The quaint medieval city of Wells in Somerset has claimed the coveted title of the UK's top destination, according to a survey conducted by Which?. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Wells, despite its small size, has found fame as a recurring backdrop in various TV shows and Hollywood films, including notable productions like Hot Fuzz, Dungeons &amp; Dragons, and Wolf Hall.

<h2>The five-star charmer</h2>

Wells received a resounding five-star rating for its overall attractiveness and the plenty of tourist attractions it offers. Its crowning jewel, the stunning Wells Cathedral, contributes significantly to this allure. Additionally, the city secured four stars for its picturesque scenery, shopping venues, and culinary delights, demonstrating its well-rounded appeal to visitors.

<h2>Avebury's ancient allure</h2>

Following closely behind Wells in the rankings is Avebury in Wiltshire. Avebury's claim to fame lies in its awe-inspiring Neolithic stone circle, a relic dating back 5,000 years. The town's thatched cottages and a charming 19th-century pub add to its unique character and helped secure its place among the top destinations.

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<h2>Corfe castle and port sunlight: Sharing third place</h2>

Corfe Castle, a Dorset gem, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and beloved by children's author Enid Blyton, shares the third position with Merseyside's Port Sunlight. Corfe Castle dazzles visitors with its castle ruins and breathtaking vistas over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour. Port Sunlight, originally constructed in 1888 to provide homes for soap factory workers, boasts a four-star rating for its attractiveness, tourist attractions, and value for money. Remarkably, it earns a perfect five stars for peace and tranquility.

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<h2>Discovering the UK's hidden treasures</h2>

The editor of Which? Travel, Rory Boland, expressed his enthusiasm for the diverse range of unique destinations the UK has to offer, from well-known tourist towns to lesser-known villages, reported the Guardian.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the picturesque southwest of the country dominated the top spots, Scotland, Wales, and various regions across England featured in the top 10. This variety ensures that regardless of where you reside, there's an enticing destination right on your doorstep.

<h2>The elite Top 10 destinations</h2>

<ol>
	<li>Wells, Somerset</li>
	<li>Avebury, Wiltshire</li>
	<li>Port Sunlight, Merseyside</li>
	<li>Corfe Castle, Dorset</li>
	<li>Grasmere, Cumbria</li>
	<li>Lavenham, Suffolk</li>
	<li>Llangollen, Derbyshire</li>
	<li>Ludlow, Shropshire</li>
	<li>Stamford, Lincolnshire</li>
	<li>Cartmel, Cumbria</li>
	<li>Church Stretton, Shropshire</li>
</ol>

These destinations offer a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of the UK's cultural and natural heritage, making them must-visit places for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences.

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The quaint medieval city of Wells in Somerset has claimed the coveted title of the UK's top destination, according to a survey conducted by Which?. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Wells, despite its small size, has found fame as a recurring backdrop in various TV shows and Hollywood films, including notable productions like Hot Fuzz, Dungeons & Dragons, and Wolf Hall.

The quaint medieval city of Wells in Somerset has claimed the coveted title of the UK's top destination, according to a survey conducted by Which?. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Wells, despite its small size, has found fame as a recurring backdrop in various TV shows and Hollywood films, including notable productions like Hot Fuzz, Dungeons & Dragons, and Wolf Hall. The five-star charmer Wells received a resounding five-star rating for its overall attractiveness and the plenty of tourist attractions it offers. Its crowning jewel, the stunning Wells Cathedral, contributes significantly to this allure. Additionally, the city secured four stars for its picturesque scenery, shopping venues, and culinary delights, demonstrating its well-rounded appeal to visitors. Avebury's ancient allure Following closely behind Wells in the rankings is Avebury in Wiltshire. Avebury's claim to fame lies in its awe-inspiring Neolithic stone circle, a relic dating back 5,000 years. The town's thatched cottages and a charming 19th-century pub add to its unique character and helped secure its place among the top destinations. Also watch | Equal pay crisis hits UK's Birmingham Corfe castle and port sunlight: Sharing third place Corfe Castle, a Dorset gem, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and beloved by children's author Enid Blyton, shares the third position with Merseyside's Port Sunlight. Corfe Castle dazzles visitors with its castle ruins and breathtaking vistas over the Purbeck Hills to Poole Harbour. Port Sunlight, originally constructed in 1888 to provide homes for soap factory workers, boasts a four-star rating for its attractiveness, tourist attractions, and value for money. Remarkably, it earns a perfect five stars for peace and tranquility. Also read | UK and India nearing a free trade agreement: Reports Discovering the UK's hidden treasures The editor of Which? Travel, Rory Boland, expressed his enthusiasm for the diverse range of unique destinations the UK has to offer, from well-known tourist towns to lesser-known villages, reported the Guardian. While the picturesque southwest of the country dominated the top spots, Scotland, Wales, and various regions across England featured in the top 10. This variety ensures that regardless of where you reside, there's an enticing destination right on your doorstep. The elite Top 10 destinations Wells, Somerset Avebury, Wiltshire Port Sunlight, Merseyside Corfe Castle, Dorset Grasmere, Cumbria Lavenham, Suffolk Llangollen, Derbyshire Ludlow, Shropshire Stamford, Lincolnshire Cartmel, Cumbria Church Stretton, Shropshire These destinations offer a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of the UK's cultural and natural heritage, making them must-visit places for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK's medieval city of Wells becomes nation's top tourist destination

