Worcester named 9th best city in the UK by The Telegraph

Overall the city achieved ninth place after the newspaper considered several categories including culture and heritage in which Worcester ranked fourth place.

The newspaper's rating has come as no shock to one city cafe owner who said Worcester had lots of positive going for it.

Francini Osorio, owner of Francini Cafe de Colombia, said: "To be honest I am not surprised. 

"It is a lovely city with a lovely mixture of culture, archaeology and heritage. 

Francini Café de Colombia (Image: Francini Osorio)

"There are lots of nice places like our café, to eat or have a night out. 

"In comparison with other cities, Worcester is a very safe city and the economy is much safer."

The number of Unesco World Heritage sites, museums, listed buildings and festivals were used to rank cities under the culture and heritage rating.

Worcester Cathedral (Image: PA)

The interim dean of Worcester Cathedral, Canon Stephen Edwards, said: "I am not surprised that Worcester is in the top ten for best cities in the UK. 

"We welcome thousands of visitors to the cathedral each year who always comment on how wonderful this cathedral city is - a riverside setting for one of England's finest cathedrals in a city which has been at the heart of the nation's history and now offers something for everyone. 

"It could rightly rise higher."

Transport was rated by distance to a major airport and train time to London by The Telegraph.

Kepax bridge (Image: Newsquest)

David Blake, managing director of Worcester City Council said: “Our city enjoys a beautiful riverside location, spectacular historic buildings, a compelling independent retail offer, a healthy local economy, and a lifestyle that comes with easy access to the countryside and major transport routes.

"Worcester City Council is working hard to continue to enhance the city for residents, businesses and visitors alike and it is good to see Worcester’s many attractions receiving the recognition they deserve.”

Seventy-six cities in the UK and Worcester were ranked within 25 criteria and four categories. 

These were hospitality and amenities, culture and heritage, nature and green spaces, and transport. 

Worcester ranked 23rd, fourth, 12th and 35th respectively. 

Hospitality and amenities were ranked by Michelin-listed restaurants, top-rated pubs, Airbnb listings, hotels and crime rate. 

Nature and green space was ranked by the size of the biggest park, distance to an area of outstanding beauty, distance to a national park and average hours of sunshine and rainfall per year.