A stunning city has been named as the most relaxing place to visit in the UK – but it’s not the place you might expect.

New research analysed 40 cities using the number of spas, green spaces, massage and beauty salons per 5km – and an anxiety rating – to determine the most tranquil spots in the UK.

Norwich  came out with the top spot, getting a total “relaxation score” of 9.7 due to its abundance of places to chill out.

The city has 14 ‘Tripadvisor favourite’ spas and wellness centres and 16 nature and park locations. Norwich’s scenic parks, including Eaton Park and Bure Park, provide a quiet space, perfect for unwinding in nature.

It offers 19 beauty salons and the city’s  low anxiety rating of just 2.7 out of ten, one of the lowest UK anxiety scores, secures its place at the top of the list pulled together by Electric Tobacconist.

Apart from its wellness options, Norwich is full of things to do and see. The castle and cathedral are both Norman, dating back to the 10th century, and the art nouveau Royal Arcade was built in 1899.

It claims to be the most complete medieval city in the United Kingdom, with cobbled streets, ancient buildings, half-timbered houses and many historic lanes around the River Wensum. 

In May 2012, Norwich was designated England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, Norwich was voted one of the “Best Places To Live” in the UK by The Sunday Times.

One of the UK’s popular tourist destinations, it was voted by The Guardian in 2016 as the “happiest city to work in the UK” and in 2013 as one of the best small cities in the world by The Times Good University Guide.

One reviewer said on Tripadvisor: “Norwich is a lovely place, with some nice old buildings and lanes, and a huge market. It is far less touristy than York with lots of great pubs and history to get immersed in.”

Bangor follows in second place with a relaxation score of 9.2 out of ten. The Welsh city boasts 10 spas and wellness centres and 5 nature reserves and park.

The city’s proximity to Snowdonia National Park and Menai Strait makes it ideal for nature lovers, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy some outdoor comfort. 

Portsmouth ranks closely behind in third, with a total relaxation score of 8.9 out of ten. It has four spas, two parks and seven beauty salons.

The city’s coastal setting offers peaceful walks by the sea, which testifies to its exceptionally low anxiety rating of 2.6 out of ten, the lowest among all UK cities.

Ranking as the least relaxing city in the UK with a relaxation score of just 3.6 out of ten, Bradford struggles to offer a range of spaces for relaxation. The city’s urban nature boasts only 0.3 ‘Tripadvisor favourite’ spas and 0.3 nature and park locations.

With one of the highest anxiety ratings of 3.2 out of ten and a scarcity of wellness options, Bradford has been revealed as stress-inducing.