Although the UK might not be known for its outstanding weather, the friendliness of some British cities can certainly make up for the lack of sunshine. Friendly cities have a welcoming atmosphere and people who live and work in them generally enjoy a better quality of life. In this article, we take a look at the top 10 friendliest cities in the UK, explaining why these locations could be ideal for your next office space. 

The UK’s top 10 friendliest cities

1. Blackpool

According to a survey by London North Eastern Railway, Blackpool tops the 2024 list to come out as the UK’s friendliest city with a score of nearly 80 over 100.

This Lancashire city is a renowned tourist destination, so local businesses have a long tradition of offering hospitality to visitors and newcomers. When discussing other things that make it a friendly city, residents report high levels of happiness and life satisfaction.

Blackpool’s friendly spirit extends to the city’s business scene, which offers support for those with a business idea to make it work.

2. York

Beyond its historical charm, York is known for its exceptionally friendly residents. A 2023 survey among travellers got the city ranking first in addition to being among the top 10 most welcoming cities in the world, and the second safest city in the UK – definitely enough reasons to consider visiting or even relocating to York.

The city’s supportive atmosphere can enhance team morale and foster strong working relationships. This welcoming vibe is definitely good for business, as it can potentially lead to higher employee retention and satisfaction.

3. Newcastle

The famously friendly Geordie hospitality boosts Newcastle high up in the rankings as one of the most welcoming cities not just in the north but in the entire UK. There are many good reasons to visit The Toon, as locals refer to it, ranging from a vibrant nightlife to affordability and cultural heritage. Newcastle also gets good ratings as one of the best UK cities to move for singles, as it’s easy to get along with the lively locals and make new connections. 

4. Bristol

Bristol is often listed as one of the top UK cities for quality of life. There’s a large number of people who move to Bristol from London, possibly looking for a more relaxed pace that leaves time for making new friends and socialising. 

The city has a sizeable multicultural population, which makes it easier to get to know people from different parts of the world. In addition, Bristol’s reputation for its innovative spirit and vibrant arts scene attracts students and young professionals, as well as entrepreneurs who contribute to the city’s numerous community events. 

5. Liverpool

The surveys don’t lie: Liverpool is a winner when it comes to the open and friendly attitude of its residents. A survey listed this Merseyside city as the kindest in the UK, as 48% of locals love offering kind gestures to strangers and out-of-towners. 

In other rankings, this major port city is among the top 3 friendliest cities in and out of the workplace and gets a friendliness score of 94 over 100.

6. Exeter

A travel company scored major UK cities in terms of happiness, safety, community activities, and business scene, rating Exeter as the country’s second friendliest city. The study also noted a large number of Facebook groups and pages with a local focus in Exeter, which makes it easy to connect with locals with similar interests. 

Another city in this list with a rich history, pre-dating even the arrival of the Romans, it’s also worth noting that Exeter holds the title of UK’s greenest city in 2022, which means there are plenty of parks, squares, and natural landmarks nearby that invite socialising outdoors. 

7. St Albans

As far as small cities are involved, St Albans tops the list in terms of friendliness – and not only that. The Hertfordshire town also ranks high in quality of life, being the second best city to live in England. Maybe its small size contributes to St Albans’ close-knit community spirit, which means newcomers won’t take long to feel welcomed and at home. 

If you’re moving here for work, you’ll find a great range of business support services and good opportunities to socialise outside of the office in various networking events. 

8. Edinburgh

With a score of nearly 70 out of 100, the historic city of Edinburgh makes it to the list of friendliest cities in the UK. The Scottish capital is a university city and one of the most visited destinations in the UK, which means that locals are used to welcoming visitors and new residents.

In other surveys, 70% of local residents say they are friends with their neighbours, and many highlight the importance of community and belonging. Not only that, but Edinburgh is among the world’s most liveable cities and is also listed as the happiest place to work in the UK.

9. Bath

With a happiness score of 72, Bath is also part of this list. This is not the first time the city has made headlines due to its welcoming environment since it was listed as the friendliest city in the UK and Ireland back in 2017, according to the warm welcome people who had visited reported.

Having a small and friendly community and a gorgeous surrounding countryside means that Bath is an attractive location for business owners and employees seeking a high quality of life in general, as well as a collaborative and positive work atmosphere in the office. 

10. Cardiff

A poll done by a travel magazine revealed Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, as one of the most loved UK cities, as well as ranking first as the friendliest city in the UK with an impressive score of nearly 98 over 100. This is not just a recent thing, because back in 2011 Cardiff already received the title of most sociable city in the UK.

Another major port city in this list of the friendliest cities in the UK, the Welsh capital also offers easy access to plenty of historical and natural landmarks, most notably the medieval Cardiff Castle, which acts as a focal point in the city centre and is definitely worth exploring with new local friends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the friendliness of a city is a crucial factor in creating a positive environment at work and outside of it. The cities highlighted in this article offer a combination of welcoming communities, cultural attractions, and quality of life that make them ideal locations to live and work. 

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