Where are the best places to live without a car in the UK?
Living without using a car can have many benefits but living in an area that allows you to get around easily is essential!
Whether you can’t drive, want to reduce your carbon footprint, or can’t stomach the rising price of fuel, we have a solution for you.
Regardless of your reasons for not wanting to use a car, we are here to help!
We hope to provide you with a choice of locations that have extensive public transport links, meaning a car is not necessary.
We have also included some locations that offer excellent walking and biking routes, making driving unwarranted.
Here are the top 6 best places to live without a car in the UK!
London
Living in London is an excellent choice for those looking for the best places to live without a car in the UK.
The capital city is renowned for its traffic which would already put a lot of drivers off navigating the busier areas.
Furthermore, the abundance of transport links in London makes it somewhat unnecessary to own a car.
The choice is truly endless for locals.
Buses, trams, taxis, e-scooters, Santander bikes, National Rail, the DLR, and the Underground (including the recently opened Elizabeth Line) are all available!
In addition, walking around London is usually easy.
In this case, you can choose one of the many fantastic green spaces the city has to offer, including some of the finest public parks in the world.
There are many other walking routes in the City, whether along the Thames, canals, or down narrow backstreets.
London’s congestion charge and Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which aim to reduce traffic and pollution, can also make driving very expensive.
Cycling and highways are also abundant in the capital, but safety still needs to be improved.
In a city with so many excellent transport connections, and much of it easy to navigate on foot, a may not be necessary!
Clearly, London is worthy of inclusion on our list of the best places to live without a car in the UK.
Reading
Another great location to consider on our list of the best places to live without a car in the UK is Reading.
In addition to its annual music festival and reputation as a tech and innovation hub, the town is a great destination for those who don’t own or wish to use a car.
As well as pedestrianized areas in the town center, the Thames and Kennett & Avon canal provide excellent opportunities for walking, biking, and running.
Getting around Reading and beyond is made easy thanks to Reading’s extensive bus network.
Its rail station is also a key commuter hub outside of London.
The area is the gateway to the West Midlands, Wales, and parts of the North and South West.
Trains to London Paddington take just 25 minutes, so there are great transport links into the capital.
The new Elizabeth Line western terminus is also located in the town, solidifying its status as a transport hub.
There is no need for a car to easily get around the town and its suburbs.
Clearly, Reading is a worthy inclusion to our list of the best places to live without a car in the UK!
Edinburgh
Another great addition to our list of best places to live without a car in the UK has to be Edinburgh.
The Scottish capital is one of the prettiest, most historical, and pedestrian-friendly cities in the UK.
It doesn’t take long to get from one part of the city to another on foot.
In fact, you can get around the whole city by just walking!
There are also two railway stations in Edinburgh.
Both Haymarket and Waverley are well connected to the rest of Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom.
Other forms of public transport also eliminate the need for a car.
Buses are also readily available in all parts of the city and suburbs, with competitively priced tickets.
Edinburgh has also introduced trams to its arsenal of transport options.
A 15-stop line connects York Place in New Town with Edinburgh Airport.
Until September 2021, Edinburgh had a cycle hire scheme similar to the Santander bikes found in London.
In spite of this, there are many places in the city where you can rent bikes, and there are many convenient cycling routes that connect the city.
Living in Edinburgh offers locals a range of cheap and convenient alternatives to driving.
All of this ensures that Scotland’s capital is one of the best places to live without a car in the UK!
Wallasey
Living in Wallasey offers locals a host of transport links, earning it a place on our list of the best places to live without a car in the UK.
The Beatles were born and raised in Wallasey, a small town on the Wirral in Merseyside.
The Wallasey port was also the first in the world to operate hovercraft in the 1960s.
Despite this fame, the area also does an excellent job at eliminating the need for a car!
The city is also blessed with excellent walking and biking opportunities, making cars an unnecessary luxury.
There are several railway stations in the area, allowing easy access into Liverpool.
In addition, it’s one of the best cities in the UK for walkers.
Several cycling trails are located here, ensuring locals can easily get around without a car.
There is a very good bus network in Wallasey as well.
Locals can easily navigate the area at a very low cost and without the use of a car.
Whilst a smaller location, Wallasey certainly deserves its place amongst the best places to live in the UK without a car!
Southend-on-Sea
Next up on our list of the best places to live without a car in the UK is Southend-on-Sea.
The town which is famous as the home of the world’s longest pleasure pier, has long been a popular choice with those looking to relocate from the hectic lifestyle of the UK’s metropolitan cities.
In this popular seaside town, you can enjoy a bit of coastal living whilst still having good transport links to London.
Among the best places to live in the UK without a car, the Essex town was ranked third in a 2021 study based on ONS data.
In the study, it was also highlighted as the leading place for cyclists outside of London.
Additionally, Southend-on-Sea is an easy place to walk around.
There are many parks in the city that provide lots of green space.
The area also offers a variety of excellent coastal walks.
Several National Rail stations serve the town and its surroundings.
Great Anglia and C2C provide quick connections into London.
A great bus network is also available in the area, meaning a car is not necessary.
Southend-on-Sea is clearly another great addition to our list of the best places to live without a car in the UK!
Newcastle
With excellent connections across the region, Newcastle is amongst the best places to live without a car in the UK.
These links extend into Scotland as well as England.
In terms of connectivity, Newcastle is a desirable place to live.
There are direct trains from Newcastle Station to Edinburgh, London King’s Cross, Plymouth, Reading, and Southampton.
Living in Newcastle provides you with easy access to all parts of the country by rail.
It takes three hours to travel from Newcastle to London, and about 90 minutes to travel to Edinburgh (also on our list).
Newcastle’s Metro also provides an excellent local service.
The Metro makes travelling around the city a breeze.
Living in Newcastle also ensures locals are well connected to various local A roads.
Local buses and walking paths also ensure the city is a great place to live without a car!
Newcastle also has its own airport.
Newcastle Airport is the largest airport in the northeast, connecting residents with 80 different destinations.
You will be well connected if you live in Newcastle without a car!
