The UK’s pub capital has been revealed, and it’s a stunning region characterised by welcoming boozers and rolling hills. 

The pub sector has endured a challenging year, with numerous establishments confronting uncertain prospects. UK Hospitality has issued a stark warning that, without intervention, six venues will shut their doors daily throughout this year, amounting to over 2,000 closures.

This represents a dramatic increase from the 378 that ceased trading in 2025, as recorded by the Institute for Licensing. The British Beer and Pub Association has raised concerns that publicans will need to shift an additional 1.3 billion pints annually just to counterbalance escalating taxation.

Yet despite this rather bleak overall outlook, thousands of exceptional pubs continue to operate nationwide, with certain regions where the industry is, whilst perhaps not flourishing, at least holding steady in comparative terms.

Analysis conducted by the Express data team has revealed that drinkers in the Derbyshire Dales enjoy better access to pubs than residents anywhere else across England and Wales. This rural authority boasts 152 pubs and bars within its boundaries, based on our examination of official government statistics.

This translates to approximately 25 establishments for every 10,000 adult residents.

It represents the highest concentration for any local authority throughout England and Wales, setting aside two locations where exceptionally sparse populations distort the data – the City of London (188 pubs and bars, equating to 132 per 10,000 adults) and the Isles of Scilly (six pubs, equating to 29 per 10,000). Westminster boasts the second-highest concentration of pubs when measured against its adult population. The London borough’s 407 drinking establishments equate to 23 per 10,000 residents of legal drinking age.

Powys matches this figure with 23 per 10,000 adults across its 259 pubs.

Next comes Pembrokeshire with 21 per 10,000 adults, followed by four local authority areas each recording 18 pubs for every 10,000 adults – Westmorland and Furness, North Yorkshire, Gwynedd and Ceredigion.

Our interactive map allows you to explore the number of pubs per 10,000 adults across every council area nationwide.

When examining pub density by geographic area, London boroughs dominate the top 10. The City of London’s 188 pubs and bars translates to an impressive 169 per square mile (the area, famously dubbed “the Square Mile,” actually exceeds one square mile in size).

Westminster’s 407 establishments represent roughly 49 per square mile. Islington features 40 pubs per square mile, whilst Camden records 29, Hackney 22, and both Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham each have 20 per square mile.

Beyond the capital, Liverpool claims the highest pub density. The city’s 502 watering holes amount to nearly 12 per square mile, ranking 11th across England and Wales. Manchester’s 432 pubs equate to nearly 10 per square mile. Portsmouth’s 139 pubs amount to nine per square mile, as do Blackpool’s 114 pubs.

Norwich’s 127 pubs and Brighton’s 244 pubs both work out at eight per square mile, the same as Bristol’s 321.

Wales and England’s 25 pub capitals

1. Derbyshire Dales
2. Westminster
3. Powys
4. Pembrokeshire
5. North Yorkshire
6. Westmorland and Furness
7. Gwynedd
8. Ceredigion
9. Carmarthenshire
10. Staffordshire Moorlands
11. South Hams
12. Denbighshire
13. Monmouthshire
14. North Devon
15. Cotswold
16. East Lindsey
17. West Devon
18. High Peak
19. Malvern Hills
20. Herefordshire, County of
21. Shropshire
22. Isle of Anglesey
23. Calderdale
24. Great Yarmouth
25. Amber Valley

Jet2 passengers can take six items of luggage onboard flights this February half-term completely free of charge. Unlike some airlines, all Jet2 flights include a 10kg hand luggage allowance as standard, so passengers won’t be stung by any extra baggage fees, provided their bag is within the weight limit and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including wheels and handles. But passengers can take up to five extra items of luggage onboard flights as well – for no extra charge. This includes a small bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm that will fit underneath the seat in front of you, such as a handbag, laptop bag or something you bought in the airport before boarding.

Jet2 also allows passengers to take a collapsible pushchair, car seat and/or a travel cot for free, up to a weight of 10kg, which is great news for families heading abroad this half-term. These items must go into the hold but the airline will allow you to take pushchairs all the way to the plane steps or airbridge before boarding.

