What is the largest metro area in the UK?

The largest metropolitan area in the UK is London, with a population exceeding 14 to 15 million in its wider metropolitan area as of 2025. As a vast, sprawling conurbation, it far exceeds other UK cities in population and density, acting as the nation's primary economic and population center.

What are the largest metropolitan areas in the UK?

London and Birmingham are the largest cities in the UK, with the biggest populations.

What are the top 10 biggest cities in the UK by area?

The top 10 British biggest cities include cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Bristol and Leicester. You may notice that other cities like Cardiff and Belfast weren't on the list due to their small size, but that didn't deny their regional influences.

Is Birmingham still the 2nd largest city in the UK?

Yes, Birmingham remains the UK's second-largest city by population within its city limits, often called the "Second City," although Greater Manchester's wider urban area has a larger population, leading to some confusion depending on the definition used, but Birmingham consistently ranks second after London for city proper population.

What is the UK's oldest city?

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.
 

TOP 10 LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREAS IN UK (READ DESCRIPTION)

Which UK city has the best quality of life?

According to our survey, these are the cities that ranked highest when it came to the overall happiness of their residents.

• Cardiff.
• Plymouth.
• Norwich.
• London.
• Liverpool.
• Birmingham.
• Bristol.
• Southampton.

Is Manchester richer than Birmingham?

Once well ahead, the West Midlands' economy is now last place behind Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire (Leeds), and South Western Scotland (Glasgow). Extremely unusually, instead of being a wealth-generating hub, the central city of Birmingham has a weaker economy than its surroundings.

What is the largest village in England?

Cranleigh Village One-Place Study. Cranleigh (or Cranley as it was known until the mid 19th Century) is now said to be the largest village in England.

Which UK city is the most affordable?

The most affordable places to live in the UK for U.S. expats include Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Belfast, Leicester, and Plymouth. These cities offer lower housing costs, reasonable utilities, and vibrant communities.

Which city has the fastest growing population?

Topping the list of fastest-growing cities was Princeton, Texas with a remarkable 30.6% growth rate, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2024 estimates released today.

What is the most densely populated city in England?

Overall, London has a population density that is 15 times greater than districts across the rest of England. Moreover, central London, which covers seven primary boroughs, is nearly 30 times as densely populated, at 11,144 people per km².

What is the most run down town in the UK?

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.
 

What is the least white city in the UK?

The city with the lowest percentage of white residents in the UK is Leicester, where white people are no longer the majority, with about 41% identifying as white according to 2021 census data, making it one of the most ethnically diverse cities alongside places like Birmingham, Luton, and London boroughs such as Newham and Brent. 

What is Britain's youngest city?

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.

What is the safest town in the UK?

Key Takeaways. Safest overall: Based on a 2024 crime-index study of 105 UK towns and cities, Harrogate, Wokingham, Chester, Sevenoaks and Horsham occupy the top five spots, with crime index scores between roughly 17 and 23 (lower scores indicate safer areas).

What's the prettiest city in the UK?

There's no single "most beautiful" city, but Bath, Edinburgh, York, and Chester consistently rank high, known for Georgian architecture, historic charm, Roman ruins, medieval walls, and stunning natural settings, respectively. Other contenders include Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham, praised for their universities, canals, and grand cathedrals.
 

What is the friendliest city in the UK?

Glasgow. Consistently voted one of the friendliest cities in the world, Glasgow makes Scotland proud with its attitude towards strangers and tourists. Its warm and welcoming community add a real buzz to the city, making it a popular city break destination.

What is the most beautiful old town in England?

Bibury, Cotswolds

Bibury is often described as “the most beautiful village in England,” a title given by William Morris, and it's easy to see why. Located in the Cotswolds, Bibury is famous for its honey-coloured stone cottages, especially along Arlington Row, which is one of the most photographed spots in the country.

What is Britain's first town?

Colchester is Britain's first Roman city, with a 2000 year heritage. Pliny the Elder immortalised Camulodunum, Roman Colchester, as Britain's first recorded settlement and later Britain's first city and capital.

What is the most active city in the UK?

Results: Leeds is the most active city in the UK

Leeds is officially the most active city in the country! Our data analysts concluded this by weighting out the metrics involving searches by the population for each city. And the weighted results were then averaged out to create a final ranking.