The UK’s most picturesque places to move to

 

Britain is home to bountiful countryside, quaint villages, charming market towns and stunning cities, and with the UK property market enjoying a boom since last July, demand for property is still strong and prices are still on the rise.  

Our latest Home Improvement Trends Report revealed that more than a quarter of UK homeowners (29%) want to move house this year to get more outside space, and 25% want a bigger home.

So, to offer some inspiration for people looking to relocate, we analysed hashtags for over 500 towns and cities in the UK to reveal which are considered the most picturesque. Taking into account population size for each place, we’ve dug into which have the most photos taken per capita, to discover the most photographed places around the UK.

If you’re keen to upsize but would prefer to improve and not move, find local tradespeople who can help with kitchen extensions, loft conversions or take a look at our cost guides to see how much different jobs could cost.

The UK’s top 20 most picturesque places to live in

Our research shows Durham is the most Insta-worthy place to live in the UK. More than 2.5 million photos of Durham have been shared on Instagram; with a population of just over 50,000, that means for every inhabitant, 50 photos are shared online, making it the most photographed place in the UK.

Cornish surfing town Newquay follows as the second most scenic place in the UK with 42 photos shared per capita, and Stamford in Lincolnshire is third, with 32 photos shared per person.

Scarborough, with almost 2 million Instagram photos and a population of just over 60,000, boasts 31 photos per resident, which lands the North Yorkshire town in fourth. In fifth, with 30 Instagram shots per capita, it’s the northern city of Manchester, with a whopping 16.5 million shots and a population of just over 550,00.

The top 100 most photographed places in the UK (positions 1 -50)

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Durham	2,601,061	County Durham	North East	51,837	50.18
2	Newquay	909,883	Cornwall	South West	21,889	41.57
3	Stamford	653,624	Lincolnshire	East Midlands	20,558	31.79
4	Scarborough	1,901,394	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	61,525	30.90
5	Manchester	16,468,992	Greater Manchester	North West	554,400	29.71
6	Brighton	7,075,737	East Sussex	South East	241,999	29.24
7	Cambridge	4,319,044	Cambridgeshire	East	149,023	28.98
8	Falmouth	684,587	Cornwall	South West	23,968	28.56
9	York	4,554,540	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	161,994	28.12
10	Warwick	851,832	Warwickshire	West Midlands	32,718	26.04
11	Liverpool	14,833,871	Merseyside	North West	579,256	25.61
12	Oxford	4,146,065	Oxfordshire	South East	163,967	25.29
13	Newcastle upon Tyne	5,646,656	Tyne and Wear	North East	281,842	20.03
14	Edinburgh	9,581,542	Edinburgh	Scotland	488,050	19.63
15	London	150,696,691	London	London	8,907,918	16.92
16	Ely	335,558	Cambridgeshire	East	20,255	16.57
17	Canterbury	1,028,006	Kent	South East	62,767	16.38
18	Torquay	822,303	Devon	South West	50,645	16.24
19	Margate	870,828	Kent	South East	64,757	13.45
20	Inverness	621,240	Highland	Scotland	47,290	13.14
21	Chichester	405,584	West Sussex	South East	31,831	12.74
22	Elgin	314,565	Moray	Scotland	24,760	12.70
23	Salisbury	582,638	Wiltshire	South West	46,309	12.58
24	Whitstable	418,108	Kent	South East	33,505	12.48
25	Stirling	466,113	Stirling	Scotland	37,610	12.39
26	Stratford-upon-Avon	352,699	Warwickshire	West Midlands	29,565	11.93
27	Glasgow	7,250,125	Glasgow	Scotland	612,040	11.85
28	Leeds	5,680,914	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	503,388	11.29
29	Cardiff	3,856,221	South Glamorgan	Wales	350,558	11.00
30	Norwich	2,112,233	Norfolk	East	195,761	10.79
31	Bristol	6,143,946	Bristol	South West	571,922	10.74
32	Seaford	246,106	East Sussex	South East	23,463	10.49
33	Buxton	234,963	Derbyshire	East Midlands	22,661	10.37
34	Belfast	3,389,541	County Antrim County Down	Northern Ireland	328,937	10.30
35	Airdrie	381,749	North Lanarkshire	Scotland	37,410	10.20
36	Nottingham	3,159,808	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands	311,823	10.13
37	Worcester	1,032,706	Worcestershire	West Midlands	103,769	9.95
38	Blackpool	1,444,818	Lancashire	North West	145,722	9.91
39	Bournemouth	1,937,855	Dorset	South West	198,727	9.75
40	Preston	961,334	Lancashire	North West	99,198	9.69
41	Harrogate	715,478	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	74,426	9.61
42	Lichfield	324,849	Staffordshire	West Midlands	33,816	9.61
43	Hastings	896,002	East Sussex	South East	93,592	9.57
44	Exmouth	329,133	Devon	South West	35,438	9.29
45	Hitchin	335,888	Hertfordshire	East	36,202	9.28
46	Hertford	261,531	Hertfordshire	East	28,860	9.06
47	Broadstairs	220,558	Kent	South East	24,543	8.99
48	Cheltenham	1,058,353	Gloucestershire	South West	117,843	8.98
49	Ashford	255,472	Surrey	South East	28,676	8.91
50	Sevenoaks	277,787	Kent	South East	31,402	8.85

