Exclusive: UK's Top 25 Pub Capitals Ranked - See If Your Town Made the Cut
The Mirror's data team has meticulously analysed official government figures to determine which areas of the United Kingdom boast the highest concentration of pubs relative to their adult population. This exclusive ranking reveals the nation's true pub capitals, offering a fascinating insight into regional drinking cultures amidst a challenging period for the hospitality sector.
A Challenging Landscape for British Pubs
The broader context for this analysis is undeniably grim. The pub trade across the UK is facing significant headwinds, with many establishments struggling to remain viable. According to a stark warning from UK Hospitality, without substantial support, the industry could witness the closure of six venues every single day this year, amounting to a devastating total of over 2,000 pubs. This alarming projection far exceeds the 378 closures recorded in 2025, as reported by the Institute for Licensing.
Compounding the crisis, the British Beer and Pub Association has highlighted the immense pressure from rising taxes, estimating that pubs would need to sell an additional 1.3 billion pints of beer annually just to offset these increased financial burdens.
Finding the Pub Capitals: Derbyshire Dales Takes the Crown
Despite the sector's overall difficulties, pockets of resilience and relative prosperity exist. The Mirror's investigation has identified these areas by calculating the number of pubs per 10,000 adults in each local authority.
The clear leader is the picturesque Derbyshire Dales. This rural council area, renowned for its cosy inns and rolling hills, is home to 152 pubs and bars. This translates to an impressive ratio of 25 establishments for every 10,000 adult residents, the highest rate in England and Wales when excluding statistical outliers.
London's Dominance and Notable Exceptions
The ranking does acknowledge two unique areas where extremely low resident populations create skewed figures. The City of London, with its 188 pubs, has a staggering ratio of 132 per 10,000 adults, while the Isles of Scilly's six pubs equate to 29 per 10,000 adults.
Following the Derbyshire Dales, Westminster claims the next highest density by population. The London borough's 407 pubs work out to 23 for every 10,000 resident adults. Powys in Wales matches this ratio with its 259 pubs.
Pembrokeshire follows closely with 21 pubs per 10,000 adults. A cluster of four council areas—Westmorland and Furness, North Yorkshire, Gwynedd, and Ceredigion—all share a ratio of 18 pubs per 10,000 adults.
Geographic Density: A Different Perspective
When examining pub concentration by geographic size rather than population, London councils overwhelmingly dominate the top ten. The City of London's compact "Square Mile" area contains 188 pubs, equating to a remarkable 169 establishments per square mile.
Westminster follows with 49 pubs per square mile from its total of 407. Islington boasts 40 per square mile, while Camden has 29, Hackney 22, and both Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham have 20 pubs per square mile.
Outside the capital, Liverpool emerges as the leader in geographic density, with its 502 pubs working out to nearly 12 per square mile, ranking it 11th nationally. Manchester's 432 pubs equate to nearly 10 per square mile. Other notable cities include Portsmouth (9 per square mile), Blackpool (9 per square mile), Norwich (8 per square mile), Brighton (8 per square mile), and Bristol (8 per square mile).
The Full List: UK's Top 25 Pub Capitals by Population Density
The comprehensive ranking of the top 25 local authority areas for pub density per adult population is as follows:
- Derbyshire Dales
- Westminster
- Powys
- Pembrokeshire
- North Yorkshire
- Westmorland and Furness
- Gwynedd
- Ceredigion
- Carmarthenshire
- Staffordshire Moorlands
- South Hams
- Denbighshire
- Monmouthshire
- North Devon
- Cotswold
- East Lindsey
- West Devon
- High Peak
- Malvern Hills
- Herefordshire, County of
- Shropshire
- Isle of Anglesey
- Calderdale
- Great Yarmouth
- Amber Valley
This analysis provides a detailed snapshot of where Britain's beloved pub culture remains most concentrated, offering a beacon of community and tradition in a sector facing profound challenges.
