How Many Cities Are There In The UK? A Complete Guide
History, culture, exciting activities, and architectural beauty make the United Kingdom a worthwhile place. Four remarkable countries are included in this land such as Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Visiting these places this holiday season means you will have to know all of their cities first. There is a unique charm, attractions, and beauty in each place. But knowing exactly how many cities there are in the UK is necessary before going.
Mostly, the places are named as cities because of their large population. But wait, do you know St David’s population is less than 2,000, but still it is a city? The reason behind it is the UK’s Royal Charter. Each place is given the status of a city depending upon this Royal Charter rather than its population size. There is a competition that takes place here for choosing the new cities. Let’s find out the total number of cities in the UK, their attractions, how they have been given city status, and much more.
What Defines A City In The UK?
In many countries, cities are given city status because of their population. However, there is a traditional way of choosing a city in the United Kingdom. Here, the monarch chooses the cities through a Royal Charter. After being recognized by the crown, these places are given the name of the city regardless of their population. Are you also finding out how a city is different from a town?
In general, both of these are different because cities are known for their higher population and have a larger area. Towns are those with smaller areas and populations. But, categorizing these places into cities has different rules in different countries.
What Is The Criteria For A City Status In The UK?
The process of granting a city status has transformed over time. There are no fixed rules for granting a city status, but some factors are important to know.
- Historically, a Cathedral was the main requirement for granting the status of a city.
- The towns having a larger population and economic status have higher chances of getting city names.
- The historical significance and administrative importance are also essential for gaining the city’s status.
- There is also a special competition for towns to apply for city status during special occasions like the Queen’s Jubilee.
These are some of the important criteria for giving a city status to the town.
How Many Cities Are There In The UK?
There are a total of 76 officially announced cities in the United Kingdom with a four constituent distribution. It includes:
- England: 55 Cities
- Northern Ireland: 6 Cities
- Wales: 7 Cities
- Scotland: 8 Cities
The names of some major cities are given here in this blog.
List of Cities in England
A larger number of cities are in England. Some of the major, larger, smaller, and well-known include the following:
| London | Birmingham | Manchester | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Leeds
|
Sheffield
|
Bristol
|
Nottingham
|
|
Newcastle
|
Leicester
|
Coventry
|
Sunderland
|
|
Bradford
|
Wolverhampton
|
Bath |
Cambridge
|
|
Carlisle
|
Chester |
Chichester
|
Coventry
|
|
Derby
|
Doncaster
|
Durham |
Ely |
|
Exeter
|
Gloucester
|
Hereford |
Kingston Upon Thames |
|
Kingston upon Hull
|
Lancaster |
Lichfield
|
Lincoln
|
|
Milton Keynes
|
Newcastle Upon Tyne
|
Norwich
|
Nottingham
|
|
Oxford
|
Salisbury
|
Southend-on-sea
|
Southampton
|
|
Southwell |
Stoke-on-Trent
|
Sunderland |
Truro |
|
Wakefield
|
Wells
|
Westminster
|
Winchester
|
|
Wolverhampton
|
Worcester
|
York
|
|
List of Cities in Wales
Wales has seven cities, and Cardiff is the most prominent one.
| Cardiff | Capital and largest city in Wales |
|---|---|
|
Swansea |
Major Coastal City
|
|
Newport
|
Key Economic Centre
|
|
St Asaph
|
Smallest Cities In The UK |
|
St Davids
|
Smallest City By Population |
|
Wrexham
|
Gained city status in 2022 |
|
Bangor
|
The Oldest City in Wales. |
List of Cities in Northern Ireland
The officially recognised cities in Northern Ireland are almost 6.
| Belfast | The capital and largest city |
|---|---|
|
Londonderry |
Known for its historic walls
|
|
Bangor
|
A city since 2002
|
|
Lisburn |
One of the smallest cities |
|
Newry |
The ecclesiastical capital of Ireland |
|
Armagh |
Granted city status in 2022 |
List Of Cities In Scotland
Here are the 8 cities and their names that are in Scotland.
| Edinburgh | Capital city & home to the Scottish Parliament |
|---|---|
|
Glasgow |
The largest city, vibrant culture & industry |
|
Aberdeen
|
Oil and gas hub
|
|
Dundee |
Innovation and the gaming industry |
|
Inverness |
The gateway to the Scottish Highlands |
|
Stirling |
Historically significant due to its medieval history |
|
Perth
|
A former capital of Scotland |
|
Dunfermline
|
Granted city status in 2022 |
Recent Additions to UK Cities
In 2022, some recent cities gained the status of a city. It includes the following:
- Dunfermline (Scotland)
- Wrexham (Wales)
- Bangor (Northern Ireland)
- Milton Keynes (England)
These are recent cities that were recognized as the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II.
Cities, Attractions & Activities In England
A place that is worth exploring for its beauty, attractions, and activities is England. The unique facts about it include:
- London is the capital and the largest city of the nation. In London, popular sites include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum.
- They must take in its shopping streets, West End Theaters, and Thames River Cruises.
