)
A part of the Telegraph’s justification for the poor rating was that its city centre was overtaken by the sprawling Harlequin Watford, as soon as among the many UK’s largest retail locations. Inbuilt 1992, it has modified fingers over time and misplaced its main anchor shops reminiscent of John Lewis and Debenhams. Nonetheless, it nonetheless has numerous standard chains below its glass roof.
A former market city, you possibly can nonetheless see among the attraction of outdated Watford in historic locations reminiscent of Watford Colosseum, now a thriving music venue, and Cheslyn Home & Gardens, a relaxed oasis near the city centre. Watford can also be dwelling of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, bringing Harry Potter followers from world wide to see props, costumes, and units from the films.
A very charming and sudden characteristic of Watford is the Grade II listed Cassiobridge Lodge on Gade Avenue. Described in 1837 as being coated with cut up sticks, this Nineteenth-century constructing initially served the Cassiobury Property.
On the opposite facet of London, however coming in for a equally dismal rating, was Crawley. The West Sussex city achieved the identical bleak 0.5/10 rating as Watford, regardless of its comfortable location between London and Brighton. The Telegraph complained that “only a few of its trendy constructions are noteworthy,” and criticised its “boxy housing”.
Crawley in West Sussex additionally scored poorly (Picture: Getty)
Like Watford, a big a part of the city centre is taken up by the County Mall Buying Centre. Inbuilt 1992, it’s not probably the most lovely of architectural initiatives, nevertheless it does supply all kinds of shops. Close by, there’s a respite from concrete areas in Memorial Park, providing inexperienced areas and playgrounds.
The vast majority of guests to Crawley move via on the way in which to London Gatwick Airport, the second-largest within the UK, which handles over 40 million passengers a yr and gives locations across the globe.
Crawley was narrowly overwhelmed to twenty third place by one other airport city, Luton. The Telegraph stated that Luton merely didn’t have a lot going for it: “Vauxhall Motors opened in 1905. It closed final yr and now that airport is the best-known factor concerning the city, together with “the most important one-day carnival within the UK”.
Luton was voted third-worst city (Picture: Getty)
The city centre received’t win awards for magnificence, though St. George’s Sq. has been improved lately and hosts open-air occasions. On the coronary heart of the city is Luton Level, a big mall the place Primark and H&M are among the many fundamental attracts.
On the different finish of the rankings was a shock winner: the seaside city of Blackpool. Recognized for its Golden Mile promenade stuffed with overstimulating amusements, the Blackpool Tower, and an end-of-pier theatre that includes comedians of yesteryear, it’s a traditional British vacation spot. The Telegraph amid that “the again streets after darkish are for the faint-hearted. It’s a UK one-off. An compulsory cease as soon as each decade if you wish to know your nation and your self.”
Cheltenham was additionally praised for its Regency attraction, whereas Ipswich, which boasts 12 medieval church buildings, got here in third place.
The complete record
25. Watford – 0.5/10
24. Crawley – 0.5/10
23. Luton – 1/10
22. Oldham – 1.5/10
21. Basildon – 2/10
20. Basingstoke – 2/10
19. Telford – 2.5/10
18. Middlesbrough – 2.5/10
17. Northampton – 3/10
16. Slough – 3.5/10
15. Studying – 4/10
14. Swindon – 4.5/10
13. Warrington – 5/10
12. Huddersfield – 5.5/10
11. Bolton – 6/10
10. Blackburn – 6/10
9. Stockport – 6.5/10
8. Poole – 6.5/10
7. Bournemouth – 7/10
6. Worthing – 7/10
5. Gateshead – 7.5/10
4. Rochdale – 8/10
3. Ipswich – 8.5/10
2. Cheltenham – 9/10
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1. Blackpool – 9.5/10
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