London Borough England’s Most Peaceful Places

London isn’t usually thought of as a calm or tranquil city, but new research suggests it offers more opportunities for peace and relaxation than many might expect. A recent study by property firm Sell House Fast found that one London borough ranks among the top five most peaceful places to live in England.

To identify the country’s most relaxing areas, the study assessed factors such as noise complaints, air quality, access to green spaces, and light pollution. Only one London borough made it into the top ten, with most other high-ranking locations spread across the Midlands, northern England, and the southwest.

The findings show that Bromley is London’s most relaxed borough. The area recorded just four noise complaints per 1,000 residents, along with low light pollution, no sewage treatment plants, and relatively low greenhouse gas emissions.

Bromley achieved a sensory disturbance score of 2.72 out of 10, placing it fifth nationally. However, the margins were slim — Solihull, which topped the list, scored 2.28, while Wiltshire came second with 2.31.

Despite similar overall scores, Solihull and Wiltshire performed significantly better in terms of air quality, and many of the top-ranked areas surpassed Bromley on greenhouse gas emissions. This suggests that London still struggles with pollution challenges.

Interestingly, Richmond-upon-Thames, recently named the second happiest place in the UK, did not appear in the top ten. No other London boroughs made the list either, though Wokingham, a commuter town near the capital, secured seventh place.

England’s Most Relaxing Places to Live

According to Sell House Fast, the top ten most peaceful areas are:

1. Solihull, Birmingham

2. Wiltshire

3. Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

4. South Gloucestershire

5. Bromley, London

6. St Helens, Merseyside

7. Wokingham, Berkshire

8. Shropshire

9. Wigan, Greater Manchester

10. Cheshire West and Chester