Britain’s ‘worst town’ in 2026 named but you should visit for one reason | UK | Travel

Britain’s « worst town » in 2026 has been officially named — and Watford received the title. The list evaluates towns across the country based on factors like culture, history, architecture, attractions, and overall appeal. And this particular town in Hertfordshire landed at the very bottom.

Due to the new ranking by The Telegraph, Watford might seem like a place to avoid, but appearances can be deceiving. In fact, there’s one major reason that makes it a surprisingly worthwhile destination for visitors. Due to this hidden gem, Watford has a side that the ranking simply doesn’t capture.

Why is Watford the worst town?

Destination Expert Chris Moss at The Telegraph ranked the town a poor 0.5 out of 10. He went on to explain his reasons why and stated: « Gateway to London or last exit to the humdrum?

« In 1992, Watford sacrificed its town centre to one of the UK’s biggest shopping spaces, the Harlequin Centre, which later became an Intu, then Atria Watford, but is now wearing the clown’s name once again following concerted local campaigning. »

You need to visit Watford for this major reason

Watford dates back to the 12th century, growing from a busy market route into a « thriving town » whose early heritage is still reflected in sites like St Mary’s Church and the 1580 Bedford Almshouses, as reported by Watford Actually.

In the 19th century, the arrival of the Grand Union Canal and the railway in 1837 connected the town to London, sparking rapid industrial growth, population expansion, and changes in local government. This transformation led to borough status in 1922, marking Watford’s evolution.

« Today, Watford is not only a place of work and leisure but also a town proud of its heritage. Its past continues to shape its identity, offering residents and visitors alike a deeper connection to the community, » said Watford Actually.

Despite the Telegraph’s low ranking of the town, the expert highlighted one attraction everyone should visit when exploring Watford. The expert said: « The one tourist-grabbing attraction is Warner Bros Studios’ Making of Harry Potter Tour (from £58.50 per person) at Leavesden, north of the town. »

During this tour, fans of the iconic franchise can immerse themselves in sets like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley. Potter fans can get a close-up of props, costumes, visit the art department and see how the visual effects were created. 

The Harry Potter tour currently has 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor. One visitor shared their « magic » experience on the review site and stated: « A must-see experience for all Harry Potter lovers, I recommend booking tickets well in advance that end immediately, especially those in the morning slot, which allows you to visit everything calmly (we entered at 10).

« About halfway through the visit, there is a large dining area with a bar and a fast food restaurant that allows you to eat something and relax. We arrived by car and parked in the large parking lot adjacent to the entrance for free. »

Another said: « Really fun time at Harry Potter world, lots to do and see, ended up being a full day. Afternoon tea was a really nice birthday treat, the staff were amazing, including Steve, who was a great host and our waitress Tamara, who was brilliant and welcoming. Overall, a brilliant day out. »

The Telegraph’s full list of best to worst towns

1. Blackpool
2. Cheltenham
3. Ipswich
4. Rochdale
5. Gateshead
6. Worthing
7. Bournemouth
8. Poole
9. Stockport
10. Blackburn
11. Bolton
12. Huddersfield
13. Warrington
14. Swindon
15. Reading
16. Slough
17. Northampton
18. Middlesbrough
19. Telford
20. Basingstoke
21. Basildon
22. Oldham
23. Luton
24. Crawley
25. Watford

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