The south west of England has been named the number one place in the world to go in 2025 in a prestigious newspaper ranking.
The region tops an annual list of 52 “best destinations” according to The New York Times (NYT)which urges people to explore the area because it has strong links to Jane Austen and this year is the 250th anniversary of her birth.
“Celebrations abound,” comments the newspaper.
Other places on the list include Greenland, Sydney, Scotland, east London and a US city famous for its high crime rate.
Explaining why the southwest of England is the best place to be this year, the NYT says: ‘Jane Austen fans have a good reason to explore the southwest of England this year: it’s the 250th anniversary of her birth and celebrations abound. .
‘Hampshire was both Austen’s birthplace and a source of inspiration; as a novelist, she was most prolific in this bucolic environment. Start in Jane Austen’s Househis former country house, which hosts an exhibition and themed festivals.
‘Jane Austen’s Country Fair will liven up Steventon in July, while Southampton will showcase Austen’s traveling desk and present the irreverent hit show “Pride and prejudice* (*sort of).”
‘In Winchester, activities include literary readings, guided walks, access to Winchester College and a new statue at Winchester Cathedral, his final resting place. In Bath, the Jane Austen Center is pulling out all the stops, with balls and his Grand Regency costumed walk.
The south west of England has been named the number one place to visit in the world in 2025 by The New York Times, which is urging people to explore the area because it has strong links to Jane Austen and this year is the 250th anniversary of her birth . She recommends visiting the Jane Austen Center in Bath (pictured above), where she lived for five years.
Greenland is opening a “shiny new international airport,” explains the NYT
Sydney earns a spot in the ranking for its reputation as a ‘seafood mecca’ and its ‘expanding’ metro network
“Further afield there are sites used as locations for Austen film adaptations, such as Stourheadin Wiltshire, which appears in the 2005 version of “Pride and Prejudice.”‘
Visit West further explains that in Bath – where Austen lived, from 1801 to 1806 – there will be a ‘Persuasion nautical-themed ball’ on May 31, a ‘Sanditon coastal-themed ball’ on June 28 and a ‘special birthday ball’. Christmas’ on December 13 at the Jane Austen Center.
“When the celebrated author Jane Austen made Bath her home, the city was a thriving seaside resort, popular with fashionable society,” says Visit Bath.
The tourist office adds: “Retrace Jane’s steps on your visit to Bath and you’ll discover the same elegant yet vibrant city that provided inspiration for two of her six published novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.”
Explaining why Greenland is also on the list, the NYT highlights its upcoming “shining new international airport,” adding that it is “expected to attract many new visitors eager to see the northern lights, vast glaciers, fjords, and much more on this giant Arctic island.
Sydney earns a place in the ranking for its reputation as a ‘seafood mecca’ and its ‘expanding’ subway network, reveals the NYT. He explains: “You can’t live in Sydney without a great awe of the sea, where both sustenance and communion meet” and recommends tourists head to the city to feast on the Sydney Fish Marketthat this year will receive a renewed market.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Flow Country became the first peat bog to gain UNESCO recognition, with the NYT adding: “It is one of the world’s largest carbon reserves, making it key to the fight against climate change.” climate change”. It is home to diverse wildlife. And it’s impressive.’
And east London, says the NYT, is the “last cultural hotbed” of the UK capital. The document highlights several upcoming new openings, including the new East Sadler Wells contemporary dance theater in February and the V&A East Storehouse, which will open a David Bowie Center in September.
The NYT suggests visiting Stourhead in Wiltshire, pictured above, where the 2005 version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was filmed.
Scotland’s Flow Country is the first peat bog recognized by UNESCO. The NYT adds: ‘It is one of the largest carbon deposits in the world, making it key to the fight against climate change’
The NYT calls east London the capital’s “last cultural hotbed.” Highlights upcoming opening of Sadler’s Wells East contemporary dance theater (pictured above)
Detroit finds a place in the ranking “as it shows notable signs of renewal”
New Orleans is one of several US destinations that made the list. It will host the 11th Super Bowl in February.
On the other side of the pond, Detroit, associated for years with urban decline, finds a place in the classification because “today it shows notable signs of renewal.”
The NYT adds: “The biggest addition looms over the Detroit River: The 1.5-mile/2.4-kilometer Gordie Howe International Bridge will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America when it opens in the fall, connecting motorists, cyclists and pedestrians with Windsor Ontario and the Trans Canada Trail.
Other top US destinations making the list include New Orleans, which will host the 11th Super Bowl in February, and Washington DC, which will be home to the LGBTQ+ International WorldPride gathering in May.
Tourists can also be inspired by the last 20 years of NYT recommendationswhich encompasses 914 destinations.