Every Brit knows that northerners are some of the warmest, most welcoming people in the land. There’s just something about Scouse, Geordie, Mancunian and Yorkshire accents that make you feel right at home – and it’s not just us who feel that way. Now, northern hospitality has been recognised on a global scale.
As part of its 13th annual Traveller Review Awards, travel booking platform Booking.com has revealed the ten most welcoming cities on Earth for 2025. The top destinations were based on over 360 million customer reviews of accommodation, activities and transport on the site to figure out which cities had the highest share of glowing feedback. And there was one northern English city that made the cut.
Chester ranked tenth in Booking.com’s list of the world’s most welcoming cities. The site described the city as a ‘historic gem’ and gave shoutouts to Ch1 Boutique Stays, Luxury Chester Townhouse and the Medieval Walking Tour of Chester for offering particularly outstanding hospitality.
Ryan Pearson, Booking.com regional manager, said: ‘Chester is a city that perfectly blends warmth and history, making it one of the most welcoming destinations in the UK. With its charming, cobbled streets, historic architecture and a strong sense of community, it’s no surprise that visitors feel at home.
‘But beyond its friendly atmosphere, Chester also has a rich and mysterious past, earning it a reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the country.’
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