Brighton as a social city: the fifth most socially connected city in Britain

by Abbie Bacon

Brighton has been found as the fifth most socially connected city in Britain. 

This study was carried out by the membership club Boundless. Their aim is for civil and public service workers to get the most out of their free time through saving discounts on well known brands such as Apple and Liverpool Victoria, as well as unique volunteering experiences and travel events. 

Boundless member Audrey Willingham said: “For us, the best thing about Boundless membership is the social element. The local monthly lunches are good events and you have a good laugh – there’s normally a speaker there – it makes it a day out rather than doing boring chores at home.”

The study they conducted explored how strongly people felt connected to where they live. 

The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2,000 British residents, between 10th-12th February of 2026. Within this sample, seaside city places were found to be in the top five for community connection. This includes Brighton, in which 72.7% of residents said they felt connected to their local community.

Darren Milton at Boundless said: “It’s encouraging to see places like Brighton ranking so highly when it comes to community connection.”

Three of the top five cities with these social ties, Belfast, Plymouth and Southampton, were located by the sea, and ranked above the national average of 67.5%. 

London ranks just below Brighton at sixth. With its population reaching approximately 9.1 million people, 69.5% of people who participated in the survey said they felt connected to the local community.

This contrasts with the rest of Britain, where 32.5% of people across the country say they feel disconnected from their local communities. 

Overall, these results suggest that social connection intertwines strongly with that sense of coastal community many people in Brighton feel. Which makes sense, the ocean is right outside the door, a commute away. The beach is a natural and public space for everyone, acting as a focal point for families and friends to do physical activity, leisure and boost your mood. It’s a space where everyone can go to chat or walk or eat. 

Having the sea and the beach at your disposal in a city, can be a great way to ground yourself. By the coast, there is a place where the city ends and the ocean begins, replaced with rhythmic waves and an open and blue expanse.  

Brighton also attracts live events, an example being the famous Pride festival, which brings people in, and creates shared and collective experience based on the city’s values of acceptance and inclusion.

Darren Milton at Boundless said: “Strong communities are built through shared experiences and opportunities to come together, whether that’s through local activities, volunteering or spending time with people who live nearby.”

So the fact that Brighton has such a high rank in this study makes sense, with the seaside fostering interaction and experiences for all.