10 Towns in the UK Everyone is Quietly Abandoning

<h2>10 Towns in the UK Everyone is Quietly Abandoning</h2> What are some towns in the United Kingdom people are leaving? Have you ever driven through a British town and thought, “Where is everyone?” You’re not imagining it. Across the UK, once-bustling communities are slowly emptying out. Shops are shuttered, homes are for sale, and high streets feel eerily quiet. The reasons vary—from job losses to rising crime and changing lifestyles—but the result is the same: more and more people are quietly leaving. In this video, we’re counting down 10 UK towns everyone is quietly abandoning, exploring what’s behind the exodus—and what, if anything, still makes these places worth a second look. Ten. Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria Barrow was once a titan of British industry. It boomed in the 19th and early 20th centuries thanks to its shipbuilding and steelworks. But as those industries dwindled, so did the town’s fortunes. Today, Barrow faces high unemployment, an aging population, and a serious brain drain as younger residents move to cities like Manchester or Liverpool for better prospects. Public transport is limited, and the town’s isolated location at the edge of the Furness Peninsula doesn’t help. The high street has seen numerous closures, and property prices have dipped as demand falls. Despite these challenges, Barrow sits near the Lake District—offering access to one of the UK’s most stunning national parks. It’s a common example cited in discussions about UK Cities That Are Falling Apart, even though it’s technically a town. Nine. Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire Cumbernauld was meant to be a vision of post-war urban planning—a “new town” built to ease Glasgow’s overcrowding. But its futuristic promise hasn’t aged well. The town’s architecture has long been criticised, with the town centre once voted among the ugliest in the UK. The confusing layout and brutalist structures have only added to its unpopularity. While the population hasn’t dropped dramatically, many younger residents leave for Glasgow or Edinburgh. Job opportunities within Cumbernauld are limited, and public amenities have suffered from years of underfunding. Yet it’s not all doom and gloom—the town is surrounded by greenbelt land and benefits from good road and rail links across central Scotland. Cumbernauld joins other abandoned UK towns slowly losing their younger generation. Eight. Rhyl, Denbighshire Once a shining jewel of the Welsh coast, Rhyl has been battling decline for decades. From the 1950s through the 1970s, it thrived as a holiday destination. But the rise of budget airlines and package holidays abroad stripped Rhyl of its tourists—and with them, its economy. As tourism waned, crime crept in, and businesses closed. Rhyl became known less for its charm and more for its deprivation statistics. Families began relocating inland in search of safer communities and more stable jobs. Still, Rhyl isn’t without hope. The beach is long and sandy, the SeaQuarium remains a family favourite, and regeneration efforts are underway. But the road to revitalisation is long—and for many, it’s easier to leave than wait. Seven. Walsall, West Midlands Walsall was once a thriving part of the Black Country’s industrial heartland, known for leather goods and metalwork. But as factories closed and manual labour gave way to automation and outsourcing, Walsall was hit hard. High unemployment, struggling schools, and public service cuts have made it less appealing, especially for young families. The town centre tells the story: a once-bustling area now dotted with empty retail units and fast-food chains. Many residents commute to Birmingham or Wolverhampton, but few stay for the long term. Walsall still has some cultural gems, like the New Art Gallery and the canal network, but unless substantial investment arrives, the town risks becoming little more than a commuter suburb with fading identity. Credit to : Learning Canteen