Chester has been recognised as the most welcoming city in the UK while also holding the title of the country’s most haunted city, according to recent surveys.
Chester, a historic city in Cheshire, England, has been recognised as the most welcoming city in the United Kingdom, according to Booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards. The award highlights the city’s “strong sense of community” and “mysterious past,” reflecting positive feedback from customers who booked their stay through the online platform.
The recognition comes alongside Chester’s title as the UK’s most haunted city, a distinction determined through a survey of 2,000 individuals who identify as believers in the supernatural. Approximately 15% of respondents named Chester as their top choice for haunted locales, placing it ahead of other notable cities such as York, Edinburgh, Bath, and Glasgow.
The survey also indicated a growing trend in interest towards haunted travel experiences, with more than 40% of participants expressing a willingness to stay in accommodations reputed to be haunted. Furthermore, nearly 20% indicated a preference for actively seeking such experiences during their travels. Interestingly, 38% of those surveyed mentioned that they would find comfort in the presence of a friendly spirit residing in their hotel room.
Chester caters to these curious travelers with a variety of historic hotels and ghostly tours. Notable establishments include The Pied Bull, and guided experiences such as the Dark Chester Tour, which explores the city’s rich past of witches, plagues, and poltergeists.
Ryan Pearson, regional manager at Booking.com, highlighted Chester’s appeal, stating, “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.”
The survey, which serves as the basis for these findings, was conducted in February by research company OnePoll. Chester’s dual identity as both a welcoming and haunted destination presents a unique attraction for tourists seeking both historic charm and spectral intrigue.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/new-rankings-hailed-as-chester-named-most-welcoming-uk-city-and-makes-global-top-ten-/ – This URL supports the claim that Chester has been recognized as the most welcoming city in the UK and tenth globally in Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards, highlighting its historic charm and community spirit.
- https://thechesterblog.com/2025/01/28/chester-voted-most-welcoming-place-in-the-uk/ – This article further corroborates Chester’s status as the most welcoming place in the UK, based on traveller reviews, and its ranking in the global list.
- https://cheshireandwarrington.com/latest-news/tourism-chiefs-praise-chester-s-world-class-offering-after-its-named-among-most-welcoming-cities-on-earth/ – This URL highlights Chester’s world-class attractions and hospitality, which contribute to its welcoming nature, as recognized by tourism chiefs and Booking.com’s awards.
- https://www.booking.com/ – Booking.com is the platform that conducted the Traveller Review Awards, which named Chester as the most welcoming city in the UK and tenth globally.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article discussing Chester’s dual identity as both welcoming and haunted, though it does not provide specific survey data or external validation.
- https://www.onepoll.com/ – OnePoll is the research company that conducted the survey on haunted travel experiences, though specific results or methodologies may not be available on their website.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent awards and surveys, indicating relatively fresh content. However, specific dates for the awards or survey results are not detailed, which could suggest some information might be from previous years.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The quote from Ryan Pearson, regional manager at Booking.com, does not appear to be widely referenced online, suggesting it might be original or recent. However, without further context or earlier references, its originality cannot be fully confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable publication known for its reliability and credibility in reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Chester being welcoming and haunted are plausible given its historical context and tourist attractions. However, the survey’s methodology and specific results could benefit from more detailed verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with recent awards and surveys mentioned. The source is reliable, and the claims are plausible. While some details could be verified further, the overall content seems credible.
