Top UK Cities | ExpatWoman.com
 

Top UK Cities

Whether you’re already an expatriate in the UK and looking to move, or you’re considering making the leap to the place… We’ve got a roundup of the best cities to live in in the United Kingdom for you!

Posted on

20 October 2014

Last updated on 31 December 2017
Top UK Cities

London

Where: South East England
Population: cc. 7.5 million
Fun Fact: London’s iconic tower named ‘Big Ben’ doesn’t actually refer to the building. Big Ben is the bell, not the clock tower. And it’s chime is in the key of E.

London, United Kingdom

Home of the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The British Museum and Trafalgar Square, England’s Capital is a world centre of art, music, theatre, culture, music and rich history. London is home to approximately 7.5 million people – which makes 12.5 per cent of the entire United Kingdom’s population. More than 1.5 million Londoners come from abroad as expatriates or migrant workers. As a result… There are more than 300 languages spoken in London, more than in any other city in the world.
 

Edinburgh

Where: East coast of Southern Scotland
Population: cc. 495,000
Fun Fact: Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

As Scotland’s capital since the 15th century, Edinburgh is rich in associates with the past and has many historic buildings, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the churches of St. Giles, Greyfrairs and the Canongate. The city has long been known abroad as a centre of education, especially in the fields of medicine, Scots law, the sciences and engineering. Edinburgh has the strongest economy of any city in the United Kingdom outside of London, and the highest percentage of professionals in the UK. Known primarily for brewing and distilling, banking and insurance and printing and publishing in the 19th century, Edinburgh’s economy is now based mainly on financial services, higher education, scientific research, and of course – tourism! 
 

Manchester

Where: North West England
Population: 500,000+
Fun Fact: The world’s first stored-program computer was built at the University of Manchester, and ran its first program on 21st June 1948.

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

As one of the most popular cities in Manchester, the city was one of the world’s first industrialised city and its roots are firmly fixed in innovation and business. The place is a city with a confident voice, a lustrous city scape with a strong, unique identity. Manchester is recognised as the second largest legal hub in the UK, and is a thrusting, bustling, multi-cultural metropolis that offers endless amounts of musical, cultural, historical and sporting attractions. It is no surprise then, that the city has created a history of firsts; the world’s first industrial city, the world’s first commercial canal, the world’s first computer and the world’s first free public library. Plus, as Noel Gallagher from Manchester-born band Oasis once said, ‘the thing about Manchester is… it all comes from the heart.’


SEE ALSO: Your expatriate guide to living in the United Kingdom

Birmingham

Where: West Midlands of England
Population: 1.074 million
Fun Fact: In 1980, the hottest curry in the world was served for the first time in Hay Mills, Birmingham. It was made from the fiery naga chillies cultivated in Nagaland, at the foot of the Himalayas.

Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Known in the Victorian era as the ‘City of a 1000 Trades’, Birmingham is Britain’s second largest city. Also known a Brum, as the locals call it, the city is enjoying a 21st century resurgence as a great shopping and cultural destination. The city was at the heart of the UK’s industrial revolution, and its wealth was built upon the multitude of trades that arrived. This led to a major canal network, with miles of canal than Venice or Amsterdam.

While most of the city centre was destroyed during the Second World War, Birmingham has been undergoing radical changes and many of the post-war buildings have been replaced. Nowadays, the city’s recognisable associations are as diverse as everyone’s favourite HP Sauce, Cadbury’s Chocolate, Black Sabbath, UB40 and the Mini. Literary figures JRR Tolkein, Washington Irving and Conan Doyle also have associations with the city. Additionally, Birmingham doesn’t have a reputation for being especially picturesque, but there is a lot of interesting architecture in the city centre.
 

Glasgow

Where: West Central Scotland
Population: 596,000+
Fun Fact: The phrase ‘Glasgow kiss’ is given in the Oxford Dictionary to mean a head-butt, first seen in 1982.

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Glasgow is one of Europe’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, and the largest in Scotland. It’s home to world famous art collections, the best shopping in the UK outside of London, a vast array of restaurants and bars, sports and leisure facilities, and the most vibrant nightlife in Scotland. The city is even home to Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Opera.
 

Liverpool

Where: Merseyside
Population: 465,000+
Fun Fact: The nickname for Liverpudlians, ‘scousers’ derives from scouse, a type of stew. It was eaten by Liverpudlians living in poverty before the 1900s. Ingredients include lamb or beef, cabbage, carrot, potatoes and onion.

Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

Liverpool is a city of culture, heritage and people… With its unique attractions, events, world class sport offerings, unrivalled musical heritage and recognisably warm welcomes, Liverpool is an ideal destination for any expatriate moving to the UK. The city has the largest collection of museums and galleries anywhere outside of London, as Liverpool’s culture and heritage are at the very heart of the city. Consequently, the city is very much a place that combines in harmony a rich, deeply-rooted past with a bright future.

It’s no secret that the city is home to a number of recognisable individuals; including the world renowned The Beatles, actress Kim Cattrall and comedian John Bishop. The Waterfront Region, close to the Albert Dock, was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO – and is most definitely worth a visit. For any expatriate in this city, you’ll have the chance to take advantage of what the city has to offers; plenty of ‘scran’ and ‘boss’ days out!
 

Bristol

Where: South West England
Population: 428,000+
Fun Fact: Even if you haven’t visited, it’s likely you’ve seen Bristol as the backdrop to one of many well-known UK TV shows; Skins, Casualty, Deal or No Deal, Doctor Who, Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run were all filmed here.

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

As the largest city in South West England, it comes as no surprise that Bristol was named the best city in the UK in March 2014. From bars on boats, to art galleries, to festivals, there is a thriving independent spirit in the city of Bristol that gave the world both Banksy, Wallace and Gromit and even invented Ribena.

