Introduction
The term “walkability” was invented in the 1960s due to Jane Jacobs’s revolution in urban studies. A city is walkable if it consists of the following: pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, proximity to amenities, public transport connectivity, and safety and accessibility.
Having walkable cities in the UK is important on many levels.
The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. To reach this there is a push for sustainable urban living and reduced reliance on cars, therefore creating more walkable cities. There are also health benefits associated with walkable cities. Walkable cities not only promote an active lifestyle, but the increase in physical activity reduces obesity and chronic disease rates. Some of the UK’s most popular attractions are now offering car-free initiatives, making it easier to visit by train, bus, bike, or on foot.
In this article we will be focussing on Find out what are the most walkable cities in the UK, what makes them pedestrian-friendly, and what are the cities’ future improvements for urban Walkability., so stay with Remitly to find out more.
What Makes a City Walkable?
Walkability has become popular in recent years due to the health, economic, and environmental benefits. Walkability is defined as the accessibility to amenities on foot. Walkability is an important component in sustainable urban planning, and there has been a recent shift in people wanting car-free cities.
To achieve this, the following factors must be considered:
- Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure which includes wide pavements, pedestrian-only zones, and safe crossings
- Proximity to amenities such as restaurants, shops, parks, and workplaces being within walking distance
- There must be easy access to all public transport, including buses, trains, and cycling routes
- Green spaces and public areas must be available such as parks, waterfront promenades, and pedestrian-friendly plazas
- Car-free areas, speed limits and cycling paths must be implemented throughout the city
- There must be well-lit streets, low traffic congestion, and accessibility for everyone.
Walkability is measured by a walk score.
Each city is awarded Walkability points from 0 to 100 based on the factors above. The higher the number, the more walkable the city is. In 2024, Oxford was named the most walkable city in the UK, followed by Edinburgh, Brighton, York, Bristol, London, and Cambridge.
The Most Walkable Cities in the UK
Let’s dive into what makes these cities the most walkable in the UK.
London
London is a city of walkable neighbourhoods. It is one of the most walkable cities in the UK. The mayor of London’s aim for 2041 is that 80% of Londoners’ trips will be on foot, by cycle, or on public transport. Central London already has a few pedestrian-only zones such as Covent Garden, Soho, and South Bank. These are all very popular areas of London, which in part is down to how easy it is to walk around.
There are also many green spaces within London, such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Hampstead Heath. This allows people to spend some time in nature away from their busy city lives. We cannot forget the public transport system in London, including walking-friendly access to the underground, overground, and bus networks, making it a breeze to navigate your way around the city.
With the mayor’s aim for 2041, some car-free initiatives have been offered to tourists to reduce traffic congestion. This includes London participating in World Car-free day in September. Last year, various streets in London were closed to cars and London Play encouraged people to use space hoppers to get around the city.
There have been no plans revealed for this year’s event but keep a look out for how to get involved. London did not get the top spot for the most walkable city due to some lingering challenges, including some areas of high foot traffic and pollution. If these challenges can be overcome then it will be possible for London to gain the title of most walkable city in the UK.
Edinburgh
Previously named the most walkable city in the UK, Edinburgh’s city centre is designed for pedestrians. Rich in history, Edinburgh possesses the Royal Mile, a completely walkable historic street. The Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, connecting Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a base of volcanic rock, with the Palace of Holyroodhouse, resting in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. These are all must-see attractions in Edinburgh which are also walkable.
The Edinburgh City Centre Transformation (ECCT) Strategy has been proposed in recent years with the view to make Edinburgh a people-focused capital city centre which seeks to improve community, economic, and cultural life. In this proposal, they aim to achieve a walkable city centre with a pedestrian priority zone and a network of connected, high-quality, car-free streets.
They also propose a connected network across the city centre of new segregated and safe cycle routes, including the provision of a new walking and cycling bridge connecting the Old Town and the New Town. Finally, improved public transport journey times, a free city centre hopper bus, and public transport interchanges would make it easier to switch between rail, bus, tram, taxi, bike, and walking routes. All of these changes will make Edinburgh a more walkable city. The biggest challenge Edinburgh faces is its hilly terrain, which can make walking more difficult in some areas. However, this is where the improved public transport system will help.
Cambridge
Cambridge is a highly walkable city, with its residents being able to complete all errands without the use of a car. Cambridge’s layout promotes walking and cycling with various routes to use. It has a compact city centre with university buildings, museums, and shopping areas all within a short walk.
Cambridge provides a variety of walking tours as well as punting river routes which Cambridge is famous for. The river Cam offers many scenic walking paths if a boat ride is not for you. One of these walks takes you through Parkers Piece, River Cam, the Backs, and the city centre amongst other places.
It takes around two hours to complete and is a great way to see all the historic sites Cambridge has to offer. Due to its historical nature, many of the streets in Cambridge are designed for pedestrians and cyclists rather than cars.