Top five most photographed places in the South East

One of the UK’s most famous seaside destinations takes the top spot in the South East. It’s no surprise really that Brighton, with two piers, an expansive beach and vibrant culture, is the most photographed place.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Brighton	7,075,737	East Sussex	South East	241,999	29.24
2	Oxford	4,146,065	Oxfordshire	South East	163,967	25.29
3	Canterbury	1,028,006	Kent	South East	62,767	16.38
4	Margate	870,828	Kent	South East	64,757	13.45
5	Chichester	405,584	West Sussex	South East	31,831	12.74

Top five most photographed places in the South West

Cornish surfer town Newquay boasts stunning natural scenery and one of the most famous beaches in the UK, Fistral Beach. Home to one of Europe’s biggest beach festivals and previously part of the professional surfing circuit, the quaint laid-back town also offers tropical gardens, a zoo and an aquarium.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Newquay	909,883	Cornwall	South West	21,889	41.57
2	Falmouth	684,587	Cornwall	South West	23,968	28.56
3	Torquay	822,303	Devon	South West	50,645	16.24
4	Salisbury	582,638	Wiltshire	South West	46,309	12.58
5	Bristol	6,143,946	Bristol	South West	571,922	10.74

Top five most photographed places in Yorkshire and the Humber

Britain’s ‘original seaside resort’, Scarborough, averages 31 photos on Instagram per resident, the highest of all places in Yorkshire and the Humber. Boasting two beaches, exciting attractions and a rich history, visitors have been holidaying in Scarborough for almost 400 years!

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Scarborough	1,901,394	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	61,525	30.90
2	York	4,554,540	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	161,994	28.12
3	Leeds	5,680,914	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	503,388	11.29
4	Harrogate	715,478	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	74,426	9.61
5	Sheffield	3,841,995	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	544,402	7.06

Top five most photographed places in the East Midlands

Widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest towns, Stamford has a host of 17^th and 18^th century stone buildings, old timber-framed buildings and five medieval parish churches – and with 653,624 photos posted on Instagram, and a population of just over 20,000, it’s the most photographed place in the East Midlands.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Stamford	653,624	Lincolnshire	East Midlands	20,558	31.79
2	Buxton	234,963	Derbyshire	East Midlands	22,661	10.37
3	Nottingham	3,159,808	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands	311,823	10.13
4	Skegness	193,212	Lincolnshire	East Midlands	25,221	7.66
5	Spalding	264,080	Lincolnshire	East Midlands	35,135	7.52

Top five most photographed places in the West Midlands

Perched on the river Avon – the county town of Warwick, is known for its medieval castle, which was founded by William the Conqueror. Almost a million photos of Warwick have been shared on Instagram, which means it takes the top spot for the most photographed place in the West Midlands.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Warwick	851,832	Warwickshire	West Midlands	32,718	26.04
2	Stratford-upon-Avon	352,699	Warwickshire	West Midlands	29,565	11.93
3	Worcester	1,032,706	Worcestershire	West Midlands	103,769	9.95
4	Lichfield	324,849	Staffordshire	West Midlands	33,816	9.61
5	Kenilworth	183,299	Warwickshire	West Midlands	21,490	8.53