The city has been an important port and trading centre for 900 years, which has helped to build Bristol to become the cultural and business hub of the West of England that it is today. The city holds strengths in advanced manufacturing, high-tech/microelectronics, creative digital industries, media, green technologies and two high performing Universities.
 

Oxford

Where: South East England
Population: 150,000+
Fun Fact: As you walk around Oxford, you may get the peculiar feeling that you’re being watched… If you look up, you’ll find Oxford’s buildings are covered in gargoyles in the shape of faces, animals and sometimes entire people.

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Without Oxford, there would be no Lord of the Rings, we’d never have discovered Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and we’d be without one of the UK’s most beautiful cities. This academic city is home to over 800 years of history, and an alluring, cosmopolitan buzz.

There is plenty to do here; wander across Oxford’s top attractions, such as the oldest university in the English-speaking world or stand in awe at some of Oxford’s university buildings that boast some of Britain’s most impressive architecture. This splendid architecture that can be found across the city also helped inspire scenes and designs for a little-known literary series named after a wizard called Harry Potter. As well as its heritage, there’s a bundle of vibrant music venues, nightlife, restaurants and shopping opportunities to experience.
 

Cambridge

Where: East Anglia
Population: 123,000+
Fun Fact: Cambridge University was actually founded by scholars who fled persecution in Oxford, during a period of conflict between church and state in 1209.

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

The city of Cambridge is most widely known as the home of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209 and consistently ranked one of the top five universities in the world. The city is also the heart of high-technology and its economic strengths lie in industries such as software and bioscience. Nonetheless, Cambridge is a city of crocuses and daffodils on the backs of green open spaces, and expatriates here can find cattle grazing only 500 yards from the market square. As a result the city brings many treats for the eyes to see with its breath-taking views.
 

Cardiff

Where: South Wales
Population: 324,000+
Fun Fact: Wales is the only part of the United Kingdom not to be represented on the Union Flag.

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

As the capital of Wales and Europe’s youngest capital, Cardiff is a city proud of its culture, language and history which has undergone a fascinating journey over the last two millennia. It has a distinctive character with an excellent quality of life and an international reputation, as this Roman-founded settlement is now one of Britain’s liveliest cities – and the best bit? It’s home to everyone’s favourite time-travelling Doctor.

Many national cultural and sporting institutions are based in Cardiff, including the National Museum of Wales and the Millennium Stadium. Cardiff Castle sits in the centre of the city, bordered on one side by beautiful parkland, and on the other by excellent shops, restaurants and nightlife.

 
Newcastle

Where: North East England
Population: 250,000+
Fun Fact: Newcastle has been leading the world in getting people from one side of a river to the other since 1848, with no less than seven bridges straddling the Tyne.

Newcastle, England, United Kingdom

Newcastle is one of the largest cities in England, located in Tyne and Wear. There are many sites in the city to see, such as the Tyne Bridge, the Discovery Museum and St James Park, the famous football ground.

With popular TV shows such as Geordie Shore, the Newcastle accent, vibrant nightlife and entertainment are indeed recognisable. The city is in the top ten of the country’s top night spots, as there are concentrations of pubs, bars and nightclubs around the city. Especially around the Bigg Market  and the Quayside area of the city centre. But while it may be very popular for stag and hen parties, expatriates shouldn’t forget that the city has so much more to offer in the form of theatre, literature, festivals, fairs, music, cinema and concert venues.

Let’s not forget that Newcastle brought us the legendary Mr. Bean, too.
 

Leeds

Where: West Yorkshire
Population: 751,000+
Fun Fact: Leeds’ motto of ‘Pro rege et lege’ is latin, and means ‘for king and the law’.

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

Leeds is the third largest and one of the fastest growing and greenest cities in the United Kingdom. The city has a thriving economy that boasts strengths in financial services, legal, manufacturing, health and retail and the city has excellent road, rail and air links providing a gateway for tourists, business visitors and expatriates to the region. Plus – the city is home to Trinity Leeds, a £350 million retail development that reinforces Leeds as one of the finest shopping destinations in the UK.

Children and young people leave school with qualifications above the national average across Leeds, and two of the UK’s leading universities, the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University have world-class research facilities, as well as Leeds Trinity College. The city is also home to one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, as Leeds Teaching Hospitals care for more patients than anywhere else in the north of England. Not forgetting its cultural stance; Leeds is home to Opera North, Northern Ballet, Phoenix Dance Theatre and the First Direct Arena as well as Yorkshire Cricket, Leeds Rhinos and the John Charles Centre for Sport.
 

York

Where: North Yorkshire
Population: 200,000+
Fun Fact: York is home to a narrow medieval street, named The Shambles. The name derives from the Saxon word ‘Fleshammels’, which means street of the butcher. Plus, The Shambles is also mentioned in the Domesday book.

York, England, United Kingdom

Often referred to as the capital of the north, York is Britain’s best preserved medieval city and is one of the most impressive towns. It is home to over 2000 years of colourful history, a vibrant arts scene and a pub for every night of the year. From York Minster, JORVIK Viking Centre and the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms mixed with the prettiest shopping streets in Britain, a vibrant music scene and nightlife – York is a lovely mix of past and present. The Romans, Vikings, Saxons, Georgians and Edwardians have all left their distinctive mark on the city. No surprise then that York earned the title of British Heritage City.
 

Belfast

Where: Northern Ireland
Population: 280,900+
Fun Fact: The RMS Titanic, a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15th, 1912 was built in Belfast by shipbuilders Harland and Wolff.

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Belfast, which means ‘mouth of the sandbanks’, is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. It is the 17th largest city in the United Kingdom and the second largest on the island of Ireland. Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding and the city played a key role in the Industrial Revolution. Today, Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education, business and law, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland.