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Blackfield, play areaBlackfield and Langley, #1 on this list · Photo: Mike Faherty · CC BY-SA 2.0
England and Wales · Outdoors

Best towns for the outdoors in England and Wales

Blackfield and Langley, Hampshire and Netley, Hampshire (tied with 1 more) share first place on outdoors among 2,156 towns and cities of 2,500+ in England and Wales; 593 of the 2,156 grade A− or better against UK towns.

The Outdoors Grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): green space per resident, parks within 400 m, National Park or National Landscape within 5 km, footpaths and the coast. The county rank sits beside each letter. How grades work

#T1

Netley

Hampshire · 6,309 people
A+

Better than almost every UK town·#1 of 76 in Hampshire

#T1

Swanage

Dorset · 9,115 people
A+

Better than almost every UK town·#1 of 30 in Dorset

The top 100

Outdoors grade, best first; towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied). Military garrison towns and university campuses keep their grades but aren’t ranked. Each county rank links to that county’s list.

100 towns on this page. Counties with 15 or more towns have their own list.

#TownGrade · county rankCompared with UK towns
T1Blackfield and LangleyHampshire · 5,844 peopleA+#1 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T1NetleyHampshire · 6,309 peopleA+#1 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T1SwanageDorset · 9,115 peopleA+#1 of 30 in Dorsetbetter than almost every UK town
T4Rowlands CastleHampshire · 2,969 peopleA+#3 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T4WhitbyNorth Yorkshire · 12,603 peopleA+#1 of 54 in North Yorkshirebetter than almost every UK town
T6KeswickCumbria · 4,465 peopleA+#1 of 23 in Cumbriabetter than almost every UK town
T6LindfordHampshire · 2,740 peopleA+#4 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T6PetworthWest Sussex · 2,592 peopleA+#1 of 40 in West Sussexbetter than almost every UK town
T9FolkestoneKent · 51,987 peopleA+#1 of 87 in Kentbetter than almost every UK town
T9Freshwater and TotlandIsle of Wight · 7,523 peopleA+#1 of 10 in Isle of Wightbetter than almost every UK town
11UptonDorset · 8,401 peopleA+#2 of 30 in Dorsetbetter than almost every UK town
12Lee-on-the-SolentHampshire · 24,307 peopleA+#5 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T13HavantHampshire · 46,964 peopleA+#6 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T13HawkingeKent · 8,499 peopleA+#2 of 87 in Kentbetter than almost every UK town
15Trimley St MarySuffolk · 3,736 peopleA+#1 of 34 in Suffolkbetter than almost every UK town
T16HolburyHampshire · 7,339 peopleA+#7 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than almost every UK town
T16WhyteleafeSurrey · 3,174 peopleA+#1 of 65 in Surreybetter than almost every UK town
T18HallingKent · 2,926 peopleA+#3 of 87 in Kentbetter than almost every UK town
T18RyeEast Sussex · 4,888 peopleA+#1 of 26 in East Sussexbetter than almost every UK town
T20AmblesideCumbria · 2,624 peopleA+#2 of 23 in Cumbriabetter than almost every UK town
T20TywardreathCornwall · 2,589 peopleA+#1 of 35 in Cornwallbetter than almost every UK town
22MinchinhamptonGloucestershire · 3,412 peopleA+#1 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than almost every UK town
T23SettleNorth Yorkshire · 2,710 peopleA+#2 of 54 in North Yorkshirebetter than almost every UK town
T23TringHertfordshire · 11,961 peopleA+#1 of 50 in Hertfordshirebetter than almost every UK town
T25ShalfordSurrey · 2,508 peopleA+#2 of 65 in Surreybetter than almost every UK town
T25SnodlandKent · 11,820 peopleA+#4 of 87 in Kentbetter than almost every UK town
T27ArundelWest Sussex · 3,035 peopleA+#2 of 40 in West Sussexbetter than 98% of UK towns
T27HextableKent · 4,100 peopleA+#5 of 87 in Kentbetter than 98% of UK towns
T29Chipping SodburyGloucestershire · 8,026 peopleA+#2 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than 98% of UK towns
T29SheringhamNorfolk · 7,087 peopleA+#1 of 51 in Norfolkbetter than 98% of UK towns
T29Tutshill and SedburyGloucestershire · 3,618 peopleA+#2 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than 98% of UK towns
T32LymingtonHampshire · 14,870 peopleA+#8 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 98% of UK towns
T32SaltashCornwall · 15,433 peopleA+#2 of 35 in Cornwallbetter than 98% of UK towns
T32ThealeBerkshire · 3,053 peopleA+#1 of 30 in Berkshirebetter than 98% of UK towns
35RochesterKent · 67,279 peopleA+#6 of 87 in Kentbetter than 98% of UK towns
T36CuxtonKent · 3,039 peopleA+#7 of 87 in Kentbetter than 98% of UK towns
T36HastingsEast Sussex · 91,497 peopleA+#2 of 26 in East Sussexbetter than 98% of UK towns
38Locks HeathHampshire · 35,744 peopleA+#9 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 98% of UK towns
T39CookhamBerkshire · 5,216 peopleA+#2 of 30 in Berkshirebetter than 98% of UK towns
T39HytheKent · 14,613 peopleA+#8 of 87 in Kentbetter than 98% of UK towns
T39StoneKent · 6,438 peopleA+#8 of 87 in Kentbetter than 98% of UK towns
T42ChepstowGwent · 11,939 peopleA+#1 of 38 in Gwentbetter than 98% of UK towns
T42Great MalvernWorcestershire · 33,194 peopleA+#1 of 22 in Worcestershirebetter than 98% of UK towns
