Recording 40.8 million international visits in 2019*, the UK is one of the most visited countries in the world. From its art collections to world-renowned restaurants, it’s no wonder visitors across the globe visit the UK.
HeatingForce.co.uk recently revealed that Norwich, Cambridge and Oxford were the top three destinations for a UK stay. But with all three displaying high population densities, which areas in the UK provide an escape from the crowds for a cultured getaway?
Interested in arts, food and culture, DIYS.com sought to discover the UK’s cities and towns for a cultural holiday. The cultural factors include the number of art museums, art galleries, independent cinemas, theatres, libraries and Michelin star restaurants. Results for the 500 towns and cities were controlled for population differences to deduce the best places with fewer crowds.
The Top Ten UK Most Cultural Cities
DIYS.com can reveal that, with a score of 566 out of 600, Farnham in Surrey is rated as the most cultured settlement in the UK per capita. With a population of 27,056, Farnham is an ideal town to visit if you’re looking for joy from the performing arts (they scored 97.5 out of 100 for theatres) and some good food in the Surrey area, without the hustle of busy crowds (97.5 out of 100 for Michelin star restaurants).
In second place, Chichester (West Sussex) scored 553 out of a total 600. They scored highest on art galleries (98.9) and art museums (95.3).
Ranking in third, as the most cultural UK spot per capita, is Winchester in Hampshire – 519.8. Again, with more favourable scores for art, Winchester received 99.5 points out of 100 for art museums and 97.5 for art galleries.
In fourth and fifth place are South East’s Herne Bay (Kent) and North West’s Carlisle (Cumbria) with a total score of 519.6 and 505.8, respectively. Both scored highest on art museums (93.3 and 93.9).
Cambridge in Cambridgeshire ranks as the sixth most cultural location per population size in the UK – 486.7 points of 600. Performing well in art galleries (92.7 of 100), theatres (91.5), and boasting five independent cinemas (90.9), it’s no wonder this university hub is so popular with citizens from all around the world.
Ashford (Surrey) and Oxford (Oxfordshire) take the seventh and eighth spot with 481.9 and 481.2 out of 566 respectively.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, placed in the ninth position as the city scored 466.6 out of a possible 600. This was down to their art galleries (99.1 of 100) and theatres (98.7).
Lastly, taking the crown for the tenth most cultural spot per capita in the UK, Manchester (Greater Manchester) scored 465.5. The city’s libraries (97.5 of 100) and theatres (90.7) pushed its rankings higher due to being let down by their Michelin star restaurants score (46.2).
Please see the blog for more information on the most cultural UK cities and towns per capita: https://www.diys.com/most-cultured-uk-cities-map/
Please see the Dropbox link for data of all 500 towns and cities and graphic: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ec47agdwqslpxl7/AABcD8kEUTHzj9JQaNKy3d-Oa?dl=0
