Each year more families in the UK are choosing staycations rather than vacations. Not only are these more eco-friendly (especially when you travel by train!) but they are more budget-friendly. A recent study predicted that 28% of families plan to organise a city break in the UK this year.
Every city boasts its own unique attractions, but seeking out a welcoming and friendly place is a top priority for many travellers. Recognising this, we conducted a study to determine the UK’s friendliest destinations for 2024.
We began by analysing data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) on the personal well-being of residents in major towns and cities. Then information from a leading travel platform helped determine a destination’s general level of hospitality. After gathering all of the data, population size was taken into consideration, leaving each destination with a score out of 100 in the final rankings.
UK’s Top 10 Friendliest Destinations
We looked at the UK's largest cities to see which ones were the friendliest on the basis of life satisfaction, hospitality via five-star restaurants in the area and personal life satisfaction of residents, and here's how they rank:
|
Ranking |
City |
Score out of 100 |
|
1 |
Blackpool |
79.9 |
|
2 |
Brighton |
75.0 |
|
3 |
York* |
71.4 |
|
4 |
Newcastle upon Tyne* |
70.4 |
|
5 |
Edinburgh* |
69.5 |
|
6 |
Bath |
68.8 |
|
7 |
Chester |
68.6 |
|
8 |
St Albans |
68.2 |
|
9 |
Colchester |
68.1 |
|
10 |
Chelmsford |
67.7 |
* cities with stations on the LNER route
1. Blackpool
Renowned for its iconic Pleasure Beach, Illuminations (the same one your mum always talks about!) and Tower, Blackpool is a truly endearing place. Now, it has been crowned the friendliest destination in the UK for 2024.
According to the latest ONS data, Blackpool residents report high levels of life satisfaction, happiness and a sense of purpose in life. It could be said that this accounts for the city's exceptional hospitality. Our in-depth research reveals that Blackpool boasts the highest number of five-star rated restaurants and hotels, with 143.3 per 100,000 people.
Travelling to Blackpool can be a breeze, especially when you book through LNER with no booking fees. Use our Journey Planner to book your train tickets to Blackpool now!
Find trains to Blackpool from the most popular UK destinations:
2. Brighton
Taking our second spot as the UK’s friendliest destination is the vibrant seaside resort of Brighton. Following closely behind Blackpool, Brighton also stands out thanks to its considerable number of five-star rated restaurants and hotels, equating to 115.1 per 100,000 people, so there's plenty to choose from during your stay.
While Brighton ranks high for life satisfaction and the feeling that life is worthwhile, it interestingly sits fourth from the bottom in happiness score among the 50 destinations analysed. However, this doesn't stop it from shining at the top of our rankings.
Keen to escape to Brighton after its second place ranking? Get the best fares without booking fees using the LNER Journey Planner now.
With LNER you can travel to Brighton from the below destinations with only one change, result!
Find trains to Brighton from the most popular UK destinations:
3. York
Claiming third place is the historic city of York in friendly North Yorkshire. Roman settlements and Viking invasions have enriched the place with a complex – but more importantly unique – history, yet it still showcases a welcoming atmosphere within its ancient walls. Ranking sixth for life satisfaction and third for the number of five-star rated establishments per capita, this delighfully traditional and friendly destination is truly worth a visit.
Located between London and Edinburgh, York is an ideal destination for a UK city break, with LNERs direct trains connecting the Scottish and English capitals in less than a few hours. We have also collated a list of things to do in York, which include stargazing at York Observatory, getting on board at the National Train Museum and to finish things off, a guided chocolate tour – delicious!
Plan your trip to York now from our most popular destinations:
Days out in York
Encounter rampaging Vikings, explore grand steam trains and step back in time with afternoon tea with our step-by-step guide to a family day out in York.
Things to do in York
York is a true melting pot - where Viking and Roman history collide with bohemian cafes, and a Gothic Minster sits alongside charming independent shops.
Near York station
If you need a quick coffee, a bite to eat or even a last minute birthday card, you’ll find everything you need within five minutes of York Station.
4. Newcastle-upon-Tyne
In fourth place stands Newcastle. The people of Newcastle are known for being happy, warm and welcoming - nothing beats the friendliness of northerners. This is underlined by the fact that the local community sits in 9th place for life satisfaction.
Furthermore, Historic UK described Newcastle as one of the most iconic cities in Britain, thanks to it's industrial heritage, self titled Newcastle Brown Ale and popular nightlife - Newcastle is one of the only places in the UK that has a license to serve triple measures of alcohol, wild night outs! Newcastle is also accessible from many major cities by train, with trains from Edinburgh to Newcastle taking less than 90 minutes on average.
LNERs convienient direct services can also get you to Newcastle from some of the UK's most popular destinations:
Days out in Newcastle
Family day out in Newcastle? We’ve hunted high and low for the best things to do.
Things to do in Newcastle
Be it a day trip or a long weekend, we've picked out some of our favourite things to do to keep you entertained in Newcastle.
Near Newcastle station
Our guide to the best coffee shops, pubs, restaurants and activities within five minutes’ walk of Newcastle Station.
5. Edinburgh
Edinburgh secures the fifth spot as the friendliest destination in the UK and the most friendly destination in Scotland. Edinburgh ranked fourth in life satisfaction and sixth for people feeling that things done in life are worthwhile.
Edinburgh has so much to offer, from historic sites, to amazing walks and modern restaurants and bars, theres something for everyone in this friendly coastal capital.
The Scottish capital also ranked eighth for the number of five-star restaurants and hotels per 100,000 people. If happy locals and friendly hospitality are what you’re looking for, you may want to consider a trip to Edinburgh.
Plus with access to Edinburgh from the most popular places in the UK with LNER, you can't go wrong with a wee trip up to Scotland no matter where you are.
Find trains to Edinburgh from the most popular UK destinations:
Days out in Edinburgh
A city immersed in history, Edinburgh makes for a great family day out. Here are our top picks for a day in the city.
Trains to St James Quarter
Welcome to St James Quarter – where shopping, dining, and unforgettable experiences come together in style.