Torquay has been named the third best rated destination in the UK in the Travellers’ Choice awards for Destinations, announced by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.

In a list dominated by larger cities, Torquay’s strong showing particularly stands out – placing it higher than any other seaside destination in the UK and one of only two towns to make the top ten (the other being Llandudno).

Among the list of world winners, London beat the top two destinations in 2013 - Paris and New York, which dropped to seventh and twelfth place respectively this year - but the capital was still pipped to top spot this year, as Istanbul and Rome took first and second place.

James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesperson, commented, “These awards are based on millions of reviews and ratings by those that really matter - travellers themselves. Torquay’s strong showing, the highest of any town in the UK, is testament to the unquestionable appeal of this seaside destination.”

Usual suspects make way for newcomers Perhaps surprisingly, historical favourites, Paris and New York drop down the list of the world’s best destinations to seventh and twelfth place respectively. Newcomer to the top 10, Istanbul, swoops in to the number one position, just ahead of Rome, which itself rose two places from fourth last year.

Elsewhere, Asian destinations are named among the biggest risers, with Beijing, Hanoi, and Shanghai all awarded one of the top ten places for the first time.