CITY LOVING

I’ve found the ‘city of the future’ – it has the UK’s cheapest beers and A-listers love it

The city is already a hit with A-listers like Paul Rudd

6 underrated cities in the UK

A MAN who has visited all 76 cities in the UK has called Wrexham a “city of the future” for tourists thanks to its A-list glow-up.

Travel guide creator Peter Naldrett, who lives in Sheffield, believes Wrexham will be an upcoming tourist destination in the next few years.

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One expert has called Wrexham the city of the future

Travel writer Peter Naldrett visited every UK city for his new book Bright Lights, Big Cities, which was published earlier this year

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Actors like Paul Rudd (pictured) have been spotted at games and sharing pints with fans in local pubs

Wrexham – home to just under 45,000 people – was given city status in 2022 after winning the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours.

Peter, who visited every UK city while researching his book, , wouldn’t be surprised if Wrexham became a tourist magnet in the next few years.

Talking exclusively to the Sun Newspaper, he said: “The city of the future is Wrexham and quite unusually it’s all about football.

Wrexham AFC had a Hollywood buyout and the football is actually going brilliantly well with promotions for the Welsh side.

“This, coupled with the TV show, means more people are coming to every game, selling out stadiums.

“The knock-on effect for hotels and restaurants will be an upward spiral for maybe the next five or 10 years.

“If everything goes well, I think visitors could see a museum opening, like the Wrexham Story, or some activities for the kids.”

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and Welsh valleys, Wrexham has already been rising in popularity among holidaymakers.

The interest in Wrexham as a holiday destination has a lot to do with its football team and its celebrity owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Since the buyout from the Hollywood stars, the Red Dragons have been promoted back to the football league for the first time in 15 years.

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They filmed the whole thing for a popular Disney+ series called Welcome to Wrexham, bringing wider appeal to the town, attracting people from beyond the UK.

And some of their celeb pals like Paul Rudd and Hugh Jackman have been spotted watching games in the Welsh football stadium.

Until these potential attractions open, there are plenty of other places for visitors to enjoy, including amazing walks, water sports and crucially, some very cheap pints.

In 2022, according to , Wrexham was the cheapest place in the UK to get a beer.

They reported that the average cost of a pint in the town was “just £2.09 – almost £4 cheaper than the nation’s most expensive spot” which, of course, was London.

If you’re not a big drinker, there are plenty of outdoor activities in the surrounding areas.

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Away from its football fame, there are plenty of other outdoor attractions in the Welsh city, including Llangollen aqueduct

One of those is the Llangollen aqueduct, which visitors can kayak over, while sampling the breathtaking surrounding views.

There’s also the Clwydian mountain range and Dee Valley area of outstanding natural beauty, which both have walks to suit every ability.

The  says that the area “is an outstanding place to explore on foot” with some “challenging long-distance routes that are of national importance”.

For the less outdoorsy, there’s plenty to do in the town as well, including National Trust property Erddig.

The Grade-I listed property features a 17th century country house, a restored walled garden and outbuildings.

There are also play areas and places to eat, making it an excellent place for a family day out.

Although Wrexham itself isn’t coastal, it’s not too far from it, with Talacre beach in Flintshire less than an hour’s drive away.

Here's one other football 'town' Brits can visit

RICHMOND in south-west London also rose to fame thanks to fictional football team AFC Richmond.

The London district was used as one of the filming locations for the hit television show Ted Lasso, which stars Jason Sudeikis.

The award-winning show is all about an American with no football knowledge taking over an English football club because the owner wants to spite her ex-husband.

Thanks to the show’s success, there’s a Ted Lasso tour to spot all the filming locations, including Paved Court Road which was used as the exterior shot of Ted Lasso’s home.

Actress and tour guide Emmy McMorrow was the first person to run these bespoke tours and has been swamped with bookings from US tourists.

The Kent town of Margate was featured in the new Hollywood blockbuster Empire of Light, starring Olivia Colman.

Meanwhile, a magical beach in the UK where Harry Potter was filmed has been called a “surfer’s paradise” by fans of the franchise.

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Wrexham is also home to some of the cheapest pints in the country, perfect for afternoons spent watching the footie at the pub
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