When a UK city is hailed as the ‘world’s most beautiful’, inevitably I’m going to want to go and see if it lives up to the hype. 

Unfortunately, the British weather never plays ball so when I headed to Chester, the rain and bone-chilling gusts put me in a bad mood, so I fully expected to arrive and – with classic British optimism – be disappointed.

However, within less than half an hour of wandering around the city, it was quickly evident as to why it’s been given the accolade of the world’s most beautiful.

This city feels like it’s been frozen in time. To enter the centre you have to walk under the historic Chester Walls, the impressively preserved Roman walls which, at nearly two miles long, are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain.

You can actually climb some steps and walk along the top of the fortifications to enjoy unrivalled views of the city and surrounding landscape, on a loop that takes about 45 minutes.

Back on the ground, stepping through the archways leaves you feeling like you’ve arrived on a film set. There’s something particularly charming about the crooked buildings that make up the high street, packed with independent shops, bookstores and cosy cafés, all of which sit alongside some of the larger chains. It feels like a solid mix of everything you could need, whether you’re a local doing their weekly shop or a tourist wanting to pick up some souvenirs.

The timber-framed ‘Rows’ were a true highlight; these line the high street and make for a covered walkway (very welcome when the British weather was being particularly foul), and again full of quirky boutiques and shops.

It feels rare to see a high street that’s still bustling these days, so it was a pleasant surprise that, despite the weather, there were still plenty of shoppers and tourists out and about.

It’s not just the City Walls that can whet a history fan’s whistle. Chester Cathedral is another beautiful highlight, while the city’s Roman Amphitheatre offers a glimpse into the fascinating period of history.

For something a little less historic but still a very important landmark, eagle-eyed TV fans might recognise the Suspension Bridge which leads into the city, given that it’s featured in Hollyoaks!

For families, Chester Zoo is a short drive away and home to over 30,000 animals, if you want to make a weekend of it and keep the kids occupied.

Of course what is a city without its pubs, and Chester has a solid mix of traditional low beam pubs, modern day breweries and some fancy-looking bars. It’s a firm favourite with locals for a night out, although the vibe definitely feels more relaxed than neighbouring cities like Liverpool.

With so much charm and history nestled among the cobbled streets, it’s easy to see why Chester was crowned the world’s most beautiful city just last year.

The city topped a study that compared destinations’ buildings according to the ‘golden ratio’, a formula that determines what is particularly pleasing to the human eye. Researchers from Online Mortgage Advisor analysed a number of popular destinations based on how they adhere to the golden ratio, with Chester firmly topping the list thanks to its impressive 83.7 per cent of buildings which made the cut.

What made the city stand out for me wasn’t just the high street though; its surroundings are just as pretty. 

You only need to walk for about 10-15 minutes out of the city to find canalside walks and moorlands. Those who like a bit of greenery won’t want to miss the picturesque Grosvenor Park with its pond, lawns and a viewing area from which you can take in uninterrupted vistas of the Cheshire countryside. 

We had a go at one of the trails and within minutes had forgotten we were actually right by a city. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t really in our favour but we did manage a short loop before admitting defeat and rushing back to shelter in one of the coffee shops, waiting for the rain to pass. 

Given the miserable UK weather when we were there, I was genuinely impressed that the city was still so charming. However, the world’s most beautiful city is definitely one I plan to revisit, and hopefully the sunshine will deign to make an appearance!

You can find out more on chester.com.