Top five most photographed places in the East

Well known for its prestigious university, Cambridge is perhaps one of the UK’s most famous cities. It’s not surprising so many visitors flock here every year. Located on the river Cam, just 55 miles from London, Cambridge offers punting on the river, exquisite architecture and a world-leading university.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Cambridge	4,319,044	Cambridgeshire	East	149,023	28.98
2	Ely	335,558	Cambridgeshire	East	20,255	16.57
3	Norwich	2,112,233	Norfolk	East	195,761	10.79
4	Hitchin	335,888	Hertfordshire	East	36,202	9.28
5	Hertford	261,531	Hertfordshire	East	28,860	9.06

Top five most photographed places in the North East

According to our research, Durham is the most picturesque place to live in the UK, and it’s also the most photographed place in the North East, with a whopping 50.18 photos taken per capita. Locals are spoilt for choice, with Durham’s cathedral, castle, River Wear and botanical gardens all providing perfect backdrops for photographs.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Durham	2,601,061	County Durham	North East	51,837	50.18
2	Newcastle upon Tyne	5,646,656	Tyne and Wear	North East	281,842	20.03
3	Whitley Bay	233,235	Tyne and Wear	North East	37,058	6.29
4	Tynemouth	307,664	Tyne and Wear	North East	68,530	4.49
5	Seaham	100,665	County Durham	North East	22,579	4.46

Top five most photographed places in the North West

Steeped in industrial history, Manchester was a textile powerhouse in the 18^th century. Often dubbed the capital of the north, Manchester is not only the city that gave birth to Oasis, it’s rich in culture and Victorian architecture and it makes a great place to explore or live in. 

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Manchester	16,468,992	Greater Manchester	North West	554,400	29.71
2	Liverpool	14,833,871	Merseyside	North West	579,256	25.61
3	Blackpool	1,444,818	Lancashire	North West	145,722	9.91
4	Preston	961,334	Lancashire	North West	99,198	9.69
5	Wilmslow	322,718	Cheshire	North West	37,400	8.63

Top five most photographed places in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, with well over 3 million photos posted to Instagram, is the most photographed place in Northern Ireland. Famously, it was also the birth place of the Titanic.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Belfast	3,389,541	County Antrim County Down	Northern Ireland	328,937	10.30
2	Bangor	367,570	County Down	Northern Ireland	61,401	5.99
3	Derry/Londonderry	458,755	County Londonderry	Northern Ireland	83,125	5.52
4	Antrim	121,718	County Antrim	Northern Ireland	23,353	5.21
5	Newry	104,184	County Armagh County Down	Northern Ireland	26,893	3.87

Top five most photographed places in Scotland

The Scottish capital, Edinburgh, is also the most photographed place in Scotland. Home to one of the world’s top universities, along with Scotland’s crown jewels and the majestic Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh is steeped in history and it’s a magical place to live or visit.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Edinburgh	9,581,542	Edinburgh	Scotland	488,050	19.63
2	Inverness	621,240	Highland	Scotland	47,290	13.14
3	Elgin	314,565	Moray	Scotland	24,760	12.70
4	Stirling	466,113	Stirling	Scotland	37,610	12.39
5	Glasgow	7,250,125	Glasgow	Scotland	612,040	11.85

Top five most photographed places in Wales

Wales’ capital, Cardiff, was recently described as the ‘epitome of cool’ by the Lonely Planet Travel Guide. The cosmopolitan city is a friendly, affordable and exciting destination that’s home to around 350,000 residents. With almost 4 million photos shared to Instagram, it’s also the most photographed place in Wales.

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
1	Cardiff	3,856,221	South Glamorgan	Wales	350,558	11.00
2	Swansea	1,288,549	West Glamorgan	Wales	184,436	6.99
3	Penarth	165,831	South Glamorgan	Wales	29,388	5.64
4	Wrexham	240,722	Clwyd	Wales	61,548	3.91
5	Rhyl	74,511	Clwyd	Wales	25,994	2.87