However, there is limited pedestrian space available along the river and bridges, which often results in pedestrians and cyclists competing for space negatively impacting on visitor experience and satisfaction. As Cambridge is a historic city, overcoming this issue will be difficult; therefore, improving the walkability score may be challenging.
Oxford
Oxford was named the most walkable city in 2024. This is mostly due to walking as the main mode of transport for the majority of residents. There is a high student population due to the universities and colleges, most of whom do not have cars and therefore walk from place to place in the city.
Oxford lends itself to walking with many pedestrianised streets such as the high street, Radcliffe square, and Broad street. These are the main streets in Oxford with the highest footfall. There are also wonderful green spaces and river walks, including Christ church meadow, the university parks, and the botanical garden.
Just like Cambridge, there are historical walking tours around the university and college buildings. All attractions in Oxford are within walking distance of one another, making it easy for tourists to see everything in one day. However, due to the age of Oxford, many streets are cobblestone which can be difficult for wheelchair users and cyclists.
York
York lies within historic walls built by the Romans. York’s compact city centre allows residents and tourists to access museums, shops, and restaurants all within walking distance with no need for a car.
Many areas of York have been pedestrianised or vehicle-restricted since 1987, including Stonegate, Parliament Street, Davygate, Coney Street, and many other streets leading up to York Minster. The shambles is a popular place to visit in York with its medieval buildings. Visiting is made easier by the pedestrianisation of the street.
As well as streets being pedestrianised, there are many pedestrian bridges and riverside walks in York. Scarborough Bridge was built in 2019 over the river Ouse to connect York railway station with the city centre and has reduced traffic congestion. The Millennium Bridge creates an interesting circular walk from the city centre via the tree-lined Georgian avenue of New Walk.
There is a lot to see in the city of York and it can all be done by foot. However, due to its popularity, York can become very busy in the summer, which can cause its narrow streets to become crowded.
Bath
Bath is known for its UNESCO-listed city centre, including the Roman Baths, The Abbey, Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge, all of which are within walking distance of each other. Bath already has several pedestrian-only streets, including the high street and shopping centre.
The council have proposed the Bath Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling Links (BWWCL) scheme. It aims to provide continuous cycle routes, as well as walking and wheeling improvements designed to connect key areas within Bath through a network of dedicated cycle lanes, advisory routes, and improved pedestrian paths. This will enable more travel choices, healthier places and people, and greater connectivity in and out of the city centre. Although, the steep hills and cobbled streets could still cause difficulty for some tourists sightseeing in Bath.
Brighton
Brighton is famous for its lanes with narrow pedestrian-friendly shopping areas and lots of independent cafes and shops for tourists and residents to enjoy. Brighton seafront is also a must-see attraction with its long promenade ideal for walking and cycling.
The train station is located within walking distance of major attractions such as the Brighton Pier, Royal Pavillion, and i360. This makes it very appealing to tourists who may not want to drive to the city. However, due to high rates of tourism in the summer, crowds can make walking slow, especially in the narrow lanes.
The Future of Walkable Cities in the UK
As we touched on in the previous section, many of these cities are creating plans to improve pedestrian accessibility. Many cities are introducing more car-free zones to ensure the safety of pedestrians during peak times. There are also plans to expand and improve public transport and cycling routes to make urban areas less car-dependent, in turn reducing traffic congestion. One example of this is the Bath Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling Links (BWWCL) scheme.
In some cities such as Cambridge, there are investments in green spaces to create more walkable parks and riverfronts. There is a lot of sustainable urban planning occurring over the next decade to ensure accessibility is improved whilst also reducing congestion and greenhouse gases. These changes will not only make the cities in the UK more walkable, but also go towards achieving a carbon-neutral United Kingdom.
Conclusion
In summary, all of these cities are constantly making ongoing improvements to their walkability score using urban planning. These sustainable cities will not only contribute to environmental benefits, but their residents will also see improvements in their health as they are able to complete their daily errands all on foot.
If you are looking to have a staycation this year, then why not visit the most walkable cities in the UK? Go to London, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Oxford, York, Bath, or Brighton and see how walkable you think they are.=
FAQs
What is the most walkable city in the UK?
As of 2024, Oxford is the UK’s most pedestrian-friendly city, followed by London, Edinburgh, Cambridge, and York.
Why is walkability important in UK cities?
Walkability is important because it reduces traffic congestion, promotes sustainability, and improves the health of the city’s residents as well as improving the environment.
Which areas in London are best for walking?
If you’re looking for the best areas in London for walking, try Covent Garden, South Bank, Soho, and Hyde Park, which are highly pedestrian-friendly.
How does the UK improve walkability in its cities?
The UK is investing in sustainable urban planning creating pedestrian zones, car-free streets, and improved public transport to improve its walkability in the cities.
What are the best small walkable cities in the UK?
York, Bath, and Brighton are popular compact cities with excellent pedestrian accessibility.
What are future plans for improving walkability in the UK?
Upcoming projects include expanding pedestrian-only areas, improving urban green spaces and updating the public transport systems.