19 Safest UK Places to Be If WW3 Erupts, One Spot to Avoid

Fears about the potential outbreak of World War 3 have surged once more, prompting questions about the safest locations in the UK should conflict erupt. The UK government has urged Britons to prepare a three-day survival kit, while the US Pentagon is reportedly developing a "doomsday plan" called FORTRESS that could keep US military installations operational if external support is severed. Donald Trump's reported intentions to intensify conflict in Iran have also been described as "devastating" by sources, and a UK Army chief cautioned this month that Brits should "prepare".

Historian Warns Against the River Clyde

Historian and author Dr David Swift has offered his assessment on one area in Scotland that individuals should avoid should World War 3 break out – the River Clyde. The rationale for this was the presence of HMNB Clyde, the base for Britain's nuclear submarines equipped with Trident missiles, located on Gare Loch, which connects to the principal channel of the River Clyde.

David told us previously: "You also wouldn't want to be near the River Clyde as that's where the UK Trident submarines are based. Ideally you'd want to be somewhere in the countryside, far from major cities."

"The UK's energy and internet infrastructure is very vulnerable to sabotage, so it would be good to live somewhere off grid with an independent energy supply."

Key Infrastructure and Safety Considerations

Dr Swift also highlighted that access to broadband would be crucial in the event of conflict, adding: "Two-thirds of homes in Northern Ireland, for example, use oil heaters to provide their heat and energy, and so don't rely on mains gas. You would also want to have access to satellite broadband, which is available mostly in rural areas."

Nevertheless, there are numerous locations that could prove to be safe havens. Property firm Emoov compiled a list of 19 towns and cities across the UK that would be situated away from the immediate blast zones should certain major UK cities come under attack.

The 19 Safest Areas Identified

When the list was originally drawn up in 2017, these areas were regarded as the most secure places to be in the event of a worst-case scenario. The UK's safest areas identified in case of WW3 are: