The Coolest Cities in the UK

25 Nov | BY Betway Insider | MIN READ TIME |

Our new research reveals the coolest UK cities, analysing factors such as number of record stores, tattoo studios and the average age of residents.

While everyone’s definition of ‘cool’ may vary, the UK is home to many cities with thriving subcultures, independent food spots, creative energy, and grassroots music scenes that gives a place its own unique vibe. But which cities in the UK are the coolest of all?

To find out, the team at Betway Casino has analysed 40 UK cities, ranking them based on key factors associated with being cool. These include the average age of residents, number of veggie, vegan and gluten-free restaurants, as well as hidden gem food and drink locations, number of record stores and upcoming music events, and the number of tattoo studios.

Where are the top 10 coolest cities in the UK?

Helping to settle the debate once and for all, read on to find out which destinations have earned their place in our ranking of the UK’s 10 coolest cities.

The top 10 coolest cities in the UK

Rank	City	Average age	No. of of veggie, vegan, gluten free restaurants	Hidden gem restaurants/cafes/bars and bakeries	Number of record stores	Upcoming music events	Number of tattoo studios
1	Brighton and Hove	43.3	401	93	20	850	33
2	Norwich	44.4	257	42	8	308	10
3	Edinburgh	39.5	922	174	19	436	33
4	Manchester	38.2	671	103	22	1675	24
5	Glasgow	38.9	772	123	21	1302	37
6	Cambridge	39.9	224	43	3	256	6
7	York	44.3	344	92	6	255	11
8	Oxford	40.3	231	44	4	206	9
9	Liverpool	39.7	548	118	20	634	25
10	Southend-on-Sea	41.4	262	38	7	98	13

*All metrics except average age have been indexed based on the number of places and events per 10,000 people. The table includes the raw number of places and events.

1. Brighton and Hove

Brighton and Hove takes the crown as the coolest city in the UK, where you’ll find bags of alternative spirit alongside wholesome seaside charm. Despite having one of the highest average resident ages in the top 10 (43.3), the city draws free-thinkers of all ages. Its vibrant tattoo scene and inclusive food culture – featuring 401 veggie, vegan, and gluten-free restaurants (14 per 10,000 residents) and 33 tattoo studios (over one per 10,000 residents, the highest concentration in the ranking) – showcase this eclectic spirit.

The seaside city also has the highest number of upcoming music events per 10,000 people (30), and the third highest number of record stores overall (20, or 1 per 10,000 residents, making it a true haven for music lovers. From vinyl hunting in The Lanes to uncovering quirky indie cafés, Brighton certainly has a lot to offer alternative locals and tourists alike.

2. Norwich

Norwich lands in second place, a city where medieval charm blends with modern indie culture. Whilst having a compact city centre, there are a whopping 257 veggie, vegan and gluten-free eateries – 18 per 10,000 – making it the best city in the ranking for having the most inclusive places to eat per resident.

Music and arts thrive here too, supported by multiple live-event spaces and a growing creative community. There are 20 upcoming music events per 10,000 people, and a decent number of record stores to browse in (eight overall). While Norwich may be small compared to other cities on the list, its personality is anything but.

3. Edinburgh

In third place is Edinburgh. Beneath its iconic skyline, dominated by the castle and historic closes, lies a vibrant cultural scene. The city boasts an impressive number of veggie, vegan and gluten-free restaurants (17 per 10,000 residents, the second highest concentration in the study), as well as plenty of hidden gem food and drink spots to explore amidst its historic streets (3 per 10,000 people).

Edinburgh’s creative identity is equally strong, with 19 record stores celebrating every genre imaginable and a thriving tattoo culture with 33 studios to choose from. Add in a steady stream of music events throughout the year (over 400 upcoming events), and you have a city where heritage and contemporary creativity intertwine seamlessly.

4. Manchester

Manchester secures fourth place overall – and takes the crown as the coolest city in the north of England. As the birthplace for legendary artists such as Oasis and The Stone Roses, its musical legacy runs deep. Today, that heritage is still thriving, with Manchester hosting the highest number of upcoming music events of any city in the study (1,675 in total, or 28 per 10,000 residents – the second-highest concentration overall).

Beyond music, Manchester’s cool factor extends to its booming inclusive foodie scene with 11 veggie, vegan and gluten-free restaurants per 10,000 people. The city also has 22 record stores to browse in, and 24 tattoo parlous, each contributing to its unmistakably creative spirit. And with an average resident age of just 38 – the second youngest in the ranking behind London (37) – Manchester buzzes with youthful energy, driving its lively arts, nightlife, and diverse food scene.

5. Glasgow

Glasgow rounds out the top five – securing a second spot for Scotland among the UK’s coolest cities. The city offers an impressive selection of veggie, vegan and gluten-free restaurants (772 in total, or 12 per 10,000 residents), making it a welcoming destination for all kinds of food lovers. And with 21 record stores and 37 tattoo studios overall, Glasgow is a hotspot for anyone drawn to alternative culture.

The city’s music scene is equally vibrant, with a whopping 1,302 upcoming events (20 per 10,000 people). And with iconic bands like Simple Minds, Franz Ferdinand and The Fratellis originating here, it’s no surprise that music is woven deeply into the city’s identity, helping it to feel unmistakingly cool.

The UK’s coolest small cities

Not all of the UK’s coolest cities are sprawling metropolises. Some of the most vibrant cultural hubs are smaller, often overlooked cities where creativity and alternative cultures thrive. From historic streets to buzzing food scenes, these smaller cities prove that coolness isn’t about size, it’s about personality.

The top 10 coolest cities in the UK with populations below 200,000

Rank	City	Average age	No. of of veggie, vegan, gluten free restaurants	Hidden gem restaurants/cafes/bars and bakeries	Number of record stores	Upcoming music events	Number of tattoo studios
1	Norwich	44.4	257	42	8	308	10
2	Cambridge	39.9	224	43	3	256	6
3	Oxford	40.3	231	44	4	206	9
4	Southend-on-Sea	41.4	262	38	7	98	13
5	Exeter	44.5	135	28	3	289	8
6	Dundee	40.2	113	19	5	95	5
7	Gloucester	42.9	100	17	2	87	9
8	Canterbury	43.3	114	25	4	156	5
9	Chelmsford	41.4	164	26	1	97	6
10	Newport	42.2	108	15	4	69	5

*All metrics except average age have been indexed based on the number of places and events per 10,000 people. The table includes the raw number of places and events.

Looking just at cities with a population of 200,000 or less, Norwich comes out top (also coming in second place overall). Academic rivals Cambridge and Oxford follow closely, each boasting strong cultural credentials: Cambridge hosts 17 music events per 10,000 people, while Oxford impresses with 14 vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free eateries per 10,000 residents.

Southend-on-Sea comes fourth with seven record shops and 13 tattoo parlours serving its smaller population. Despite having the oldest residents on average, with an average age of 45, Exeter shines with a lively scene of 21 upcoming music events per 10,000 people, proving that smaller cities can have just as much buzz as their larger counterparts.

Each city boasts its own unique mix of creativity and personality that sets it apart – and while “cool” can mean different things to different people, there’s no question that these cities offer alternative cultures that really set them apart.

Methodology and sources

To find out which are the UK’s coolest cities, we created a seedlist of the 40 most populated cities according to the ONS, then ranked them based on the following metrics: