Belfast ranked 31st in UK wellness study as fitness access lags behind smaller cities
Wellness isn’t just about what you do, it’s about where you live. Across the UK, more people are paying attention to how their surroundings shape their health, from access to gyms and sports clubs to green space and healthier food options. While big cities often look like they have everything on paper, everyday access can tell a very different story.
A new study by massage therapy provider Centred, ranks 60 UK cities based on how easy it is for residents to stay active and live well. Looking at fitness facilities, wellness amenities, food options and access to nature, the results point to a clear pattern. Smaller cities consistently come out on top, offering better access per person and a more balanced lifestyle, without the overcrowding that can water things down in larger urban areas.
In 31st place is Belfast, and it sits in a very different part of the table compared with the top-performing cities. It doesn’t struggle across every area, but access per person is generally lower, which keeps it outside the upper tier of the rankings.
One of its more positive areas is spa and wellness provision. Belfast ranks 31st overall, but in spas it performs relatively better at 1.54 per 10,000 people, placing it mid-table compared with many other cities in the study. Swimming pools also hold up reasonably at 1.22 per 10,000 people, ranking 15th, which suggests some decent baseline access for general activity.
Gyms are more limited at 1.19 per 10,000 people, ranking 31st, while athletics clubs sit at 0.38, placing it 38th. That points to lower overall density for structured fitness compared with higher-ranked cities like Armagh or Chichester, where access is far more concentrated.
Cycling and tennis are also more modest. Cycling clubs sit at 0.35 per 10,000 people, ranking 34th, while tennis clubs come in at 0.29, placing 36th. Healthy restaurants are slightly stronger at 0.84 per 10,000 people, ranking 21st, which gives it a bit more balance on the lifestyle side than on the fitness side.
Access to green space sits at 96, placing it 31st, so outdoor access is fairly average rather than a standout feature. It adds some balance, but not enough to lift the city into the upper tier.
Compared with the rest of the UK, Belfast feels more stretched than smaller top-performing cities. Where places like Stirling or Lancaster manage a more even spread across categories, Belfast’s figures are generally lower across most fitness and activity measures, which explains its mid-to-lower table position despite some stronger individual pockets like spas and swimming pools.
List of the best UK cities for wellness:
Rank City Total Score
1 Armagh 63.63
2 Chichester 57.04
3 Durham 54.81
4 Winchester 51.87
5 Bath 47.71
6 Lancaster 41.36
7 Newry 40.27
8 Stirling 39.53
9 Chester 37.67
10 Cambridge 37.26
11 Oxford 35.76
12 Aberdeen 32.62
13 St Albans 32.40
14 Perth 31.95
15 Hereford 30.22
16 York 29.27
17 Exeter 28.73
18 Worcester 27.59
19 Edinburgh 27.29
20 Lincoln 26.06