Three years ago I was writing a travel-blog for a company that no longer exists. Like many other countries, England is best-known for its capital city: London. But this is unfair as there are many other great cities. And I wanted to highlight some of the alternatives to London. Thus, I spent the next three years visiting the thirty-five English cities I have never been to before. These are my top five cities. One caveat: I don’t spend more than a day in these cities, which obviously isn’t the same as living here. Being a tourist isn’t the same as a citizen. What I’ve seen of these cities is a mere snapshot – and a very surface-level snapshot at that. No doubt you won’t agree with my choices especially number four. That’s fine. It’s 2026. We can disagree with each other.

5: Hereford

In fifth place is Hereford which takes its name form a river crossing shallow enough for an army to use. I was fortunate enough to visit here in the summer where I could go walking in the gorgeous river Wye. I also had a pint of crisp apple cider and saw a brilliant honesty shop where I could play snooker by myself. With a friendly and bustling city centre, Hereford definitely makes the top five. Why is it not higher? I was bitter at paying £13 for a salmon bagel lunch in a cafe near the cathedral.

4: Milton Keynes

Yes you read that correctly. I said Milton Keynes. I said what I said. DON’T @ me. Its name comes from an English bastardisation of the original Norman name: Cahaignes with Milton meaning middle town. The critics of Milton Keynes says it’s soulless, but I enjoyed my time here.

This city introduced me to the delicious Indian food of Dhosa – a savoury rice-flour pancake that can be accessorised with a number of fillings. I’ve since eaten Dhosa in Oxford, Wolverhampton, Reading and Harrow, but nothing compares to here. Also the view from the Pyramid of Light looked spectacular in the sunshine. And there was no better to visit in the summer than Campbell Park. I definitely need to go back.

3: Chester

I visited Chester – Latin for castle – very early on in my mission to visit thirty-five English cities, but it set the bar for outstanding natural scenery. I’m not quite sure if anything since has matched the magnificent River Dee. Plus, I also ate the most flavourful, delicious pierogi here. And at the end of 2024, I went to Poland and Chester’s pierogi was superior. If you want to go here, I would definitely recommend visiting during the summer.

2: Canterbury

This is where it all began: Canterbury – a castle where the Canta tribe lived. And perhaps that’s why it ranks so highly. I’ve attached some form of romanticism to the city. But this isn’t just rose-tinted glasses or grass always greener type scenario. The city is best known for its bustling, friendly city centre as well as its splendid cathedral. As long-term readers know, I am pretty spendthrift/stubborn in paying to visit cathedrals, but this was well worth the money. And if you’re going to Canterbury, you have to go to the Fudge Kitchen. It was absolutely perfect fudge.

1: Ely

Unlike every other city I have visited in Cambridgeshire, I visited the city of Ely – named after its abundance of eels – in December yet it is my favourite city. And that’s saying something.

I can’t really put my finger on why? As soon as I stepped off the train, I got good vibes from the city. These vibes visited throughout my day there from the lovely cathedral where I could do some dress-up, to the natural scenery and abundance of charity shops, it was a winner all around.

You can’t mention Cambridgeshire without also giving a quick honourable mention to its namesake Cambridge which is a very nice city too.

Don’t agree with my choices? That’s fine. Let me know your top five in the comments below.