Thinking about staying a bit closer to home for your next holiday, or ‘staycation’? Then the good people who read Condé Nast Traveller might be worth listening to this year - or reading, that is.
The Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards are a huge deal in the travel industry, and for a very good reason: they’re voted on entirely by their global community of passionate travellers.
Each year, the publication asks its readers from all over the world to share their favourite destinations, hotels, cities, and resorts. The scores, presented as percentages, represent the average levels of satisfaction from real people, meaning the results are a direct and unfiltered reflection of genuine travel experiences.
What makes these awards so highly regarded is the sheer number of people who take part. In 2024, for example, more than 550,000 votes were counted from readers in the United States alone. It’s not a panel of experts or editors making the decisions; it’s a long-running recognition of excellence based on honest feedback from travellers just like us.
So, where in the UK do readers consider the best place to visit? We’ve pulled together the top ten, including their overall scores, and we’ve also included a couple of landmarks and places of interest we think are worth checking out on your next local holiday.
7. Glasgow
Staycationers are increasingly aware of the city’s charm, attracted by a host of things to do and a Glaswegian food scene that’s tastier than ever before. You can step back in time with a visit to the 12th-century Glasgow Cathedral, admire the art at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, or take a stroll through the flower-bedecked George Square at the heart of the city's historic Victorian centre. 🎯 92.08 | Getty Images
8. London
London is a thriving hub of 32 boroughs, each with its own distinct character, from the hip area of Dalston to the colourful Notting Hill and the buzzing Soho. Visitors can explore the historic Tower of London, get a modern perspective of the city from the London Eye, or walk across the famous Tower Bridge for spectacular views. 🎯 92.56 | Getty Images
9. Manchester
Manchester's food and hospitality scene is drawing in travellers in ever-growing numbers, as celebrated chefs continue to launch international concepts once reserved for London. No trip to the city would be complete without a visit to the stunning Victorian Gothic architecture of Manchester Town Hall, the neo-Gothic masterpiece that is The John Rylands Library, and a look at the city's industrial past at the Science and Industry Museum. 🎯 96.30 | Getty Images
10. Bath
The historic city makes for the ultimate weekend escape, with Roman attractions set alongside a recently revived restaurant and bar scene. Visitors can explore the ancient Roman Baths, admire the stunning Gothic architecture of Bath Abbey, and take a stroll along the elegant Royal Crescent, one of the city's most iconic streets. The historic city also makes for a great launch pad for some of England's iconic Lochs and wilder areas of its breathtaking landscapes. 🎯 97.78 | Getty Images