A beautiful UK city has been highlighted as the place to visit in 2027 (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The UK is absolutely brimming with vibrant and bustling cities for that coveted weekend escape, whether it’s to wander along cobbled lanes against half-timbered buildings before stopping by a traditional pub for some live music, or marvelling at iconic landmarks before comedy shows and cocktails by evening. It’s never too early to plan your next UK city break or day out, and there’s one destination that shouldn’t be overlooked, as it’s set to be huge in 2027.
We all know the hotspots of Bath, Edinburgh and York that draw in thousands of visitors every year, but it’s the cathedral city of Chichester that has been highlighted as the place to visit next year. With well-preserved Roman walls, medieval architecture and a thriving arts and culture scene, Chichester in West Sussex was named one of Expedia’s 2027 Destinations of the Year.
In fact, it was the only city in the UK to make the acclaimed list of the fastest-growing travel destinations, with Expedia reporting a 30% increase in interest for Chichester, compared to last year. Owing to its notable spike in interest, Expedia said: “Chichester is a market town on the West Sussex coast, packed full of culture and history, where searches have increased 30% compared to last year. See the renowned modern art collection inside Chichester Cathedral, catch a show at its acclaimed theatre and enjoy world-class sailing and cycling.”
Chichester in West Sussex has pretty high streets and hidden alleyways (Image: Getty Images)
The research by Expedia examined insights from a survey of 26,000 travellers, first-party data, and ‘social listening’ to reveal the top 10 destinations, with Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Italy also featured on the list. Yet, with Chichester topping the list for the UK following a surge in interest, it’s certainly worth discovering, with largely pedestrian-friendly high streets framed by grand Georgian facades and timber-framed buildings in a nod to its heritage.
Interestingly, the city centre follows a Roman grid that converges at the 16th-century Market Cross, with four distinct areas: North Street, East Street, South Street, and West Street. The Chichester Cross stands at the intersection of the four main streets, with the majestic 900-year-old Chichester Cathedral just a few steps away and its neighbouring secret garden, Bishop’s Palace Gardens.
The city isn’t short of offerings, with a plethora of trendy cafés, restaurants and pubs, along with a flourishing shopping scene. While it has a flurry of favourite high street brands, it’s also packed with almost 200 independent shops, according to Visit Chichester along with “weekly markets and unusual boutiques”.
Some of the independent treasures can be found tucked among the historic alleyways, known locally as the city’s ‘pallants’ and ‘twittens’. Chichester’s 3rd-century Roman city walls also can’t be missed, built around AD 200 and standing over seven meters tall, and said to be among the best-preserved Roman defences in England.
The city is framed by Georgian facades and timber-framed buildings (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Following a visit to the lesser-known city, one traveller said they “loved Chichester” and wrote on TripAdvisor: “Great place with a mix of multiple & independent shops, restaurants & cafes.” Another hailed Chichester as “wonderful, compact and an interesting city”, while noting it had “lots of art and culture” along with great options for eating and shopping.
Another commented: “What a lovely place to walk around and look at the shops. Nice place to have a meal, quite a selection of restaurants. Sat listening to the man playing music in the street, nice calm atmosphere.” One visitor said they’d “highly recommend it for a day trip” and another suggested spending “a couple of days at least to cover everything that Chichester has to offer”.
Expedia’s 2027 Destinations of the Year
(City, country and increase in search)
- South Lake Tahoe, California, 195%
- Hyogo, Japan, 95%
- Punta del Este, Uruguay, 65%
- Sedona, Arizona, US, 55%
- Busan, South Korea, 50%
- Holbox, Mexico, 45%
- Perugia, Italy, 35%
- The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia, 35%
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, 35%
- Chichester, UK, 30%