Durham has shockingly been ranked as the UK’s second ugliest city – scoring only 1.9/10 – despite its historical and world-leading status, according to a recent survey.  

The study, carried out by company Atlas Ceramics, has branded the city ‘second ugliest’ after analysing the number of boutique hotels, listed buildings and monuments, interior designers, and architects in each UK destination to reveal the ugliest (+ most beautiful) locations in the country.

Within the research, Durham was given second spot – sandwiched between Northern Irish city of Derry in first, and Sheffield in third, scoring a meagre 2.21/10 for its aesthetics.

Surprisingly, Durham’s ranking as the UK’s second ugliest city came despite its cathedral achieving UNESCO world heritage status.

But with the lowest proportion of architects and ranking second-last for its proportion of interior designers, listed buildings and monument, it was consigned to the ‘ugly’ list by Atlas Ceramics.

In contrast to the ugliest cities, Oxford took the crown as the UK’s most beautiful city, with a score of 8.39/10.

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The city of dreaming spires takes the top spot thanks to having a whopping 26 listed buildings and monuments per square kilometre, while also having 72.6 interior designers per 100,000 people and ranks well for its proportion of architects too.

Meanwhile, Canterbury was named the chicest city in the study, with London, Manchester and Liverpool named among the most beautiful cities on TikTok and Instagram.

For those reading the article in disbelief about Durham’s ranking, or even inclusion, on the ugliest locations rankings – take it with a pinch of salt, due to the city also reaching 25th place in a study undertaken by Atlas Ceramics.

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