If city life is your thing, but London isn’t, then the United Kingdom has a wealth of options to offer beyond the English capital. Britain is relatively small, by land mass, yet it's densely populated and increasingly attractive – all thanks to a diverse range of cities; all of which have attractively historic roots and are being developed and redefined for a more modern, and increasingly sustainable, mode of 21st-century living. Here is our expert rundown of the most expensive cities in which to buy a home in the UK outside London.
CAMBRIDGE
People from all over the world flock to Cambridge, home of one of the world’s oldest and best universities – and one of the most beautiful. Languages from all over the globe can be heard amid the stunningly ornate college buildings, as international students, scholars and professors go about their business, flitting between their areas of study and the deeply atmospheric riverside gardens and parks. The city is postcard-pretty, with gorgeous places to explore and plenty of green space. With top-class amenities and schools, and world-leading cultural collections to match its impeccable period properties, Cambridge is in hot demand.
OXFORD
From one jaw-dropping epicentre of education to another – the University of Oxford is the oldest in the English-speaking world, and it dominates a city that can sometimes make you feel like you’re dreaming, or at least on a film set. Turn your head at any angle and you’ll find architectural wonder and natural beauty: listed buildings, pristine quadrangles, gothic spires, pretty parks with cute bridges, and people punting along the river on boats. Housing supply is limited as the city’s green belt protects rural surroundings – and so the properties that become available are as desirable as you’d expect. The Cotswolds is also nearby.
BRISTOL
If Cambridge and Oxford are rooted in education and tradition, Bristol’s growth owes a lot to an adventurous spirit and cultural thirst which continues to this day. Built around the River Avon in south-west England, Bristol has a rich seafaring history and its city-centre docks have been lovingly redeveloped in recent times to become popular heritage and residential hotspots. Unlike some other cities in the UK, Bristol is hilly – and the upshot is some stunning views, especially around the Clifton area and the famous Suspension Bridge. Creative industries have a real foothold in the city, especially in television and animation – and while parts of the city are quiet and sophisticated, there’s also an air of freedom – a bohemian buzz unlike any other, with live music and diverse, supportive communities.
Bristol also boasts an international airport, excellent motorway links (with the M4 and M5 nearby), and is considered by many as the gateway to Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.
BOURNEMOUTH
A real English treasure, tucked away on the south coast, Bournemouth offers seven miles of sandy beaches and locals say that the climate is the best in the UK: the sun really does shine here, and its proximity to France is discernable at times. It’s a university city, boosted by hordes of international students, and there is a variety of life in and around Bournemouth that many other cities just can’t offer: watersports; Poole Harbour, Europe's largest natural harbour, to the west; and the New Forest, a tranquil holiday destination, just to the east.
PORTSMOUTH
Like Bournemouth, Portsmouth is a waterfront city, but the look and feel is different. As the name suggests, the port dominates here, with ferries and cruise liners setting sail to Europe and beyond, while it remains an important strategic naval base to this day. It’s popular with families, who enjoy the green space of Portsmouth’s many parks and a busy calendar of cultural events, many centred around the Historic Dockyard and the Mary Rose. The property market is diverse, with attractive period homes and modern apartments on offer.
EDINBURGH
Scotland's capital is a perennially desirable place to live, with property prices befitting a beautiful city that ranks alongside Rome and Athens for architecture, history, and atmosphere. It’s perched on an extinct volcano, with the imposing Edinburgh Castle at its apex: historic sites are everywhere, and this has been recognised: it’s a Unesco World Heritage Site. People live and work here in great comfort and Edinburgh is a hotspot for families. The facilities, schools, shops, dining, and transport links are all outstanding.
CARDIFF
Endlessly vibrant, loud, and proud. Cardiff lets people know that it's the capital of Wales, and this sense of belonging only enhances its welcoming and diverse city, which is packed with cultural riches and historic charm. Some of its suburbs are blessed with large, handsome Victorian properties on pretty tree-lined streets and local communities make the most of good schools and cosy cafes. Meanwhile the city centre never lacks entertainment —not least with an epic old castle and a 76,000-seat sports stadium slap bang in the middle.
LEICESTER
Deep in the heart of England, Leicester is one of England’s oldest cities (Richard III was killed in battle here) and yet one of its most modern. The rich multicultural environment is buzzing with cultural festivals, international cuisine, green spaces, and one of Europe's largest covered markets, and the Grand Union Canal cuts through the heart of the city, with pubs and cafes on its pathways. The University of Leicester and De Montfort University contribute to the city's vibrancy and the intellectual atmosphere is bolstered by pioneering space research. Homes on the outside of the city are spacious and comfortable, and Leicester is surrounded by lovely market towns, such as Market Harborough and Melton Mowbray.
MANCHESTER
Revered the world over for its all-conquering football teams and an ear-conquering music scene, Manchester is a heavyweight cultural hub, and a wonderful place to live. Residential areas range from genteel to buzzing, to coin a local term, and many of the period properties are spacious and full of character. Local facilities are on a par with anywhere in the UK – cafes, galleries, schools, and transport links – while the people are famously friendly. Areas of Outstanding Beauty such as the Peak District and Lake District are just an hour's drive away.
As our list illustrates, Britain is bedecked with appealing cities. And with London property prices so high, the motivation and momentum to elevate other cities to optimum living standards – where quality of life is as good as anywhere else – is greater than ever before.
