A new and surprising ranking of Britain's biggest towns has been published by The Telegraph, listing the nation's 25 most populous towns from best to worst. This comprehensive assessment comes as the government invites bids for the inaugural UK Town of Culture award in 2028, sparking interest in which urban centres already shine and which might benefit from funding.
How the Ranking Was Compiled
Destination expert Chris Moss created the list, focusing on towns in England with the largest populations. Each location was meticulously rated out of ten based on several key criteria, including the quality of its attractions, architecture, food and drink offerings, cultural scene, and overall all-round appeal. The aim was to evaluate which towns already possess substantial visitor appeal and which could potentially gain from investment through the Town of Culture scheme.
Notable Absences and Regional Insights
Interestingly, the list reveals some regional gaps, with no inclusions from Birmingham and the Black Country, nor any towns from Worcestershire, Staffordshire, or Warwickshire. This omission is likely attributed to the population sizes of towns in these areas, which may not meet the threshold for this particular ranking of the biggest towns. The closest featured towns to these regions are Cheltenham, which impressively secures second place, and Telford, which appears at number 19.
The Full List from Best to Worst
According to The Telegraph, here is the ranking of Britain's 25 biggest towns:
- Blackpool
- Cheltenham
- Ipswich
- Rochdale
- Gateshead
- Worthing
- Bournemouth
- Poole
- Stockport
- Blackburn
- Bolton
- Huddersfield
- Warrington
- Swindon
- Reading
- Slough
- Northampton
- Middlesbrough
- Telford
- Basingstoke
- Basildon
- Oldham
- Luton
- Crawley
- Watford
Focus on Telford: A Detailed Assessment
Telford's placement at number 19 comes with a rating of 2.5 out of 10 from Chris Moss. He describes Shropshire's largest town as a polycentric New Town, originally named Dawley, which honours the 19th-century figure Thomas Telford, known as the "Colossus of Roads." However, Moss notes that Telford is very much a 20th-century creation, often compared unfavourably to the nearby historic market town of Shrewsbury, located about 15 miles to the west.
Moss points out that Telford's local appeal primarily rests on its shops and amenities. Yet, he acknowledges the surrounding natural and historical attractions, such as the Wrekin woodland, the UNESCO-listed Ironbridge Gorge, the Shropshire Hills, and the River Severn. He remarks that most of Telford's visitable sights are satellites of the town itself, with Visit Telford even claiming Buildwas Abbey, over five miles away, as part of its offerings.
In his assessment, Moss suggests that Telford serves as a useful base for travellers but may not be a leisurely stopover for those heading to Wales. As a "secret sight" for the town, he recommends the National Trust's Sunnycroft property in neighbouring Wellington, highlighting a hidden gem for visitors to explore.
Context of the UK Town of Culture Initiative
This ranking emerges against the backdrop of the government's new UK Town of Culture scheme, which is currently in the "expressions of interest" phase. Modelled after the successful City of Culture programme launched in 2013, with Bradford as the most recent holder in 2025, the initiative has generated significant discussion among potential competitors.
Three finalists will be selected, representing small, medium, and large towns. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture and receive a £3 million prize to fund their proposed cultural projects. The two runners-up will each be awarded £250,000, providing a substantial boost for local cultural development and visitor attractions.
This ranking by The Telegraph offers a timely snapshot of how Britain's biggest towns currently stack up in terms of cultural and visitor appeal, potentially influencing perceptions and bids as the Town of Culture competition heats up.
