CONDÉ Nast Traveller has ranked the top 10 cities in the UK and if Reading was a city - it would definitely be on the list.

Every year, the website collaborates with its sister title in the USA to rank the best cities in the UK based on nightlife, restaurants and friendliness.

The scores were published just as Reading Borough Council is set to bid for a fourth time to become a city.

The council believes its 'unique combination of economic and cultural strength' coupled with its many historic links place it in a powerful position to be awarded city status.

And if it was a city already, we think it would appear in Condé Nast Traveller's Top 10 Best Cities in the UK list.

READ MORE: From Ricky Gervais to Reading Festival – council sets out 11 reasons why Reading should get city status

Here's why

Reading's vibrant cultural scene from its high-quality theatres, museums and arts venues and an array of talent from Jane Austen, Kate Winslet and Ricky Gervais.

Banksy also adorned the side of one of the UK's most famous landmarks, Reading Gaol, scene of Oscar Wilde's incarceration - with one of his artworks.

The town is also home to world-renowned Reading Festival as well as other ' homegrown' events such as Reading Pride and Reading Climate Festival.

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Speaking of climate, the world-famous ‘climate stripes’ infographic - now being used around the world to highlight the reality of global warming - was created at the University of Reading, which has been rated 1st in the UK and 2nd in the world for climate science.

As part of their Reader's Choice Awards, readers have been voting on their favourite airports, hotels and cities.

Reading's rich history cannot go unnoticed either. Established in the 7th century, the town’s Abbey later made Reading an internationally important destination for pilgrimage for 400 years until the dissolution.

The industrial revolution heralded the development of the three industries – ‘beer, biscuits and bulbs’ – to put Reading on the world map.

Today, Reading has re-invented itself again as a hub of the modern knowledge economy.

Reading is also a foodie haven, with independent traders pitching up stalls in Market Place every Wednesday and Friday at the Blue Collar Market to dozens of restaurants in every corner of town.

There are independent bakeries, Indian curry houses to your classic chain-burger restaurants - Reading has it all.

We won't dispute Conde Nast's list but we think Reading would top these cities by a mile!

These are the top ten cities according to Condé Nast Traveller's Reader's Choice list- The Best Cities in the UK in 2021:

London

Edinburgh

Liverpool

Glasgow

Manchester

Cardiff

Cambridge

Belfast

Bath

York

Do you think Reading should get city status? Let us know in the comments below.