Daily Telegraph article (UK national newspaper)

The Bard’s birthplace beat the spectacular towns of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile and Nelson in New Zealand, and was the only town in Britain to reach the top ten.

It came top of a poll on tourist website Tripadvisor, which asked millions of people to name their favourite destination.

The survey took into account the quality of the hotels and accommodation, local food and ease of parking.

Phil Hackett, chief executive of Shakespeare Country tourism, said: “This is a great accolade for Stratford-upon-Avon to be voted the most charming town in the world.

“As the reviews are written by real travellers, the accolade is completely impartial and one that I feel is very much deserved for the town.”

The accolade comes after it was revealed that a TV advert for the town was actually filmed 60 miles away at Stokesay Castle near Ludlow, Shropshire.

And last week, a storm erupted when plans for a new sex shop got the green light to open just yards from Shakespeare’s birthplace.

The Top Ten of the world’s most charming towns are:

1. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warkwickshire, UK.

2. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

3. Nelson, New Zealand.

4. Honfleur, France.

5. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

6. Donegal, Ireland.

7. Avila, Spain.

8. St Wolfgang, Austria.

9. Chania, Greece.

10. Todo Santos, Mexico.