The top 100 (positions 51-100) most photographed places in the UK

Rank	City/Town	Instagram photos	County	Region	Population	Photos per person
51	Wilmslow	322,718	Cheshire	North West	37,400	8.63
52	Bedford	790,115	Bedfordshire	East	92,405	8.55
53	Kenilworth	183,299	Warwickshire	West Midlands	21,490	8.53
54	Exeter	1,051,152	Devon	South West	123,379	8.52
55	Reigate	197,200	Surrey	South East	23,391	8.43
56	Shrewsbury	618,135	Shropshire	West Midlands	73,838	8.37
57	Weymouth	446,520	Dorset	South West	55,174	8.09
58	Aberdeen	1,620,727	Aberdeen	Scotland	200,680	8.08
59	Royal Tunbridge Wells	466,152	Kent	South East	60,570	7.70
60	Skegness	193,212	Lincolnshire	East Midlands	25,221	7.66
61	Farnham	204,691	Surrey	South East	27,056	7.57
62	Spalding	264,080	Lincolnshire	East Midlands	35,135	7.52
63	Hereford	473,444	Herefordshire	West Midlands	63,689	7.43
64	Caterham	168,727	Surrey	South East	23,013	7.33
65	Frome	199,857	Somerset	South West	27,372	7.30
66	Southampton	1,960,004	Hampshire	South East	269,231	7.28
67	Portsmouth	1,805,654	Hampshire	South East	248,479	7.27
68	Sheffield	3,841,995	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	544,402	7.06
69	Swansea	1,288,549	West Glamorgan	Wales	184,436	6.99
70	Birmingham	8,043,092	West Midlands	West Midlands	1,153,717	6.97
71	Altrincham	382,523	Greater Manchester	North West	55,531	6.89
72	Southport	642,176	Merseyside	North West	93,426	6.87
73	Redhill	255,295	Surrey	South East	37,383	6.83
74	Yate	208,728	Gloucestershire	South West	30,626	6.82
75	Loughton	221,392	Essex	East	32,660	6.78
76	Guildford	576,543	Surrey	South East	85,208	6.77
77	Whitefield	141,720	Greater Manchester	North West	21,147	6.70
78	Maldon	146,112	Essex	East	21,810	6.70
79	Huntingdon	171,950	Cambridgeshire	East	25,908	6.64
80	Weybridge	199,653	Surrey	South East	30,145	6.62
81	Cleethorpes	259,248	Lincolnshire	Yorkshire Humber	39,188	6.62
82	Dundee	962,887	Dundee	Scotland	148,280	6.49
83	Faversham	132,043	Kent	South East	20,468	6.45
84	St Albans	559,102	Hertfordshire	East	86,961	6.43
85	Whitley Bay	233,235	Tyne and Wear	North East	37,058	6.29
86	Stroud	212,673	Gloucestershire	South West	34,173	6.22
87	Berkhamsted	133,184	Hertfordshire	East	21,435	6.21
88	Ramsgate	263,329	Kent	South East	42,632	6.18
89	Falkirk	220,653	Falkirk	Scotland	35,850	6.15
90	Clevedon	128,379	Somerset	South West	21,117	6.08
91	Formby	141,779	Merseyside	North West	23,365	6.07
92	Folkestone	320,464	Kent	South East	52,954	6.05
93	Bangor	367,570	County Down	Northern Ireland	61,401	5.99
94	Eastbourne	673,275	East Sussex	South East	113,646	5.92
95	Newbury	246,088	Berkshire	South East	41,883	5.88
96	Bury St Edmunds	246,331	Suffolk	East	41,940	5.87
97	Whitehaven	136,994	Cumbria	North West	23,668	5.79
98	Penarth	165,831	South Glamorgan	Wales	29,388	5.64
99	Doncaster	635,297	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire Humber	114,900	5.53
100	Derry/Londonderry	458,755	County Londonderry	Northern Ireland	83,125	5.52

Methodology

To create the index of the most picturesque places in the UK, Instagram hashtag data was calculated for the 500 largest towns and cities in the UK. Population data was sourced from: https://www.thegeographist.com/uk-cities-population-1000/.

Some place names were removed from the analysis if the word was associated with something else, for example Rugby had to be discounted as many of the photos on Instagram were related to the sport and not the place.

The total number of photos for each location’s key hashtag, for example #London, #Truro, #Ely, was then divided by the population for that place to reveal the Instagram photos per capita. The higher the number, the more picturesque the place.

Data correct at 15.08.21

Sources:

• House prices still on the rise: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58112221
• 29% of UK homeowners want to move house to get more outside space: https://www.ratedpeople.com/blog/home-improvement-trends-report