Wells in Somerset – a favourite location for Hollywood film and TV producers – has been named as the UK’s favourite destination in a survey of inland towns and villages.

Magnificent Wells Cathedral

A survey of over 9,000 members was carried out by the UK’s consumer champion Which?, asking them to rate their experiences of visiting inland towns and villages in the last year. Criteria included scenery, food and drink, peace and quiet, tourist attractions, and value for money.

Wells is one of the UK’s smallest cities

The South West of England dominated the top three, with Wells, one of the UK’s smallest cities, scoring 83 per cent and taking first place. Close behind were Avebury in Wiltshire (82%) and Corfe Castle in Dorset (80%). 

Wells Cathedral

A popular filming location, Wells has featured in major film and television productions including Hot Fuzz, Dungeons and Dragons and Wolf Hall. Visitors can imagine following in the footsteps of film stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth, and Emily Blunt. The medieval city scored a full five stars for attractiveness and tourist attractions and boasts stunning architecture, including its famous cathedral. It also scored four stars for shopping, scenery and food and drink. 

Avebury in Wiltshire came second in the survey

Close behind was Avebury in Wiltshire. Scoring five stars for scenery and attractiveness, the village is perfect for history lovers - well-known for its 5,000-year-old Neolithic stone circle, which is free for visitors to explore. Situated close to Stonehenge, Avebury also has picturesque, thatched cottages, Georgian townhouses and a quaint 19th-century pub located in a 16th century building. 

The Red Lion in Avebury

Tying in third place were Dorset’s Corfe Castle and Port Sunlight in Merseyside. One of Enid Blyton’s favourite holiday destinations, Corfe Castle was built by William the Conqueror during the 11th century. The village was rated a full five stars for tourist attractions and scenery, with visitors able to enjoy ambling through the castle ruins, which boast spectacular views over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour.

The town of Corfe Castle

Much like Corfe Castle, Port Sunlight also offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past. The Merseyside village was built by William Hesketh Lever in 1888 to provide 900 homes to house the workers of his soap factory and is named for his popular ‘Sunlight’ soap. The village scored four stars out of five for attractiveness, tourist attractions and value for money. It also scored a full five stars for peace and quiet.

The majestic ruins of Corfe Castle

Ludlow in Shropshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire, Lavenham in Suffolk, Grasmere in Cumbria, and Llangollen in Denbighshire tied in fourth position. 

Top rated Welsh destination Llangollen, nestled between the Berwyn, Ruabon, and Llantysilio mountains scored five stars for scenery and attractiveness, as well as four stars for tourist attractions and food and drink. From canal boat cruises to steam train journeys, as well as its annual International Musical Eisteddfod festival, there’s plenty for visitors to enjoy. 

Llangollen in Wales

Melrose was the highest rated Scottish destination. Backed by the peaks of the Eildon Hills, once described as those ‘delectable mountains’ by author and historian Sir Walter Scott, the town unsurprisingly scored five stars for scenery and attractiveness. Melrose also scored four stars for its tourist attractions, which famously include Melrose Abbey, the final resting place of the heart of Robert the Bruce. 

Melrose Abbey

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: “From famed tourist towns to lesser-known villages, this year’s survey has captured the range of unique destinations the UK has to offer. While the picturesque South West took the top spots, there are beautiful towns and villages in Scotland, Wales and from across England in the top ten.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of the United Kingdom, visiting some of the delightful towns and villages identified in this survey, please do contact our friendly team today.