Lichfield is not the smallest city in England by population or area, though it is frequently cited as one of the smallest. The City of London holds the title for the smallest city by area ( 1.12 1 . 1 2 square miles), and other, smaller cities like Wells and Truro often compete for the smallest by population.
With just 400 residents, Fordwich, near Canterbury, is smaller than most villages. But as Sara Thornton discovers in the latest of BBC South East's On The Map series - it's a town. It's actually Britain's smallest town, but it's history is no less rich because of that.
Located in Rome, Vatican City is 0.17 square miles in size and has a population of only 800. Though Vatican City is a largely historic walled-enclave, it only became an independent city-state in 1929.
Lichfield City: England’s Smallest City You Didn’t Know About!
What is the largest town in the UK that isn't a city?
Depending on measure, Reading is the largest town in England. It is not a city and has never been a city. Reading's borough area has a population of 173,000, making it bigger than the cities of Exeter, Lancaster and Norwich. On population, the towns of Luton and Northampton provide stiff town status competition.
The city with the lowest White British population as a percentage was Leicester (40.9%) – also the only city below 50% – while the lowest for unitary authorities was Slough (34.5%), followed by Luton (44.6%).
Monowi, Nebraska. Monowi (/ˈmɒnoʊwaɪ/, MON-oh-wye) is the least populous incorporated village in the United States by population by having a population of one.
Castle Combe is often called the prettiest village in England and one of the most beautiful towns in the Cotswolds. Walking through this village truly feels like stepping back in time; no new houses have been built here for over 400 years, so it has kept its authentic, old-world charm.
Lichfield, England, is famous for its unique three-spired medieval cathedral, its rich literary history as the birthplace of lexicographer Samuel Johnson and home to polymath Erasmus Darwin, and its charming Georgian architecture, earning it the nickname "City of Philosophers" in the 18th century; it's also noted for the nearby Staffordshire Hoard discovery and its role as an ancient ecclesiastical center.
There isn't one single "most run-down" town, as it depends on the metric, but recent reports frequently cite Walsall (West Midlands) as Britain's most deprived for overall quality of life (Good Growth for Cities Index 2025), while Jaywick (Essex) is repeatedly named England's most deprived neighbourhood by government data. Other towns often mentioned for significant decline due to economic hardship, unemployment, and urban decay include areas in Blackpool, Hastings, and Middlesbrough, alongside places like Portsmouth and Aldershot facing specific challenges.
The Mayor Who Runs a Town of One Monowi, Nebraska, is the smallest incorporated town in the United States — population: 1. Its lone resident, 89-year-old Elsie Eiler, is the mayor, clerk, treasurer, bartender, and librarian.
Although the nomenclature is uncertain, what we do know is that Parliament Street dates from the 14th century and is the undisputed narrowest street in Britain. It measures just 25 inches at its narrowest point and 45 inches at its widest, and has a length of about 50 metres.
The Bradford District is the fifth biggest Metropolitan District in the country and the UK's youngest city, with more than 140,000 children aged under 18. Our district is alive with energy, enterprise and potential and is home to some of the finest cultural assets and landscapes in the country.
The UK's smallest cities by population consistently feature St Davids (Wales) as the absolute smallest, followed by Welsh city St Asaph, then Wells (England), Ripon (England), and Truro (England), with other contenders including Lichfield, Brechin, Salisbury, and Chichester, though exact rankings shift slightly with new data, but St Davids remains the definitive smallest city in Britain by population.
Oregon's smallest incorporated city, Greenhorn was home to just three people in the 2020 census but currently has a year-round population of zero. The city's water system serves about 15 cabins, most occupied only in the summer.
The most deprived neighbourhood in England according to the IMD25 is to the east of the Jaywick & St Osyth area of Clacton-on-Sea in Tendring (Tendring 018a).
Demography. Easington is notable for being the town with the highest percentage of white residents in England (99.2% white in 2001). According to the results of the 2001 census, it also has the UK's lowest population of Jedi knights.
While "underrated" is subjective, recent studies and travel discussions frequently highlight Hastings, Royal Leamington Spa, and Shrewsbury as top contenders, praised for their culture, independent shops, events, and history, often overshadowed by bigger names like Brighton or Birmingham. Other strong contenders include historic Chester, revitalized Swansea, and the charming, remote Scottish village of Inverie, depending on whether you prefer history, coastal vibes, or seclusion.
The oldest city in the UK is widely considered to be Colchester, in Essex, recognized as Britain's oldest recorded town and former Roman capital, officially gaining city status in 2022, though with continuous occupation and Roman origins dating back centuries before that. Its claim stems from being the first Roman colony, Camulodunum, mentioned in ancient texts (around 43 AD) and as a significant Iron Age center.
