Say hello to Britain’s newest cities in 2022

We’re celebrating in style for Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and we’re inviting you to join us to mark the occasion. There is an abundance of things to celebrate throughout the year, whether you are a raving royalist or couldn’t give a flying corgi!

Here at Travelodge, we’re super-excited at the announcement of eight new cities across Britain and overseas territories. As well as the newly announced City of Culture 2025, which was awarded to Bradford!

So if you’re looking for a new place to explore, we’ve got you covered!


Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

East of Oxford lies the town of Milton Keynes, which was initially created in 1967 to relieve housing shortages and overcrowding in London. With a population of 171,000, this new city is well known for its hundreds of stunning public art displays, one of the UK’s largest shopping centres, and the starting place for The Open University. After applying for city status a few times over the years including in 2002 and 2012, it was finally granted on the fourth attempt due to being the “pinnacle of the post-war planning movement” and its fast-growing population.

Stay nearby


Wrexham, North Wales

Now Wales’ seventh city, Wrexham was established in 1864 and is home to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a famous Unesco World Heritage site and the highest canal aqueduct in the world. With a population of 61,000, Wrexham is famous for its football club, one of the oldest professional clubs in the world, and owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. In October, Wrexham became shortlisted as one of eight places across the UK to be deemed the next City of Culture in 2025, but the winner has since been announced as Bradford!

Stay nearby


Colchester, Essex

As the second town in Essex to be given city status this year, Colchester is the oldest recorded town in the UK. Just over a decade ago, the county of Essex did not have a single city, and now it will have three, including Chelmsford and Southend on Sea. The new city has many different calls to fame, including remains of the only Roman chariot-racing track in the UK, and the famous song Twinkle Twinkle was written there. This newfound status highlights the town’s strong royal and military links as well as its artistic and cultural offers.

Stay nearby


Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Originally a Roman settlement, the town of Doncaster in South Yorkshire dates over 2,000 years old. With a surrounding population of over 311,000, this new city has finally been successful in its fourth city status request. It’s well known for its railway heritage, being the home and place of construction for the famous Flying Scotsman and Mallard railway trains. The town was granted this status by the Queen for its fantastic display of culture and honourable educational institutes.

Stay nearby


Douglas, Isle of Man

The Isle of Man’s town of Douglas becoming a city means that the island will be the only crown dependency with a capital city. With a population of just over 27,000, the city’s Villa Marina will once again host the annual concerts by the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra, the Isle of Man Choral Society and the Manx Last Night of the Proms. The Queen herself is a patron of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which started originally in Douglas. Her Majesty awarded this town city status due to its rich naval history and civic pride. To stay overnight, hop on the direct ferry back to Lancaster!

Stay nearby


Bangor, Northern Ireland

The small seaside resort of Bangor in Northern Ireland is rich with naval heritage and was a key location for allied forces during WW2. With a population of just 61,000, the new city lies 10 miles east of Belfast, on the southern end of the Belfast Lough, the rocky shore of the North Channel. After many royal visits from the royal family and Her Majesty, as well as one with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1961, the town was awarded city status after displaying its royal association and cultural heritage.

Stay nearby


Dunfermline, Scotland

As the renowned birthplace of Prince Charles and the once capital of Scotland, the town of Dunfermline in Fife is to become the eighth Scottish city. Joining the likes of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, this town is located just north of Edinburgh. With a population of 58,000 and many iconic landmarks such as the Forth Bridge and the Dunfermline Abbey, the town is often referred to as the ancient capital of Scotland. The lucky soon-to-be city was chosen due to its unique community and distinct local identity.

Stay nearby


Hot off the press!
Bradford named as the UK city of culture 2025

It has just been announced that Bradford has won the competition to succeed Coventry as the UK’s City of Culture for 2025! 
Much of Bradford’s industrial heritage, dating from the 19th Century when it was a centre for wool and cotton manufacture, has been converted into cultural spaces the city is now famous for today. 
Once a textile mill, the Salts Mill now houses an art gallery and shopping centre. Another cultural hub is the Kala Sangam arts centre, which specialises in South Asian art. The city also hosts the annual Bradford literature festival, attended by over 70,000 people, and is the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.
Bradford’s culinary scene is a foodie’s delight too, boasting a melting pot of worldwide cuisine that celebrates the city’s cultural diversity. 
And if all that wasn’t enough to spark your interest in this fascinating city, Zayn Malik was born and raised here. Ok, just the One Direction fans, then!

Stay nearby