Greater London came out on top, with the county having the most world heritage sites by virtue of Maritime Greenwich, Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Tower of London. The area also has the most Mercury Prize winners born in the country with a total of 16 locals having scooped the prestigious musical award.Greater London came out on top, with the county having the most world heritage sites by virtue of Maritime Greenwich, Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Tower of London. The area also has the most Mercury Prize winners born in the country with a total of 16 locals having scooped the prestigious musical award.
Greater London came out on top, with the county having the most world heritage sites by virtue of Maritime Greenwich, Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Tower of London. The area also has the most Mercury Prize winners born in the country with a total of 16 locals having scooped the prestigious musical award. | Adobe Stock

The 9 most desirable English counties for history and culture ranked - according to The Telegraph

Benjamin Jackson
By Benjamin Jackson

Music and tickets writer

Published 30th Oct 2024, 11:51 BST

Let the arguments regarding whose county is better begin, as The Telegraph release its annual ranking

The newsroom is abuzz this morning after The Telegraph released their annual round up of England’s 48 counties, ranked best to worst.

While we don’t want to reveal all 48 counties in order, eliciting what we can only imagine to be a War of the Roses-style argument over whose county is better, we were interested in breaking down which counties were considered the top when it comes to history and culture. 

The methodology that The Telegraph adopted to determine their rankings included the number of World Heritage Sites, number of museums and galleries (as listed on TripAdvisor), number of National Trust listings, number of English Heritage properties, number of Church of England cathedrals and Mercury Prize winners born in that county. 

There were also additional points awarded if the county hosts Premier League football, Premiership Rugby or First Class cricket.

So who came out on top, and do you agree with The Telegraph’s rankings?

Sorry West Yorkshire - North Yorkshire comes fifth in The Telegraph’s list of the best counties for history and culture. Despite West Yorkshire ranking high due to having two Church of England cathedrals, North Yorkshire comes out on top due to the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, four National Landscapes, 66 museums and galleries and 23 English Heritage properties among the newspaper’s considerations for its placement.

5. North Yorkshire

Sorry West Yorkshire - North Yorkshire comes fifth in The Telegraph’s list of the best counties for history and culture. Despite West Yorkshire ranking high due to having two Church of England cathedrals, North Yorkshire comes out on top due to the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, four National Landscapes, 66 museums and galleries and 23 English Heritage properties among the newspaper’s considerations for its placement. | National World

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Cumbria immediately scored big points with The Telegraph due to the Lake District, but with its 14 Michelin stars, 25 National Trust listings and 24 English Heritage properties, the weather in the area is the least of visitors worries when compared to what the county has on offer.

6. Cumbria

Cumbria immediately scored big points with The Telegraph due to the Lake District, but with its 14 Michelin stars, 25 National Trust listings and 24 English Heritage properties, the weather in the area is the least of visitors worries when compared to what the county has on offer. | Adobe Stock

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With 105 museums and galleries, 15 English Heritage properties, and both First Class Cricket and Premier League football (for now, Southampton fans), Hampshire came out seventh in The Telegraphs rankings for the counties with the most history and culture in 2024.

7. Hampshire

With 105 museums and galleries, 15 English Heritage properties, and both First Class Cricket and Premier League football (for now, Southampton fans), Hampshire came out seventh in The Telegraphs rankings for the counties with the most history and culture in 2024. | Eric Laudonien/Adobe Stock

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Despite coming in eighth on the list, Cornwall can proudly boast that it has the most National Trust listings compared to other counties on the list with a staggering 47 sites. The county’s mining landscape and history also earned UNESCO World Heritage status.

8. Cornwall

Despite coming in eighth on the list, Cornwall can proudly boast that it has the most National Trust listings compared to other counties on the list with a staggering 47 sites. The county’s mining landscape and history also earned UNESCO World Heritage status. | Ian Woolcock/Adobe Stock

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