Fears of a potential World War 3 have spiked, prompting questions about the safest places in the UK. Historian and author Dr David Swift has identified one Scottish region to avoid—the River Clyde—while a 2017 property firm list names 19 towns and cities considered safest in a worst-case scenario.
River Clyde: A Key Target
Dr Swift advised against being near the River Clyde because it hosts HMNB Clyde, the home of Britain's nuclear submarines armed with Trident missiles. The base sits on Gare Loch, which opens into the main channel of the River Clyde.
He previously stated: "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."
Preparedness and Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
The UK government has encouraged Brits to assemble a three-day survival kit, while the US Pentagon reportedly develops a "doomsday plan" called FORTRESS to keep military facilities operational if external assistance is cut off. Donald Trump's alleged plans to escalate the war in Iran have been branded "devastating" by insiders, and a UK Army chief warned Brits to "prepare" this month.
Dr Swift noted the UK's energy and internet infrastructure is vulnerable to sabotage, recommending off-grid living with independent energy supply. He added: "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."
List of Safest UK Locations
Online estate agency Emoov compiled a list of 19 towns and cities across the UK that would be away from immediate impact areas if major cities were hit. The 2017 list identified these as safest:
- Cornwall
- Weymouth
- Folkestone
- Dover
- Margate
- Clacton-on-Sea
- Felixstowe
- Brixworth
- Bideford
- Aberystwyth
- Skegness
- Isle of Anglesey
- Barrow in Furness
- Lancaster
- Whitby
- Carlisle
- Dumfries
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Inverness
The list reflects locations considered safer in the event of a conflict, though experts note the importance of independent energy and satellite broadband for resilience.