Ancient Mayan city discovered in Mexican jungle

In pics - Ruins of hidden 3,400-year-old city found after severe drought in Iraq

According to researchers, an ancient city was destroyed by a cosmic airburst.

Researchers found the city of Tall el-Hammam in the middle Bronze Age in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea experienced a cosmic impact which destroyed the city.

The city was apparently raised to the ground due to the "large cosmic airburst". However, researchers said there is "no scientific proof" that the destroyed city was Sodom mentioned in&nbsp;the Old Testament.

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Researchers said they found “highly unusual” materials at the Tall el-Hammam site included pottery with its outer surfaces melted into glass. The researchers detected temperatures over 2,000 degrees Celsius.

The explosion reportedly destroyed the mudbrick structure of the city as the study found fragmented skeletons.

The study group also analysed the soil content to arrive at its conclusion while finding "melted metals" at the spot.

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They also reportedly found "shocked quartz" indicating an airburst near Tall el-Hammam. Also, a large concentration of salt was also found due to "high impact pressures" which researchers said may have also partly hit the Dead Sea which is rich in salt.

"The proposed airburst was larger than the 1908 explosion over Tunguska, Russia," the study said adding that it airburst demolished "4 to-5-story palace complex and the massive 4-meter thick mudbrick rampart".

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

According to researchers, an ancient city was destroyed by a cosmic airburst. Researchers found the city of Tall el-Hammam in the middle Bronze Age in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea experienced a cosmic impact which destroyed the city.

According to researchers, an ancient city was destroyed by a cosmic airburst. Researchers found the city of Tall el-Hammam in the middle Bronze Age in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea experienced a cosmic impact which destroyed the city. The city was apparently raised to the ground due to the "large cosmic airburst". However, researchers said there is "no scientific proof" that the destroyed city was Sodom mentioned in the Old Testament. Also Read: Nuking a rogue asteroid is a safe strategy for Earth after all, says study Researchers said they found “highly unusual” materials at the Tall el-Hammam site included pottery with its outer surfaces melted into glass. The researchers detected temperatures over 2,000 degrees Celsius. The explosion reportedly destroyed the mudbrick structure of the city as the study found fragmented skeletons. The study group also analysed the soil content to arrive at its conclusion while finding "melted metals" at the spot. Also Read: Winds on Jupiter are speeding up and no one knows why They also reportedly found "shocked quartz" indicating an airburst near Tall el-Hammam. Also, a large concentration of salt was also found due to "high impact pressures" which researchers said may have also partly hit the Dead Sea which is rich in salt. "The proposed airburst was larger than the 1908 explosion over Tunguska, Russia," the study said adding that it airburst demolished "4 to-5-story palace complex and the massive 4-meter thick mudbrick rampart". (With inputs from Agencies)

How an airburst destroyed an ancient city in Jordan Valley

Archaeologists have discovered what is being believed to be the largest ancient city found in Egypt since the unearthing of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

A famous Egyptologist Zahi Hawass discovered a “lost golden city” near Luxor, which is hailed to be the Valley of the Kings.

"The Egyptian mission under Dr Zahi Hawass found the city that was lost under the sand," the archaeologists said. "The city is 3,000 years old, dates to the reign of Amenhotep III, and continued to be used by Tutankhamun and Ay."

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Known as Aten, it is being called the largest find of an ancient city in Egypt and is being hailed as the second most important “archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun”.

Experts also unearthed pieces of jewellery and coloured pottery vessels, scarab beetle amulets. Mud bricks bearing the seals of Amenhotep III were also found.

However, the city had been hard to locate as a former antiquities minister revealed that “Many foreign missions searched for this city and never found it”.

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The excavations began in September 2020 in Cairo between the temples of Ramses III and Amenhotep III near Luxor.

“Within weeks, to the team’s great surprise, formations of mud bricks began to appear in all directions,” the statement read. “What they unearthed was the site of a large city in a good condition of preservation, with almost complete walls, and with rooms filled with tools of daily life.”

The experts were also able to unearth several neighbourhoods, including a bakery fitted with ovens and storage, administrative and residential districts.

“The archaeological layers have laid untouched for thousands of years, left by the ancient residents as if it were yesterday,” the experts said.