T44LawfordEssex · 4,488 peopleA+#1 of 81 in Essexbetter than 97% of UK towns
T44YateGloucestershire · 28,352 peopleA+#4 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T46CirencesterGloucestershire · 17,715 peopleA+#5 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T46MineheadSomerset · 11,752 peopleA+#1 of 49 in Somersetbetter than 97% of UK towns
T46PrestatynClwyd · 16,678 peopleA+#1 of 39 in Clwydbetter than 97% of UK towns
T49RudloeWiltshire · 2,863 peopleA+#1 of 30 in Wiltshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T49West MallingKent · 4,251 peopleA+#10 of 87 in Kentbetter than 97% of UK towns
T51Chipstead and WoodmansterneSurrey · 4,523 peopleA+#3 of 65 in Surreybetter than 97% of UK towns
T51DownleyBuckinghamshire · 2,655 peopleA+#1 of 39 in Buckinghamshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T51SillothCumbria · 2,542 peopleA+#3 of 23 in Cumbriabetter than 97% of UK towns
T54CaldicotGwent · 9,813 peopleA+#2 of 38 in Gwentbetter than 97% of UK towns
T54OtleyWest Yorkshire · 14,549 peopleA+#1 of 91 in West Yorkshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T54PillSomerset · 4,956 peopleA+#2 of 49 in Somersetbetter than 97% of UK towns
T57Darley DaleDerbyshire · 3,985 peopleA+#1 of 59 in Derbyshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T57FarncombeSurrey · 13,247 peopleA+#4 of 65 in Surreybetter than 97% of UK towns
T57LancasterLancashire · 52,646 peopleA+#1 of 65 in Lancashirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T60JarrowTyne and Wear · 29,467 peopleA+#1 of 34 in Tyne and Wearbetter than 97% of UK towns
T60Lane EndBuckinghamshire · 3,446 peopleA+#2 of 39 in Buckinghamshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T60TadleyHampshire · 14,767 peopleA+#10 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
63Horton HeathHampshire · 3,047 peopleA+#11 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
64Telscombe CliffsEast Sussex · 4,237 peopleA+#3 of 26 in East Sussexbetter than 97% of UK towns
65SwindonWiltshire · 183,687 peopleA+#2 of 30 in Wiltshirebetter than 97% of UK towns
T66SilsoeBedfordshire · 3,419 peopleA+#1 of 33 in Bedfordshirebetter than 96% of UK towns
T66WeybourneSurrey · 11,241 peopleA+#5 of 65 in Surreybetter than 96% of UK towns
T68DoverKent · 36,349 peopleA+#11 of 87 in Kentbetter than 96% of UK towns
T68Pool and IlloganCornwall · 8,588 peopleA+#3 of 35 in Cornwallbetter than 96% of UK towns
T68StroudGloucestershire · 26,073 peopleA+#6 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than 96% of UK towns
71WestonDorset · 5,208 peopleA+#3 of 30 in Dorsetbetter than 96% of UK towns
T72GoringOxfordshire · 3,434 peopleA+#1 of 38 in Oxfordshirebetter than 96% of UK towns
T72HadstonNorthumberland · 2,713 peopleA+#1 of 20 in Northumberlandbetter than 96% of UK towns
T72PlymouthDevon · 266,970 peopleA+#1 of 47 in Devonbetter than 96% of UK towns
T75Hopton on SeaNorfolk · 2,575 peopleA+#2 of 51 in Norfolkbetter than 96% of UK towns
T75WhitehillHampshire · 5,178 peopleA+#12 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 96% of UK towns
77VentnorIsle of Wight · 5,566 peopleA+#2 of 10 in Isle of Wightbetter than 96% of UK towns
78Frinton-on-SeaEssex · 4,865 peopleA+#2 of 81 in Essexbetter than 96% of UK towns
T79Chapeltown and High GreenSouth Yorkshire · 22,187 peopleA+#1 of 63 in South Yorkshirebetter than 96% of UK towns
T79Ecclesfield and GrenosideSouth Yorkshire · 8,187 peopleA+#1 of 63 in South Yorkshirebetter than 96% of UK towns
T81BrockworthGloucestershire · 12,007 peopleA+#7 of 48 in Gloucestershirebetter than 96% of UK towns
T81CamborneCornwall · 20,445 peopleA+#4 of 35 in Cornwallbetter than 96% of UK towns
T83BexleyLondon · 246,074 peopleA+#1 of 33 in Londonbetter than 96% of UK towns
T83WindermereCumbria · 4,819 peopleA+#4 of 23 in Cumbriabetter than 96% of UK towns
T85Hamble-le-RiceHampshire · 4,613 peopleA+#13 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 95% of UK towns
T85LlandudnoClwyd · 14,699 peopleA+#2 of 39 in Clwydbetter than 95% of UK towns
T87HungerfordBerkshire · 5,184 peopleA+#3 of 30 in Berkshirebetter than 95% of UK towns
T87StakefordNorthumberland · 8,197 peopleA+#2 of 20 in Northumberlandbetter than 95% of UK towns
89BurnleyLancashire · 78,266 peopleA+#2 of 65 in Lancashirebetter than 95% of UK towns
T90ConwyClwyd · 15,706 peopleA+#3 of 39 in Clwydbetter than 95% of UK towns
T90DronfieldDerbyshire · 21,161 peopleA+#2 of 59 in Derbyshirebetter than 95% of UK towns
T90LittlehamptonWest Sussex · 19,060 peopleA+#3 of 40 in West Sussexbetter than 95% of UK towns
T93Burry PortDyfed · 4,966 peopleA+#1 of 23 in Dyfedbetter than 95% of UK towns
T93Rownhams and NurslingHampshire · 4,796 peopleA+#14 of 76 in Hampshirebetter than 95% of UK towns
T93SwanscombeKent · 15,462 peopleA+#12 of 87 in Kentbetter than 95% of UK towns
T96BeaminsterDorset · 2,995 peopleA#4 of 30 in Dorsetbetter than 95% of UK towns
T96KesgraveSuffolk · 14,947 peopleA#2 of 34 in Suffolkbetter than 95% of UK towns
T98DorkingSurrey · 17,463 peopleA#6 of 65 in Surreybetter than 95% of UK towns
T98MarsdenWest Yorkshire · 3,691 peopleA#2 of 91 in West Yorkshirebetter than 95% of UK towns
T98Saltburn-by-the-SeaNorth Yorkshire · 5,874 peopleA#3 of 54 in North Yorkshirebetter than 95% of UK towns
Not ranked

