New data has crowned South West England the best UK area for a blissful night’s sleep, with only 2.70 noise complaints per 1,000 people according to the latest CIEH Noise Survey.
Bedroom furnishings experts Bed Kingdom gathered data from the latest CIEH Noise Surveys for England and Wales, DAERA Noise Complaint Statistics for Northern Ireland and Noise Nuisance to find the total number of noise complaints per 1,000 residents in UK areas with available data.
South West England takes the crown for the best UK area for a peaceful night’s sleep, with only 2.70 noise complaints per 1,000 people. North Somerset received the highest number of noise complaints in the region, with 10 complaints per 1,000 people. The region is home to many of the UK’s most popular tourist hotspots, including The English Riviera, Cornwall and Devon.
In second is West Northern Ireland, with 2.95 complaints per 1,000 residents. The region is known for its expansive rural areas with landmarks such as the Sperrin Mountains, the Ulster American Folk Park, Lough Erne and the Marble Arch Caves. Fermanagh & Omagh is the quietest district, with 2.41 complaints per 1,000.
Third in the ranking is North Wales, with 3.18 complaints per 1,000 people. North Wales is home to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) with its highest peak, Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). The region also features picturesque coastlines, like those on the Llyn Peninsula and one of the UK’s top holiday spots, Anglesey, which has the lowest number of noise complaints in North Wales, at 1.00 per 1,000.
Taking the fourth spot is South Northern Ireland, with 3.21 complaints per 1,000 people. Rolling hills, lush farmland and serene lakes make up much of the region, with Slieve Gullion Forest Park and Lough Neagh: the largest lake in the British Isles. Newry and Mourne received the lowest number of complaints in the region, at 2.14 complaints per 1,000.
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Number of noise complaints per 1k population in UK regions |
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Rank |
Region |
Number of complaints per 1k population |
|
1 |
South West England |
2.70 |
|
2 |
West Northern Ireland |
2.95 |
|
3 |
North Wales |
3.18 |
|
4 |
South Northern Ireland |
3.21 |
|
5 |
Mid Wales |
3.25 |
|
6 |
North West England |
3.40 |
|
7 |
East Midlands |
4.30 |
|
8 |
North Northern Ireland |
4.42 |
|
9 |
South East England |
4.60 |
|
10 |
West Midlands |
4.70 |
Mid Wales offers the fifth best night’s sleep in the UK, with 3.25 noise complaints per 1,000 residents. Known as the green heart of Wales, the region offers pure seas, vibrant harbours and secluded coves of the Ceredigion coastline. And it is Ceredigion that is the quietest area in the region, with 3.2 complaints per 1,000.
Taking sixth place is North West England, with 3.40 noise complaints per 1,000 people. The Cumbrian area Barrow-in-Furness receives the highest number of noise complaints, with 9.5 complaints per 1,000. The North West boasts urban hotspots, such as Manchester and Liverpool, and tranquil countryside, including the UK’s most visited national park: The Lake District.
The East Midlands places seventh, with 4.30 noise complaints per 1,000 residents, and the north of Northern Ireland is in eighth, with 4.42 noise complaints per 1,000 people. The regions’ loudest areas are Hinckley and Bosworth, with 14.90 complaints per 1,000, and Antrim and Newtownabbey, with 5.63 complaints per 1,000.
Rounding out the top ten are the South East England in ninth place, with 4.60 complaints per 1,000 residents, and the West Midlands, with 4.70 complaints per 1,000 residents. Hastings was complained about 12 times per 1,000 people, whereas Birmingham received the West Midlands’ tenth lowest number of complaints, at 4.0 complaints per 1,000.
Ashley Hainsworth from Bed Kingdom commented on the findings:
“Noise complaints often highlight the crucial link between excessive noise and disrupted sleep. Consistent exposure to noise, especially at night, can significantly impair sleep quality, leading to a range of health issues, including stress, fatigue, and decreased cognitive function.
“Addressing noise pollution is essential for promoting healthier, more restful environments where individuals can achieve the uninterrupted sleep necessary for overall well-being.
“London and other major cities frequently report higher insomnia, with urban and densely populated areas often experiencing higher levels of noise pollution, stress, and other lifestyle factors which contribute to sleep disturbances.”