- Birmingham is known among all these cities for its industrial heritage; the shopping centre, Cadbury World and Symphony Hall are worth a visit.
- There is also a cultural and sporting hub known as Manchester. Visit its football club, its museums, and also enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
- Next, Liverpool comes and that is the birthplace of the Beatles. It looks exciting with sites such as Albert Dock, the famous Cavern Club, and a rich maritime heritage.
- York is also a medieval city. York is host to a number of historical sites and museums.
Unique Gems In England
Find the beautiful gems in England. It includes major places like Durham, Bath, and Canterbury.
- Spend quality time at the Roman-built Bath and explore the beauty of Georgian architecture.
- You will find a UNESCO World Heritage site here. It includes a beautiful Castle and a Cathedral in Durham.
- A place that holds historical significance and a home to the popular Cathedral is Canterbury.
Local Festivals & Events In England
- Explore their street fest in London, the Notting Hill Carnival.
- The River Thames is graced with one of the most prestigious boat races.
- Experience the UK music festival, the Glastonbury Festival.
- Their famous fish and chips by the sea are one of the culinary joys.
- There is also a Yorkshire Pudding in a Sunday Roast.
- A must-try delicacy from Cornwall is known as a Cornish Pasty.
Cities, Activities & Attractions In Scotland
Some major cities and towns in Scotland hold significant importance.
- Visit the Edinburgh Castle and experience their annual festival. It is also a Capital place and includes The Royal Mile and beautiful attractions.
- Glasgow is the largest Scottish city. Its art scenes, riverside museum, and Kelvingrove art gallery attract the tourists.
- The next is Aberdeen, which is a Granite city. Its oil industry, nearby cities, and beautiful architecture are what it is known for.
- Inverness is also its major city, which is a gateway to the Highlands
Local Festivals & Events In Scotland
- There is a grand Scottish celebration that takes place at Hogmanay. Its way of celebration is street parties and fireworks.
- Enjoy the world’s largest festival dedicated to artwork, which is also known as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
- Its quirky facts include the Loch Ness Monster. It is believed that a legendary creature inhabits here.
- The Scottish and British monarchs also believe in the Stone of Destiny.
Culinary Delights
- The national dish of this place is called Haggis, and it contains sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs as its primary ingredients.
- Well known across the globe, there are marvelous biscuits made from this region that go by the name of shortbread.
- A must try delight of Scotland is their whisky tasting tour.
Cities, Attractions & Activities In Wales
There are 7 cities in Wales that people must know, who are finding out how many cities there are in the UK. Some major ones of Wales include:
- Explore the beauty of Cardiff Castle and its nearby attractions. It is also the Capital of Wales. The things that make it a worthwhile place are the stadium and Cardiff Bay.
- Visit Swansea which holds cultural heritage and has a beautiful coastline.
- Then comes the smallest city in the UK, known as St Davids. It is famous for its Cathedral and coastal walks.
- Chepstow Castle, Forest of Dean, Tintern Abbey, and many more places are here that are worth exploring.
Adventures & Culinary Delight
- The adventures and activities include a Zip Line in Snowdonia, which is fastest zip line in the world.
- There is also a Surfing Lagoon here, which is at Surf Snowdonia.
- Welsh Rarebit is their speciality, which is rich, cheesy, and tasty.
- There is also a seaweed delicacy that should be tried and known as Laverbread.
Cities, Attractions & Activities In Northern Ireland
Belfast, Londonderry, and Bangor represent Northern Ireland’s key cities.
- Belfast is its capital city known for nightlife, the Titanic Belfast museum, and murals.
- The next one is Londonderry, which is a major tourist attraction. It has well-preserved city walls and historic sites.
- There is also a coastal city called Bangor. It is known for its Marina and Victorian Pier.
- According to their famous legend and folklore, there is a Giant’s Causeway that the Irish Giant Finn McCool created.
- Here the St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with full enthusiasm, parades, and festivities.
Visit The Best UK Cities!
The vibrant, lively, or charming spot in the UK. Herewith, you will get most things: culture, heritage, architectural marvels, traditional values, castles, beaches, and many more. Besides this, each city in the UK holds significant importance. People are always in search of the best city and have the same quest: how many cities are in the UK? In total, it has 55 cities, and each has cultural, historical, and natural beauty.
FAQ'S
St Davids is the smallest city in Wales, while London is the largest one. These are mentioned according to the population.
There are several garden cities in the UK. Some sources list 30 garden cities in England.
It includes Letchworth, Welwyn, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Bournville Village, and more.
London is the larger by population.
Officially, there are 76 cities in the United Kingdom, plus numerous towns.
Ella Harrison
Hi, I am a traveling enthusiast. I have explored more than 18 countries. I have been curious about exploring the world since I was a kid. My search for hidden gems helped me immerse myself in the new cultures. Now, my current motive is to share stories about places that can inspire people to experience an adventurous journey. Throughout my exploration, the thing I enjoyed most was hiking in the UK’s places like Chepstow, Wales. I have experienced the vibrant cities and local flavors of different places. Join me and experience unforgettable adventures.