Not on this list

22 military garrison towns and university campuses keep their grades but aren’t ranked: most residents serve in the forces or are students. 359 towns have no outdoors grade: missing figures this grade needs.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

Which town in England and Wales is best for the outdoors?

Blackfield and Langley, Hampshire ranks first on outdoors among 2,156 towns, with an A+: better than almost every UK town. Netley, Hampshire and Swanage, Dorset follow.

How are these towns ranked?

The Outdoors Grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): green space per resident, parks within 400 m, National Park or National Landscape within 5 km, footpaths and the coast. The letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.

Why isn’t my town on this list?

Garrison towns and university campuses aren’t ranked, and towns without the figures this grade needs are counted above. Every town of 2,500+ is ranked here; each county with 15 or more such towns has its own list, linked below.

County by county

Best towns for the outdoors, county by county

BedfordshireBerkshireBuckinghamshireCambridgeshireCheshireClwydCornwallCounty DurhamCumbriaDerbyshireDevonDorsetDyfedEast Riding of YorkshireEast SussexEssexGloucestershireGreater ManchesterGwentHampshireHertfordshireKentLancashireLeicestershireLincolnshireLondonMerseysideMid GlamorganNorfolkNorth YorkshireNorthamptonshireNorthumberlandNottinghamshireOxfordshireShropshireSomersetSouth YorkshireStaffordshireSuffolkSurreyTyne and WearWarwickshireWest GlamorganWest MidlandsWest SussexWest YorkshireWiltshireWorcestershire

Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.