York is nation's favourite city
YORK has been voted the nation's favourite British city in a new national poll.
The city's cobbled streets, city walls and historic charm won it pride of place in the Daily Telegraph Travel Awards, knocking London off its six-year top spot.
Edinburgh and Bath were placed second and third respectively, while London slipped to fourth - despite winning the award for six years in a row
Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said more than four million visitors each year praised the city's buildings, distinctive shops and character.
"York is very different from London - a more compact, very manageable city and one that people immediately feel at home in," she said. "This is helped by the fact that you can arrive by train and in five minutes you are walking around the city centre surround by evidence of 2,000 years of history."
Mrs Cruddas said to receive the award was a great endorsement of visitor's comments.
She said: "We have an excellent mix of accommodation from luxury hotels, quaint B and B's and city centre apartments. We were also one of the first cities to have a pedestrianised centre and this is now used for a whole variety of events and festivals and street entertainment throughout the year."
She said: "We are hosting Royal Ascot at York in June 2005 and will be promoting York as the City of Festivals."
Telegraph travel editor Graham Boynton said: "The Telegraph Travel Awards are based on the genuine opinions and experiences of the UK's most affluent travellers and holidaymakers."
See the floods from the Bridge over the River
Fact: The worst floods in York's history, in November 2000, affected only 5% of the area of the City of York. We guarantee, no matter how bad the floods are, that you will be able to visit 90% of York's attractions, shops, restaurants and bars - or you can take your holiday for free!
