New research reveals the UK’s best city for art lovers

United Kingdom, 2024-Jul-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Art has been admired in the United Kingdom for thousands of years.  

From decorative artefacts in churches and monasteries built in the early Middle Ages and the English Renaissance to today’s contemporary artists, aesthetes have travelled worldwide to experience the beauty of British art and culture.   

But which city is the ultimate destination for those eager to explore museums, theatres and galleries? 

PACK & SEND – a leading global courier delivery service and logistics provider – has analysed 72 cities in the UK to determine the ultimate destination for a wonderful cultural experience. The study looked at several factors including the number of art galleries, antique stores, museums, and theatres and their average ratings, along with the number of art courses available, and their average price. 

Lincoln in Lincolnshire is revealed as the best art destination in the UK, with an overall ranking of 6.98 out of 10.  

The town has an abundance of antique stores available (142), second only to London. Nearby, tourists can also visit Europe’s largest selection of antique dealers, who offer fascinating collectables for antiquarians.  

Lincoln is also home to 120 museums, the most outstanding selection outside of London. A must-see is the Lincoln Castle, which provides a glimpse into the mediaeval times. The Museum of Lincolnshire Life, another must-see, takes visitors through each era’s culture and rich history. 

For those wanting to do something more practical, Lincoln’s art courses are highly diverse and have the lowest average cost in the study (£23.35). They are perfect for those wanting to learn pottery, participate in contemporary art, or create something abstract to admire later. 

Lichfield takes second place in the study with an overall score of 6.2 out of 10. 

The vibrant cathedral city is well known for its three-spired cathedral, which offers a complete immersion for its visitors. It is one of only three cathedrals in the UK featuring this unique design.  

Lichfield is also a fantastic destination to visit because of the quality of its museums, with an average rating of 4.75. With 14 museums to choose from, the historic city is a haven for those who love to experience the storytelling of these institutions. Art galleries in the city are also rated highly with average reviews of 4.67 out of five. 

Litchfield Arts events bring art to life throughout the year in the vibrant city. Its annual Fuse festival, hosted in July, offers free tickets to the public, ensuring that everyone has access to the arts. 

In third position is Chichester, with an overall score of 6.12. The Roman Cathedral City is the only city in West Sussex, making it a distinctive destination for a variety of art-related activities. 

For those looking to spend their time exploring museums, this city is ideal. It has 17 museums with high average ratings (4.59 out of 5).  

Home of the award-winning Novium Museum, visitors can learn the fascinating story of Chichester District and its rich heritage.  

With plenty of art courses for visitors to learn and create, there is something for everyone. However, the average cost of an art course is £59.26, which is higher than the study average of £45.82, contributing to its slightly lower ranking.  

The abundance of art galleries has also contributed to its score. The galleries have a high average rating of 4.62 out of 5, offering visitors a wide range of art pieces to discover, including fine art, abstract landscapes, and street art.   

The town is also the birthplace of the late figurative painter Harriett Barber and features fantastic religious architecture and a vibrant feel with its surrounding colourful houses.   

In fourth place is Wells, known for its excellent theatres which were ranked with a perfect score of five out of five. The city’s antique stores are also rated highly, with average reviews of 4.8 out of five. 

Preston rounds up the top five with an excellent low average cost for art courses (£28.51). These art course fees are among the lowest in the study. Art galleries in the city have an average rating of 4.86, the second-highest rating in the study.   

Graeme Rhodes, Head of Marketing, PACK & SEND, commented:  

The UK offers the most fantastic art scene with complexity and layers of history behind each building, art piece, and museum. Each city with their own characteristics merits a visit. With this study, we hope to help those embarking on a cultural holiday or trip to perhaps widen their choices and visit some unexpected cities.   

 To view the full study, click here. 

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