Archaeologists have discovered what is being believed to be the largest ancient city found in Egypt since the unearthing of Tutankhamun’s tomb. A famous Egyptologist Zahi Hawass discovered a “lost golden city” near Luxor, which is hailed to be the Valley of the Kings.

Archaeologists have discovered what is being believed to be the largest ancient city found in Egypt since the unearthing of Tutankhamun’s tomb. A famous Egyptologist Zahi Hawass discovered a “lost golden city” near Luxor, which is hailed to be the Valley of the Kings. "The Egyptian mission under Dr Zahi Hawass found the city that was lost under the sand," the archaeologists said. "The city is 3,000 years old, dates to the reign of Amenhotep III, and continued to be used by Tutankhamun and Ay." Also read | Aquatic ecosystems source of half of global methane emissions: Study Known as Aten, it is being called the largest find of an ancient city in Egypt and is being hailed as the second most important “archaeological discovery since the tomb of Tutankhamun”. Experts also unearthed pieces of jewellery and coloured pottery vessels, scarab beetle amulets. Mud bricks bearing the seals of Amenhotep III were also found. However, the city had been hard to locate as a former antiquities minister revealed that “Many foreign missions searched for this city and never found it”. Also read | France: Archaeologists unearth 3D map from Bronze Age The excavations began in September 2020 in Cairo between the temples of Ramses III and Amenhotep III near Luxor. “Within weeks, to the team’s great surprise, formations of mud bricks began to appear in all directions,” the statement read. “What they unearthed was the site of a large city in a good condition of preservation, with almost complete walls, and with rooms filled with tools of daily life.” The experts were also able to unearth several neighbourhoods, including a bakery fitted with ovens and storage, administrative and residential districts. “The archaeological layers have laid untouched for thousands of years, left by the ancient residents as if it were yesterday,” the experts said.

Ancient city, second largest to Tutankhamun, discovered in Egypt

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the&nbsp;remains&nbsp;of a&nbsp;5,000-year-old&nbsp;city&nbsp;they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.

"We have here an immense urban construction, planned with streets that separate neighbourhoods and public spaces," Yitzhak Paz of the&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;Antiquities Authority told AFP at the site near the Mediterranean in the country's centre.

He called it a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age.

The archaeological site, known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region, said Itai Elad, another archaeologist overseeing the excavation.

"It is 0.65 square kilometres, meaning double of what we know", said Elad.

A ritual temple was found within the ancient&nbsp;city&nbsp;along with rare figurines with human and animal faeces, they said.

It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings.

The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery.

Paz said the ancient&nbsp;city&nbsp;was the "first steps in the process of urbanisation" in what was Canaan at the time.

Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery.

Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad.

Some of the tools came from Egypt, the archaeologists said.

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An amazing find: Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 5000 year old huge city from the Early Bronze Age, the largest from that era in the entire Middle East. Underneath it, they also found a 7000 year old settlement! 
 
The Land of Israel - it's where it all started. <a href="https://t.co/A8bETYbHDd">pic.twitter.com/A8bETYbHDd</a>
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ofirgendelman/status/1180804664943661057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Standing before a wooden table where some of the findings were displayed, Elad showed some of the more impressive of the fragments, including a club that could have been used as a weapon.

"Thousands of people lived here from agriculture and commerce," said Paz, with estimates putting the number at between&nbsp;5,000 and 6,000.

He said the site was abandoned in the third century BC for unknown reasons.

The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of&nbsp;5,000 teenagers and volunteers.

The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery. "We have here an immense urban construction, planned with streets that separate neighbourhoods and public spaces," Yitzhak Paz of the Israel Antiquities Authority told AFP at the site near the Mediterranean in the country's centre. He called it a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age. The archaeological site, known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region, said Itai Elad, another archaeologist overseeing the excavation. "It is 0.65 square kilometres, meaning double of what we know", said Elad. A ritual temple was found within the ancient city along with rare figurines with human and animal faeces, they said. It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings. The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery. Paz said the ancient city was the "first steps in the process of urbanisation" in what was Canaan at the time. Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery. Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad. Some of the tools came from Egypt, the archaeologists said. An amazing find: Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 5000 year old huge city from the Early Bronze Age, the largest from that era in the entire Middle East. Underneath it, they also found a 7000 year old settlement! The Land of Israel - it's where it all started. pic.twitter.com/A8bETYbHDd — Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) October 6, 2019 × Standing before a wooden table where some of the findings were displayed, Elad showed some of the more impressive of the fragments, including a club that could have been used as a weapon. "Thousands of people lived here from agriculture and commerce," said Paz, with estimates putting the number at between 5,000 and 6,000. He said the site was abandoned in the third century BC for unknown reasons. The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of 5,000 teenagers and volunteers. The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.

Israel unveils remains of 5,000-year-old city

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