The accolades just keep on coming for Manchester, with it already being named one of the best cities in the UK by Condé Nast Traveller and home to the UK’s best cafe culture, and now crowned one of the friendliest cities. Based on those achievements, Manchester is clearly doing something right.
We can’t deny the fact that we’re a friendly bunch. Whether it be the old lady at the bus stop who’ll tell you her whole life story, a barista who remembers your regular order and asks how you are getting on, or a random person who helped direct you when you once took a wrong turn.
Manchester knocked the majority of the cities in the UK out of the park by coming out almost on top of the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards for being the friendliest, beating off competition from the likes of Edinburgh, London and Bath to secure joint second place out of the ten cities published from their survey, along with our neighbour Liverpool and Northern Ireland’s beautiful Belfast – but it was wonderful Welsh Cardiff that took first place.
Condé Nast Traveller wrote: “The world’s first industrial city and home to the UK’s first ever working canal, Manchester has come a long way since the 19th century, though it still retains its historical charm and nods to its heritage can be spotted around the city.
“In and among the modern shopping destinations, an exciting arts and culture scene and a foodie scene that is continually reinventing itself, we defy you to be immune to this Northern city’s charm.”
To add to the commendations for Manchester, the city was also ranked one of the best in the UK in the magazine’s Reader Choice Awards. Scored out of 100, Manchester received a score of 85.36 and came in fourth place, being pipped by Edinburgh and London, with Cardiff nabbing first place. Another Manchester accolade in the Condé Nast list was seeing the Whitworth Locke apartments represent the city as one of the best places to stay in the UK.