National Book Month: Which UK cities appear the most in literature?

From the bustling streets of London to Edinburgh’s gothic charm, UK cities have long served as rich canvases for countless stories, providing settings that have shaped the works of great writers.

However, which cities are most favoured by authors when it comes to setting the scene?

Eager to reveal this, the experts at Aura Print scoured the Google Books archive, analysing 25 million works to reveal the 31 most written-about UK cities from 1920 to 2019, to highlight the key locations that have captured literary imagination over the past century.

20 most popular UK cities in books revealed:

For the complete data of all 31 UK cities analysed, please click here.

Unsurprisingly, London takes the crown for the most popular British city in literature. The capital holds an outstanding 286,675,501 mentions, which is a staggering figure, over five times higher than any other city. In the words of Virginia Woolfe, the British capital gives ‘a play and a story and a poem, without any trouble’, and has set the scene for masses of novels over the past hundred years.

London book recommendations: A Tale of Two Cities, Sherlock Holmes, The House by the Thames

Oxbridge rivalry continues into the world of literature, with Cambridge (52,028,629 mentions) slightly edging out Oxford (51,723,380 mentions) for second spot. From punters on canals, to winding cobblestone streets, Cambridge is a whimsical setting for authors, whereas Oxford’s mediaeval nuance gives it a sound backdrop for the likes of crime and mystery.

Cambridge book recommendations: The Longest Journey, Death of an Expert Witness, The Versions of Us

Oxford book recommendations: Brideshead Revisited, The Last Enchantments, His Dark Materials

Manchester ranks fourth with an impressive 23,578,466 mentions in books over the past century, drawing 58% more literary attention than its northern powerhouse rival, Liverpool in ninth place (15,034,699 mentions). Recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature and home to the world’s first public library, Manchester’s rich industrial history, hidden quarters, and bold revolutionary spirit have made it a fountain of inspiration for Gothic and horror writers.

Manchester book recommendations: Mary Barton, Vurt, Sirens

Rounding off the top five most written about UK cities is Birmingham. Amassing a respectable 22,321,473 references in books, Birmingham has entranced novelists for decades, boasting a 74% greater share of literary attention than neighbouring city, Worcester in tenth (11,808,009 mentions).

Birmingham book recommendations: The Trick to Time, The Rotters’ Club, What Was Lost