All of this, combined with a suitcase of up to 22kg, which must go into the hold, means Jet2 passengers can take up to six luggage items in total on flights without having to fork out any extra cash.

Jet2 says: “With all our Jet2holidays, every person on your booking gets a generous 22kg hold baggage and 10kg hand luggage included as standard (excluding infants). That means you can pack all those glitzy holiday outfits and bring plenty of quirky souvenirs home with you.

“Travelling with little ones in tow? To make things a little easier, you can bring along a collapsible pushchair, car seat and/or travel cot free of charge – up to a total weight of 10kg, per travelling infant or child.”

While infants don’t get their own checked bag allowance included, the airline will add an extra 10kg to the accompanying adult’s hold baggage allowance to accommodate for their belongings so families don’t have to worry about skimping on the packing.

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Jet2 adds: “You don’t get a separate bag for your infant under two, but an extra 10kg allowance for their things can be added to their accompanying adult’s 22kg hold bag, free of charge. This is applicable for each infant-and-adult pairing on the booking.

“Plus, a collapsible pushchair/buggy and/or a car seat and/or a travel cot can be carried in the hold free of charge, as long as the total weight of these items doesn’t exceed 10kg. Anything exceeding this will be charged for in line with our excess baggage policy, subject to space and availability.

“And for your convenience, you can take your collapsible pushchair/buggy all the way to the plane steps/air bridge, where we’ll put it in the hold and you can get it back at baggage reclaim.

“If you’re carrying more than one of these items, please let us know so we can advise our local agents in resort to make sure the transfer you’ve booked will accommodate them. On occasion, you may need to change to a private transfer at an extra cost.”

Most people in the UK are tired of the grey weather and are eager for winter to end so they can see blue skies again, but it turns out you do not need a passport to find a sunny destination to visit. Tiree is a small island off the west coast of Scotland, and its unique location means it enjoys more sunshine than anywhere else in Britain .The island is flat and does not have any large hills, instead has long stretches of white sandy beaches that go on for miles 

This beautiful island has all the charm of the Scottish Highlands with better weather, as it receives less rain than the mainland, and midges, a pest known for troubling summer visitors in Scotland, are also known not to be an issue. At Wild About Argyll they describe Tiree as a fantastic place to visit thanks to its “golden bays, surrounded by azure waters and bathed in glorious sunshine.”

They said: “Thanks to its location, Tiree has some of the highest levels of sunshine recorded anywhere in the British Isles. It also benefits from the influence of the Gulf Stream, which warms the surrounding waters.”

What is there to do on Tiree?

Tiree has a series of beaches where you can sit and relax, but for anyone more adventurous, the island is also known for its waterspouts. 

You can book surfing and kitesurfing lessons at a local family-owned business or even hire wetsuits, kayaks or bikes for anyone looking to do some exploring. 

There are often cows grazing on the machair that grows near the beach which is a unique sight, but you will also lots of incredible wildlife if you book a boat trip. 

It is common to see dolphins, seals, basking sharks, puffins and the island is known for having the UK’s largest Corncrake population for anyone that enjoys birdwatching. 

Anyone feeling brave can also book a horse ride where you can gallop on the beach, and the local equestrian centre also offers horse yoga which would be a fun experience. 

The main settlement on Tiree is Scarinish, a quiet village known for its whitewashed cottages and picturesque view of the Atlantic Ocean so you will make up to a breathtaking sights every morning. 

There is a whiskey distillery where you can take tours or even learn how to make your own, but the island is also famous for its Tyree gin with a tonic that is worth sampling. 

On Tiree, you can enjoy long days filled with sunshine but but the island remains enchanting at night as there no light pollution so the stars light up the sky. 

Visitors often camp on the beach to see the Milky Way, meteor showers and on rare occasions the northern lights. It is believed that the best time to visit Tiree is in early spring as it is when the skies are at their clearest for star gazing, but it will still look incredible in the summertime. 

However, if you do visit in the summer, then Tiree is also known for its music festival in July, that brings the whole community together where there will be live music, workshops and other family-friendly events to enjoy.