Which UK cities have the most green space?
How much green space is available in your city? To celebrate National #GetOutsideDay on Sunday 24th September, the experts at Ordnance Survey have revealed a 2023 ranking list for every community granted city status in England, Scotland and Wales, showing the percentage of green space in each.
Green space is defined as public parks or gardens, playing fields, play spaces, outdoor sports facilities, bowling greens, cemeteries, golf courses, religious grounds, gardens, allotments or community growing spaces, and tennis courts.
When green space statistics are broken down city by city as percentages, St Albans, Wakefield and Bristol top the list for the most abundant green spaces in Britain, while City Of London, Ripon and Chichester contain the least. The ranking list was calculated using OS Open Greenspace Data from the OS Data Hub.
Top UK cities for green space in 2023
- St Albans 26.97% of green space
- Wakefield 26.82%
- Bristol 24.02%
- Stoke-on-Trent 23.82%
- Peterborough 23.16%
- City of Westminster 22.13%
- Wrexham 20.82%
- Nottingham 20.68%
- Dundee 20.50%
- Milton Keynes 20.43%
- Manchester 20.42%
- Oxford 19.86%
- Edinburgh 19.36%
- Chelmsford 19.32%
- Newcastle upon Tyne 19.31%
Connect with nature in green spaces close by
While the fast pace of urban life takes precedence for many of us living in cities, OS wants to use National #GetOutsideDay on Sunday 24th September as a chance to pause our hectic lives, take a breath of fresh air and connect with nature in the many green spaces our urban environments have to offer.
It is encouraging people to dedicate at least one hour that day to connect with nature in their green spaces close by. Whether it’s a peaceful stroll, a family picnic, some time at the allotment, or sitting in the park and appreciating the world around you, improving our well-being is often only a stone’s throw away.
“You don’t need to travel into the wild countryside or our beautiful national parks to experience the benefits of getting outside,” said OS’s MD for Leisure, Nick Giles OBE.
“Many of us can’t do that at the drop of a hat, but we can get out on our doorstep to our nearest park, common or green spaces and get just as much benefit.
“Why not take a bit of time out on Sunday 24th September to do just that?
“There are thousands of precious urban green spaces dotted all over Britain worthy of spending time in to recharge and cleanse the body and soul given the incredible benefits of being in nature – which is what National #GetOutsideDay is about.
Reduce stress, boost mental clarity, and enhance physical health
“Scientific research has consistently shown that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, boost mental clarity, and enhance overall physical health,” said Nick. “Plus this gives us a great opportunity to connect with friends and families.
“The OS Maps App is a great introduction for this as it contains all the green space in our towns and cities and is packed full of easy-to-use walking routes to follow all over the country.
“Nature is our greatest healer, and it’s often closer than we realize. This year we want National #GetOutsideDay to be used by people to embrace the natural beauty existing within our urban environments to help them recharge and re-engage with nature.”
Learn more about National #GetOutsideDay by visiting getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk where you can share your own precious places outside on OS Maps App. Or download the OS Maps App for free to find out where your nearest green spaces are.
