A study has revealed the best UK cities to live in for wine, food, music, the arts, and sports.
The research, conducted by aluminium door and window manufacturer Origin, found that Kent, London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Brighton are the hobby hotspots of the UK.
Kent: The best place to live for wine lovers
Kent, proudly known as the ‘Garden of England’, takes the top spot for wine enthusiasts in the UK. The county is home to over 50 vineyards, including internationally acclaimed producers like Chapel Down, Gusbourne, and Biddenden Vineyards. As well as an abundance of local vineyards, the wine scene is supported by over 26 dedicated wine bars - particularly in charming towns like Tenterden and Rye. New venues continue to open due to a growing demand, partly driven by an influx of residents from London. With plenty of local wine to taste, Kent hosts a calendar packed with tasting events and festivals, such as the prestigious 'Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration,' offering locals and visitors up to 50 wine-centric events a year.
London: The best place to live for foodies
London solidifies its position as the UK's premier location for foodies, offering a variety of world-class dining experiences. The capital is home to approximately 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, including notable establishments such as Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in Mayfair, and CORE by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill. Beyond fine dining, the city's culinary landscape thrives with an estimated 100 food markets, with Borough Market attracting over 20 million visitors a year. London also plays host to numerous major events, with around over 20 food and drink festivals annually, such as 'Taste of London'. London also offers variety boasting over 40 different types of cuisine, from Austrian to Zululand (South Africa).
Edinburgh: The best place to live for art lovers
The arts scene in Edinburgh is incredibly vibrant, anchored by its status as the world's first UNESCO City of Literature. One of the city’s largest arts attractions is the infamous Edinburgh Fringe, hosting thousands of shows and tens of thousands of performances over three weeks for millions of attendees. The city rivals major UK centres for live performance with 26 dedicated theatre venues, including the Royal Lyceum, and is a core stop for top commercial touring theatre and musical productions. The visual arts are well supported too as Edinburgh is the hometown for the National Museums Scotland and various city galleries.
Manchester: The best place to live for sports lovers
Manchester is the ideal place for sports enthusiasts to live. The city supports a high number of professional sports teams across major leagues, most famously including two Premier League football giants: Manchester United and Manchester City. The Greater Manchester area also supports major rugby and county cricket clubs. For those who want to do more than spectate, Manchester is uniquely equipped with sporting infrastructure, largely thanks to the legacy of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The city has close to 60 high-quality sports facilities, including 11 community swimming pools and 28 community health & fitness facilities. Manchester is also prime for community-based sports, with over 30 local running, cycling, or hiking clubs, such as the Manchester Frontrunners.
Brighton: The best place to live for those who love music
A lively and vibrant coastal city, Brighton is a powerhouse for music lovers. Brighton’s busy music scene is driven largely by its density in both events and venues. The city hosts over 60 annual festivals, like The Great Escape (Europe's premier festival for new and emerging artists), alongside major genre-focused festivals like Boundary Festival for electronic music and Love Supreme for jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Its live scene is unmatched, boasting 40.14 venues per 100,000 people and an exceptionally busy gig schedule with 117.42 upcoming music events per 100,000 residents. Brighton also has a rich music heritage, including global dance music icon Fatboy Slim, indie rockers Royal Blood and The Kooks, and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks. As well as venues and heritage, Brighton claims the highest number of record stores per 100,000 residents in the world.
The research analysed wine, food, the arts, sports, and music resources and infrastructure across UK cities and regions, such as the number of music and theatre venues, vineyards, festivals, local facilities.
Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, comments: “We are so fortunate that we have bustling arts, food and sports scenes across the UK. And when you have an interest or hobby you love, it’s only natural to be attracted to locations that support that lifestyle.”
“We’ve been helping homeowners love their homes for over 20 years. Your home should be the perfect base camp for your life, whether that means being minutes from Kent's renowned vineyards, or having effortless access to Brighton’s lively music scene.”