Edinburgh has been crowned the healthiest city in the UK, according to a study by ZAVA. The capital’s wealth of green spaces and low pollution levels have contributed to its top spot, making it an ideal place for a healthy lifestyle.
With a staggering 1,765 parks scattered across the city – equivalent to 3.43 per 1,000 residents – Edinburgh boasts 75% more parks per capita than Bristol, which came second. Some of the city’s most renowned green spaces include Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Park, providing both locals and tourists with breathtaking natural scenery.
The city scored an impressive 8.49 out of 10 overall based on number of parks, gyms, walking trails and healthy stores. Having been named the best city in the world by Time Out magazine in 2022, over 49% of Edinburgh is green space, compared to just 23% in London.
Furthermore, Edinburgh is a hub for health-conscious living, with 0.98 health-focused stores per 1,000 people, 22% more than Glasgow. Despite having fewer gyms, the city’s extensive parkland and high density of health-related stores and businesses make it a wellness haven.
Each year, over two million visitors flock to the city, mingling with a population of over half a million residents. Known for its vibrant cultural scene that perfectly complements its rich history spanning over 900 years, Edinburgh is an excellent choice for a winter weekend getaway, offering plenty of opportunities to keep active while exploring its stunning outdoor spaces.
The data reveals that Bristol takes the second spot with a score of 8.36 out of 10, boasting 431 parks (0.89 per 1,000 people). Although this is significantly less than Edinburgh’s offering, Bristol makes up for it with 0.51 walking trails per 1,000 people, which is over 70% higher than London’s 0.14.
The city also has a thriving fitness culture, with 170 gyms providing ample opportunities for residents to stay fit and healthy. Glasgow comes in third with a score of 8.20 out of 10, standing out for its fitness facilities and green spaces.
With 295 gyms (0.46 per 1,000 people), Glasgow has 38% more gyms than Edinburgh (183) and 42% more than Bristol (170), making it the most fitness-friendly city in the top three. The city also offers 863 parks (1.36 per 1,000 people), 53% more than Bristol, providing plenty of outdoor space for residents to enjoy.
Swansea rounds off the list at 10th place with a score of 7.58, offering 88 parks (0.36 per 1,000 people). While this is 85% fewer than cities like Edinburgh (3.43 parks per 1,000 people), Swansea compensates with the highest score of 1.11 walking trails per 1,000 people on the list.