The Cities Serving Up the Cheapest Meals and Pints in Britain
Whilst a far-flung trip might be the ideal holiday for some, the rising living costs mean people are more mindful of holiday expenses than ever before. The good news? If Brits know where to go, a UK staycation can deliver just as much culture, greenery, and adventure for a budget-friendly price.
Looking into various cost-related metrics such as meal, pint and travel prices, as well as cultural and recreational amenities like museums, theatres, and green spaces, SumUp has revealed the best cities in the UK for a low-cost staycation – with Derry taking the top spot.
The city performed well across all key factors, standing out in particular for its affordability. Derry boasts the lowest average meal cost at only £10 as well as one of the most affordable cups of coffee at £3.14, but that wasn’t all. Perhaps the most important finding for some, Derry also has the lowest average price of beer, with a pint setting punters back just £3.97, 21% lower than the national average.
Outside of costs, Derry also scored well when it came to cultural amenities, with 25 museums and 33 landmarks per 100,000 people. Popular attractions like The Museum of Free Derry and Peacemakers Museum offer visitors to learn more about the city’s storied history, while a walk around the city walls provides both fascinating insights into the past along as well as some great opportunities for holiday snaps.
Top 10 cities in the UK for a cheap meal and pint:
| Rank | City | Av. Meal Cost (£) | Av. Pint Cost (£) |
| 1 | Derry | 10 | 3.97 |
| 2 | Preston | 12 | 4 |
| 3 | Kingston upon Hull | 15 | 4 |
| 4 | Leicester | 15 | 4 |
| 5 | Coventry | 15 | 4 |
| 6 | Sheffield | 13 | 4.04 |
| 7 | Stock-on-Trent | 16 | 4.25 |
| 8 | Nottingham | 15 | 4.5 |
| 9 | Newport | 14 | 4.5 |
| 10 | Liverpool | 16 | 5 |
With a total score of 57.42, Preston is second on our list for cheap eats and pints. A city in the heart of Lancashire, Preston offers visitors a wide range of gardens and city trails to explore. It’s also a city which boasts diversity and longstanding cultural traditions, therefore why not plan your staycation around one of its annual events? Preston offers a cost-effective staycation, with the average price of a taxi journey setting you back just £8.40. Equally, an average inexpensive meal will cost you just £10 in Preston.
Kingston upon Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire is third, with a total score of 53.05. With a £4 for pint and a thriving arts scene, it’s no wonder it ranks second on our list. This port city boasts intriguing museums, a cobbled Old Town, and stunning architecture, such as Hull Minster which visitors flock to.
Several other locations in the top 10 also stood out for their individual strengths. Sheffield boasts the third cheapest city for a meal, whereas Coventry matches the top three with £4 print prices.
Corin Camenisch, Product Marketing Lead, at SumUp said “With an increased focus on domestic travel, as well as the cost-of-living crisis still being prevalent, we wanted to highlight the most cost-effective cities for a staycation in the UK. Not only does this encourage budget friendly travel, but it also encourages local spending and supports local businesses due to extra traffic and tourism.
While some of the cities in our report are popular hotspots among tourists, we hope to shed insight on budget-friendly locations that can also provide memorable experiences that are rich in culture without breaking the bank.”
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