The 10 UK areas where people live the longest — and what they have in common

Research has identified the UK’s 10 ‘Blue Zones’ (Picture: Getty Images) Wokingham, Richmond, and Kensington and Chelsea have some of the longest life expectancies in the UK. One study, commissioned by The Telegraph, identifies the UK’s so-called ‘Blue Zones,’ which was a term first coined back in 2005 to describe places home to the most centenarians (AKA, people who reach or exceed 100). Featuring at the top of the list, which is in no particular order, is Wokingham in Berkshire, where women enjoy an average life expectancy of 85.5 years, and men a slightly lower 82.8. And it’s easy to see why the good people of Wokingham are so happy, healthy, and well, old. Instead of pavements, there are actually parks, too. Being outside London, there’s green space all around, at Dinton Pastures, Rook’s Nest Wood, and California Country Park, all of which come together to form part of the eight parks managed by the local council. Kensington and Chelsea also featured on the list, published earlier this year, where the average female life expectancy is 87.1. For men, it’s slightly lower, at 83.9. Honourable mentions were also given to Windsor, home of the Royals, Richmond, Totnes, Bearsden, and Monmouth. What links the UK’s ‘Blue Zones’ together? There’s an age-old saying that money can’t buy you happiness, but it seems it can buy you good health. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. According to Dr Mohammed Enayat, longevity pioneer, practising GP, and founder of HUM2N, many of these areas have a wealthy population. He previously told Metro: ‘While wealth often plays a role, it’s less about income itself and more about what it enables: access to better healthcare, lower stress, and the time and space to prioritise health. Wokingham in Berkshire featured on the list (Picture: Getty Images) ‘What stands out more clearly is environment and lifestyle. ‘These places are typically greener, more walkable, and socially connected, which naturally encourages daily movement, better mental health, and stronger community ties. ‘People aren’t necessarily living longer because they’re trying harder, but because their surroundings make healthier habits the default.’ He added that the longest-living populations stay away from extremes, and instead, tend to follow steady, sustainable lifestyle choices, like choosing whole foods, practising good sleep, and doing low-intensity exercises. Again, there’s a certain level of privilege that comes with all of this. Generally, studies agree that wealthier people tend to live longer. In 2020, research published in the Journal of Gerontology found those with money have between eight and nine years of ‘disability-free’ life after 50. There’s plenty of green space in Wokingham (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Dr Mohammed reminds us: ‘Many of the factors linked to longer life, such as wealth, access to high-quality healthcare, safe housing, and education, are not equally distributed and aren’t things individuals can quickly or easily change. ‘Longevity is shaped as much by environment and opportunity as it is by personal behaviour. While lifestyle choices absolutely matter, they sit within a wider system that can either support or limit health outcomes.’ How can people who aren’t wealthy try to achieve a long, healthy life? It’s true that only two things are certain in this life: death and taxes. There’s no way of knowing when our time is up; all we can do is try to enjoy the time we do have. That said, there are a few things Dr Mohammed suggested. Firstly, if you’re feeling morbidly conscious of your own mortality, he recommended prioritising small, consistent changes. ‘Build more movement into your day in a way that feels natural, whether that’s walking more or spending time outdoors. Prioritise your environment where possible. Even access to a local park or regular daylight can make a meaningful difference,’ he said. One expert says prioritising small movement is important (Picture: Getty Images) ‘Focus on eating well most of the time rather than perfectly, and protect your sleep as a non-negotiable.’ Keep an eye on your stress levels, too, as constant, unmanaged stress can hasten ageing. In Dr Mohammed’s view, ‘daily moments of calm,’ however small or brief, can make all the difference, while strong social connections are also ‘one of the most powerful predictors of a longer life.’ The 10 places in Britain where people live the longest Wokingham, Berkshire (average female life expectancy: 85.5 years, average male life expectancy: 82.8 years) Kensington and Chelsea, London (average female life expectancy: 87.1 years, average male life expectancy: 83.9 years) Windsor, Berkshire (average female life expectancy: 85.1 years, average male life expectancy: 81.3 years) Richmond, London (average female life expectancy: 86.3 years, average male life expectancy: 82.5 years) Totnes, Devon (average female life expectancy: 85.9 years, average male life expectancy: 82 years) Bearsden, Glasgow (average female life expectancy: 83.9 years, average male life expectancy: 80.3 years) Monmouth, Wales (average female life expectancy: 85.2 years, average male life expectancy: 80.7 years) Fleet, Hampshire (average female life expectancy: 85.5 years, average male life expectancy: 83.5 years) Lewes, East Sussex (average female life expectancy: 85.1 years, average male life expectancy: 80.9 years) Stroud, Gloucestershire (average female life expectancy: 84.4 years, average male life expectancy: 80.8 years). 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