Outdoor Culture Capitals of the UK

As the sunnier months roll in, it’s time to start thinking about your staycation travel plans, whether it’s a long weekend away to see a show, or visiting friends to let your hair down at the local beer garden.

To help you discover the right place for your next adventure this summer, we’ve crunched the numbers to reveal the outdoor culture capitals of the UK for 2023! 

Considering five core data factors including which places have the highest number of Google searches for outdoor events, the number of restaurants and pubs with outdoor seating, and number of blue cultural heritage plaques in each area. Plus we’ve included average rainfall, sunshine hours, average temperatures (vital to us Brits) which has all been condensed into a nifty index system ranking each destination to see where is best if you want to enjoy the great outdoors and some culture around the UK. 

If you fancy feeling inspired by the best places to spend time in the great outdoors and get a fill on your favourite activities, we’ve got you covered. 

Top 15 Outdoor Culture Capitals 

If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure in the UK, it’s no surprise that the capital London came out on top. This topped the list mainly for its huge variety of restaurants, bars and cafes with outdoor seating, and with more historical and cultural places of significance compared to anywhere else in the UK with an incredible 3,621 historical blue plaques! 

But London isn’t the only top destination in the UK. If you’re a beach lover, you won’t want to miss out on the picturesque coastal town of Brighton and Hove which not only marks the best city for sunshine, but also comes in second in our overall ranking.

In third and fourth place are Bristol and Portsmouth. With favourable weather, lower than average rainfall and an abundance of outdoor bars and restaurants and large demand for outdoor events – they’re perfect destinations for a summer trip.

Coming in fifth, Norwich is a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be explored. This charming city is packed with outdoor culture and history, from the stunning Norwich Cathedral to the beautiful parks and gardens. 

Alternatively if you are craving a weekend of cocktails,, there’s nowhere quite like Newcastle. Coming in 9th place for outdoor culture capitals with over 123 outdoor bars and restaurants (a high number in relation to the population), the city also offers lots of outdoor events across the summer so you can soak up the most Northern city in our top rankings.

Best places for outdoor dining & drinks 

Dining al fresco and rooftop bars have become increasingly popular in the last two decades, with people looking to enjoy a tipple as the sun goes down. There are many cities across the UK that are renowned for their outdoor hospitality, but refreshingly an eclectic mix of locations have risen to the height of rankings.

One that tops the list is Manchester with 361 spots, well-known for its bustling outdoor dining scene and lively outdoor bars. With a diverse range of restaurants and bars that offer outdoor seating, Manchester has something to offer for every taste and budget. From rooftop bars with stunning city views such as famous  20 Stories, to cosy cafes, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a drink or meal whilst feasting on the sights. 

Next up is Oldham, which has become a hotspot for outdoor dining in recent years and follows closely behind with 346. With an ever growing number of cafes, bars, and restaurants offering outdoor seating, Oldham is a town that sits in Greater Manchester and is the perfect place to enjoy a drink or meal while soaking up the sun. The town’s charming outdoor dining spots such as the Italian Sullago offer a unique atmosphere that will have you thinking you’re at a local in Italy! 

Leeds is another popular destination for outdoor dining and outdoor bars, with 325 choices. From traditional pubs with outdoor beer gardens, places like Headrow House are always a crowd pleaser. Or you could hit up some modern and luxury rooftop bars with stunning city views like at Issho, and enjoy the sunsetting as you sip on a Japanese inspired cocktail. With nearly 10,000 searches annually for outdoor events in Leeds, this is expected to increase even more with Leeds celebrating its ‘unofficial’ year of culture for 2023.

Best places for outdoor events

If it’s events outdoors you’re looking to be inspired by, it might be time to head to the coastline as many seaside towns have made it to the top of the rankings across the UK...

Coming in at second and third are two fantastic seaside towns, Brighton and Bournemouth, known for their lively outdoor events. This year, Brighton will be hosting its famous Brighton Fringe Festival in May, which will feature a variety of performances, including comedy, music, and theatre. 

In Bournemouth, the Arts by the Sea Festival will be taking place in September, showcasing a range of cultural events and installations across the town. Visitors to Bournemouth can also enjoy the Bournemouth Air Festival in August, which is the UK’s largest free airshow and features incredible displays from military and civilian aircraft. 

If you’re looking for a city fix, look no further than Bath. A city steeped in culture, this year there are several exciting outdoor events taking place. In May, the Bath Festival will celebrate music and literature with performances from renowned artists. Additionally, the Bath Boules tournament will take place in June, adding a touch of French flair to the city.

Best places for historical trails

If soaking up history is your favourite way to spend time in the great outdoors, then it’s worth considering where to go to see spots of cultural significance and keep you entertained all day long. We’ve looked at which places have the most historical blue plaques around the UK.

Whilst London takes top spot again, Edinburgh is home to many historical blue plaques, 415 to be exact. One of the most famous blue plaques in Edinburgh is located at 39 Forrest Road, the former residence of Sir Walter Scott, a prominent Scottish novelist and poet. Other notable plaques include those dedicated to philosopher David Hume, physicist James Clerk Maxwell, and medical pioneer James Young Simpson. 

Following closely behind are cities of Birmingham and Liverpool. The Birmingham Civic Society has been placing blue plaques on buildings since 1953, with over 327 plaques now located throughout the city. Some of the famous individuals who are commemorated with blue plaques in Birmingham include J.R.R. Tolkien and Ozzy Osbourne. 

In Liverpool, some of the famous people who have been commemorated with blue plaques include The Beatles, William Gladstone, and George Melly. The Liverpool Blue Plaque Scheme also recognizes buildings that have historical or architectural significance, such as the Royal Liver Building, which is home to the famous Liver Birds.

Sunniest places for an outdoor adventure 

You can’t plan a trip without checking the weather! We’ve made it a whole lot easier to see which places are going to be your tan-line guarantee by finding the average number of annual sunshine hours each place has across the UK.

Brighton and Hove is the sunniest place in the UK, receiving over 1,892 hours of sunshine annually as it sits on the south coast, close to France and other warmer countries. The South Downs also gives it some shelter from bad weather, and being by the sea keeps things mild. That’s why it’s a top spot for sun seekers in the UK. Coastal towns of Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton and Bournemouth also topped the list.

It won’t surprise you to see that many of the places here are south of the UK. Although Liverpool managed to sneak into the top 15. Believe it or not, Liverpool received more sunshine than you might expect. It’s not quite Brighton, but it holds its own! Whilst the sun doesn’t need to be beaming to enjoy some of the cultural capitals of the UK, it sure does help enjoy some of the outdoor attractions and hospitality venues on offer.

Ranked: The top 30 outdoor culture capitals of the UK

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Methodology

To give perimeters for the study, we looked at the 50 most populous towns and cities in the UK as the base for the campaign. Once these were established, we collated six unique data points (from the data sources provided). Once each data point was collated for each location, the six data sets were ranked and given an index score out of 50. 

Two of the data sets (number of restaurants, bars and pubs with outdoor seating and lowest average rainfall) were given a higher weighting of 20% whilst the other metrics were given 15%, to recognise the importance of the locations needing decent amenities and the opportunity to host events outdoors. The indexes were then weighted accordingly and a final index score given so we can see the outdoor culture capitals ranked

Data Sources