These are the best UK cities for outdoor adventure, just in time for summer!
With the school holidays now in full bloom, it’s time to get out with the kids and enjoy the sunshine.
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie family who loves an outdoor adventure or a family just looking for a day out somewhere different – the best cities for outdoor activities in the UK have been revealed in time for summer.
New research by outdoor experts Blacks has revealed the most active cities in the UK after analysing data on the UK’s number of green spaces, outdoor trails, sports complexes and watersport adventures.
The top ten cities with the most attractions for outdoor fanatics
| Rank | City | Population | Parks | Walking Trails | Biking Trails | Ski & Snowboard Areas | Water Sports | Sports Complexes | Total Attractions and Activities | Attractions and Activities per 100,000 People |
| 1 | Southampton | 246,201 | 17 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 49 | 19.90 |
| 2 | Norwich | 213,166 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 40 | 18.76 |
| 3 | Gloucester | 150,053 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 28 | 18.66 |
| 4 | Plymouth | 260,203 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 47 | 18.06 |
| 5 | Ipswich | 178,835 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 31 | 17.33 |
| 6 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 192,382 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 32 | 16.63 |
| 7 | Peterborough | 163,379 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 27 | 16.53 |
| 8 | Cambridge | 158,434 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 25 | 15.78 |
| 9 | Bolton | 141,331 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 14.86 |
| 10 | York | 153,717 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 14.31 |
Southampton tops the list with 49 adventurous activities and attractions, equaling 19.90 per 100,000 people. The port city sits on the country’s south coast, offering plenty of opportunities for people to get stuck into water sports and other exciting activities.
Placing second on the list is Norwich. Home to the Broads National Park, which offers a range of activities, from boating to arts and crafts, Norwich boasts sixteen walking trails and 18 parks, contributing to 40 adventurous activities and attractions in the city, equating to 18.76 per 100,000 people.
Rounding out the top three most active cities in the UK is Gloucester. With 28 varying activities, including the Ski and Snowboard Centre, which has a 255-metre main slope, Gloucester offers 18.66 attractions per 100,000 people and is one of the highest on our list.
With the UK soaring in temperatures, perhaps a day out on the water is one to add to your summer bucket list.
The best UK cities for adventure sports
| Rank | City | Population | Ski & Snowboard Areas | Water Sports | Total Adventure Sports | Adventure Sports per 100,000 People |
| 1 | Brighton | 290,395 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2.07 |
| 3 | Southampton | 246,201 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1.62 |
| 2 | Plymouth | 260,203 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1.92 |
| 4 | Peterborough | 163,379 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.22 |
| 5 | Belfast | 274,770 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1.09 |
| 6 | Edinburgh | 464,990 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1.08 |
| 7 | Glasgow | 591,620 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.85 |
| 8 | Cardiff | 447,287 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.67 |
| 9 | Gloucester | 150,053 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.67 |
| 10 | Swansea | 300,352 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.67 |
Brighton is known for its pier and beach, with plenty of fun activities and attractions that keep tourists returning yearly. With six water sports attractions, the city is the best in the UK for adventure sports.
Boasting both ski & snowboard areas and water sports attractions in Southampton, the city has plenty of variety, offering 1.62 adventure sports attractions per 100,000 people.
Alternatively, you can’t beat a day spent having a picnic in the park in summer, particularly if you’re looking to save some money during the holidays.
The UK cities with the highest number of parks
| Rank | City | Population | Parks | Parks per 100,000 people | Square Miles |
| 1 | York | 153,717 | 15 | 9.76 | 105 |
| 2 | Norwich | 213,166 | 18 | 8.44 | 39 |
| 3 | Ipswich | 178,835 | 15 | 8.39 | 15.22 |
| 4 | Plymouth | 260,203 | 21 | 8.07 | 30.82 |
| 5 | Cambridge | 158,434 | 11 | 6.94 | 15.71 |
| 6 | Southampton | 246,201 | 17 | 6.90 | 28.1 |
| 7 | Oxford | 171,380 | 11 | 6.42 | 17.6 |
| 8 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 192,382 | 12 | 6.24 | 44.4 |
| 9 | Aberdeen | 196,670 | 11 | 5.59 | 71.7 |
| 10 | Belfast | 274,770 | 15 | 5.46 | 51.16 |
Having featured in the overall top three, York is a great city to explore the outdoors and find a little adventure, but it is also one of the best places for accessibility to parks, boasting a total of 15.
While Norwich has more parks than York in total, when considering the city’s population, the 18 Norwich parks equate to 8.44 for every 100,000 people in the city.
Natalie Byrne, Content Marketing Manager at Blacks says: “The summer holidays can be stressful for many parents trying to amuse their children for six weeks without spending lots of money every single day.
“However, enjoying our country’s local parks, trails, sports complexes, and watersports activities will keep the whole family entertained and active. Getting outdoors is the best way to spend the holidays, allowing your children to release much-needed steam.
“Being outdoors is also incredibly beneficial to children’s health and wellbeing, allowing them to soak up vitamin D, have an expanded learning space, improve sleep at night and encourage movement – while also providing them an appreciation for nature.
“Sometimes just changing the routine by visiting a different park or city can make all the difference for a positive day out. We’re home to a vast selection of outdoor spaces and beauty spots in the UK; therefore, the summer holidays are a perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy nature together as a family.”
