A new nationwide survey has revealed the UK’s top locations for community spirit and trustworthy neighbours.
The study, commissioned by McCarthy Stone, found that nearly half of Brits (46 per cent) would trust neighbours with a key to their home.
Overall nationwide, the levels of trust in communities is relatively high. This trustworthy nature is even higher in many UK cities – Southampton residents are deemed most trustworthy as nearly six in 10 (58 per cent) of its residents are happy for their neighbour to have access to their house.
In second place is Plymouth, with 56 per cent of residents in the coastal town trusting neighbours with a key, followed by Glasgow in third place (53 per cent).
See the top 10 UK cities who trust their neighbours with a key:
- Southampton, 58 per cent (of residents who trust their neighbour with a key)
- Plymouth, 56 per cent
- Glasgow, 53 per cent
- Belfast, 51 per cent
- Newcastle, 49 per cent
- Edinburgh, 49 per cent
- Nottingham, 49 per cent
- Liverpool, 47 per cent
- London, 47 per cent
- Norwich, 46 per cent
Elsewhere, Plymouth ranked top city for community spirit, with over half of neighbours (53 per cent) reporting a strong bond. Second place is Belfast with 51 per cent, followed closely by Edinburgh in third place (47 per cent).
Top 10 UK cities with strong community spirit:
- Plymouth, 53 per cent (of residents who say their city has a strong community spirit)
- Belfast, 51 per cent
- Edinburgh, 47 per cent
- Sheffield, 42 per cent
- Nottingham, 41 per cent
- Glasgow, 40 per cent
- Leeds, 39 per cent
- Manchester, 39 per cent
- Southampton, 37 per cent
- Cardiff, 36 per cent
Miruna Constantinescu, National Marketing Director at McCarthy Stone, comments: 'The results show that community spirit remains incredibly high, especially after the difficult year endured by all. Neighbours are literally some of the closest and longest relationships we can have in our lives, so it's important to build and maintain a healthy rapport because these acts of trust and togetherness make where we live so worthwhile.'
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New home gifts: 20 really good housewarming gift ideas
This is a bestseller for a reason. This lovely gift set from The White Company includes the Seychelles signature candle, room spray and diffuser for a home that will smell truly delightful. This scent combines notes of evocative bergamot, bright orange and fresh coconut, with a hint of green jasmine, warming amber and buttery vanilla. Divine!
If you're looking for a practical housewarming gift, you can't go wrong with Smeg. If your recipient has a penchant for sky blue shades (and getting hands-on in the kitchen), then snap up this fabulous blender set for endless uses.
This antique-style candle holder is a brilliant gift for the person who appreciates a good tablescape. They can use it to dress their dinner table or simply style on a sideboard. It's handmade and crafted from high quality chromed steel with a brass finish, which gives it that antique look. Don't forget to buy some taper candles so they can set the scene right away!
This stainless steel map location key holder displays the location of a new home, the address and chosen names. It's a great idea that not only pays homage to a new neighbourhood, but keeps keys safe and in one place!
Is it a vase? Is it a book? This rather beautiful ceramic vase, shaped like a hardback book, is perfect for displaying dried flowers. Decorated like a classic novel with pretty floral details, this would ideally look at home on a bookshelf or mantel.
Championing consciously designed interiors, Nkuku is one of our favourites for quality, crafted pieces that will stand the test of time. A perfect new home gift, this decanter made from recycled glass has a lovely etched detailing on the base. If you've got a generous budget, buy the set of four tumblers to match.
Peonies are fleeting beauties and this lovely coffee table book captures this beloved flower in abundance. Not just for show, inside you'll find photos of blooming peonies alongside fascinating botanical knowledge and an overview of the plant's cultural history by author Anja Klaffenbach. The book series includes succulents, roses, orchids and lilies, so the whole (rather colourful) set would make a lovely housewarming gift for green-fingered types.
This one's a kitchen must-have. Other than chopping up vegetables for dinner, this round acacia wood board is a rustic way to serve up canapés and other tasty treats. Carved by hand in India, it's shaped and chiselled using traditional woodworking techniques.
Buying a housewarming gift for a new plant parent? You can't go wrong with an unkillable bundle. The set includes the cast iron plant, robusta rubber plant and the snake plant.
Make every coffee break a bright one with this cup and saucer set, just like those used across all the Grind cafés. We love the rich red glossy glaze and contrasting white trim on the plate and inner cup. You can choose from espresso (80ml), flat white (180ml) and cappuccino (200ml).
Organisation is key when creating a streamlined home, so we think this Kate Spade letter tray would make the perfect gift. It can be positioned on a console table or desk to collate letters and ensure everything remains in one place.
Even for those who prefer a neutral, pared-back home, the kitchen is an ideal space to introduce colour. We love these vibrant salt and pepper grinders by Alessi (sold separately) that will perfectly transition from a kitchen worktop to a dining table.
Another kitchen essential, budding or keen cooks will no doubt appreciate the viral Always Pan. No meal is off-limits with this colourful duo.
A kitchen staple, you can never have too many tea towels in our opinion. We've added these to the list because any style-conscious lover will appreciate the beauty of William Morris prints!
These glazed pastel stacking heart bowls are simply beautiful. Painted with reactive glazes, each has a distinctive finish which makes it all the more unique.
For the person who loves a scented home, choose from three scents: Black Pomegranate (black), Sea Grass (navy) and Nag Champa (mustard yellow). The set includes a gold foiled presentation box with 15 handcrafted incense sticks.
Give the gift of a lovely new photo frame, perfect for a sideboard or home office. This one's finished with an on-trend scalloped-edge in a glossy mid-blue hue.
Practical gifts will always be appreciated. The perfect home greeting, this rectangular coconut fibre doormat emblazoned with the word 'welcome' is a must-have for a new abode.
This is a brilliant personalised new home gift for cheese lovers. Sure to take pride of place in the kitchen, it can be personalised with a name of your choosing. It's cleverly designed too, with a hidden compartment containing a set of cheese knives.
There are some items that will always have a place in the home, and a versatile bowl is one of them. This one is made from intricately woven black seagrass and finished with a criss cross decorative pattern.
