The following is the list of cities and towns in England whose name begins with the letter B. Below, you will also find some quick facts and general information about each.
| City/Town | Region | County | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacup | North West | Lancashire | 14,000 |
| Banbury | South East | Oxfordshire | 48,000 |
| Barnard Castle | North East | County Durham | 5,000 |
| Barnet | London | Greater London | 389,000 |
| Barrow-in-Furness | North West | Cumbria | 56,000 |
| Basildon | East of England | Essex | 107,000 |
| Basingstoke | South East | Hampshire | 113,000 |
| Bath | South West | Somerset | 90,000 |
| Bedford | East of England | Bedfordshire | 174,000 |
| Beverley | Yorkshire and the Humber | East Riding of Yorkshire | 30,000 |
| Bicester | South East | Oxfordshire | 33,000 |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | West Midlands | 1,149,000 |
| Blackburn | North West | Lancashire | 121,000 |
| Blackpool | North West | Lancashire | 139,000 |
| Bolton | North West | Greater Manchester | 281,000 |
| Bournemouth | South West | Dorset | 194,000 |
| Bracknell | South East | Berkshire | 84,000 |
| Bradford | Yorkshire and the Humber | West Yorkshire | 536,000 |
| Brentwood | East of England | Essex | 54,000 |
| Bridgwater | South West | Somerset | 41,000 |
| Brighton | South East | East Sussex | 290,000 |
| Bristol | South West | Bristol | 467,000 |
| Bromley | London | Greater London | 332,000 |
| Burnley | North West | Lancashire | 83,000 |
| Bury | North West | Greater Manchester | 78,000 |
Bacup
Bacup is a small town in Lancashire, located in the Rossendale Valley. It has a rich industrial history, particularly in cotton and woolen textile manufacturing. The name is thought to come from the Old English words “bæc,” meaning “back” or “ridge,” and “hop,” meaning “valley.” The town is known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and annual Britannia Coconut Dancers festival.
Banbury
Banbury is a historic market town in Oxfordshire, known for the famous Banbury Cross, which is referenced in a popular nursery rhyme. The town’s name comes from “Banna,” an Old English personal name, and “burh,” meaning “fortified place.” Banbury is known for its role in the English Civil War and its production of Banbury cakes, a type of fruitcake.
Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle is a small market town in County Durham, named after the castle around which it developed. The castle was founded by Bernard de Balliol in the 12th century. The town is known for its antique shops and the Bowes Museum, which houses one of the most significant collections of European fine and decorative arts in the UK.
Barnet
Barnet is a large suburban area in Greater London. Historically, it was part of Hertfordshire before becoming part of Greater London in 1965. The town’s name means “a clearing in the woodland” in Old English. Barnet is known for its large green spaces and annual Barnet Fair, a traditional horse fair dating back to the 16th century.
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness is a town and seaport in Cumbria, known for its shipbuilding industry, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is derived from Old Norse “Barra,” meaning “island,” and “Furness” refers to the district in which the town is located. The town is famous for its shipyard, BAE Systems Submarines, which builds submarines for the Royal Navy.
Basildon
Basildon is a large town in Essex, established as a new town in 1949 to accommodate the overspill population from London. The name originates from the Old English “Beorhtel’s hill.” Basildon is known for its modernist architecture, town planning, and strong connection to London through its commuter population.
Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a large town in Hampshire, originally a market town. Its name means “Basa’s farmstead” in Old English. Basingstoke has experienced rapid growth since the 1960s, transforming into a significant commercial and retail hub. It is home to several business headquarters and the Festival Place shopping center.
Bath
Bath is a historic city in Somerset, known for its Roman-built baths and Georgian architecture. The city’s name comes from its Roman baths, which were built around natural hot springs. Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its well-preserved architecture, such as the Royal Crescent, and its role in the literary works of Jane Austen.
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, located on the River Great Ouse. The name is thought to derive from “Beda’s ford.” Bedford has a diverse cultural heritage, with a large Italian community. It is known for its riverside walks, parks, and historical buildings such as Bedford Castle Mound.
Beverley
Beverley is a historic market town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, known for Beverley Minster, a large Gothic church. The town’s name is derived from the Old English “beofer,” meaning “beaver,” and “leah,” meaning “clearing.” Beverley is famous for its annual Beverley Folk Festival and its Georgian and medieval architecture.
Bicester
Bicester is a rapidly growing town in Oxfordshire, known for Bicester Village, a large designer outlet shopping center. The town’s name originates from Old English “Beorna’s ceaster,” meaning “Beorna’s fort.” Bicester is an important hub for the surrounding rural area and has strong transportation links to London and Birmingham.
Birmingham
Birmingham is the second-largest city in England and a major metropolitan hub in the West Midlands. The name comes from “Beorma’s ham,” meaning “home of Beorma’s people.” Birmingham played a crucial role during the Industrial Revolution and is known for its rich cultural diversity, architecture, and as the birthplace of heavy metal music.
Blackburn
Blackburn is a large town in Lancashire, historically significant for its textile industry. The name is derived from “black burn,” meaning “dark stream” in Old English. Blackburn is known for its cathedral, Ewood Park stadium (home to Blackburn Rovers Football Club), and its pioneering role in the cotton industry.
Blackpool
Blackpool is a seaside resort town in Lancashire, famous for its iconic Blackpool Tower, beaches, and promenade. The town’s name comes from a “black pool” formed by a stream draining the local peat bog. Blackpool is known for its illuminations, Pleasure Beach amusement park, and its vibrant nightlife.
Bolton
Bolton is a large town in Greater Manchester with a rich industrial heritage, particularly in textile production. The name is derived from “bothl,” meaning “dwelling,” and “tun,” meaning “settlement.” Bolton is known for its historic town center, Bolton Wanderers Football Club, and its Victorian market.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a coastal resort town in Dorset, renowned for its beaches and Victorian architecture. The name comes from the Old English “Bourne,” meaning “stream,” and “mouth,” referring to its location at the mouth of the River Bourne. Bournemouth is a popular tourist destination and home to several universities.
Bracknell
Bracknell is a town in Berkshire, originally a small village that expanded significantly after being designated a new town in 1949. The name likely comes from “bracken,” a type of fern, and “hill.” Bracknell is known for its high-tech industry and proximity to large companies like Dell and Hewlett-Packard.
Bradford
Bradford is a large city in West Yorkshire, historically known for its wool industry during the Industrial Revolution. The name means “broad ford” in Old English. Bradford is famous for its multicultural community, historic mills, and the National Science and Media Museum. It is also a UNESCO City of Film.
Brentwood
Brentwood is a town in Essex, located within the London commuter belt. The name means “burnt wood,” referring to a clearing made in a forest. Brentwood is known for its connection to the entertainment industry and being home to several television stars. It has a lively town center and good transport links to London.
Bridgwater
Bridgwater is a market town in Somerset, historically a major port on the River Parrett. The name derives from “bridge” and the Old English word “wæter,” meaning “water.” Bridgwater is known for its annual Bridgwater Carnival, one of the largest illuminated processions in Europe.
Brighton
Brighton is a famous seaside resort town in East Sussex, known for its eclectic culture, nightlife, and the iconic Brighton Pier. The name comes from “Brighthelmstone,” meaning “Beorhthelm’s farmstead” in Old English. Brighton is a popular tourist destination, famous for its beach, the Royal Pavilion, and its vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
Bristol
Bristol is a major city and port in the South West of England, known for its maritime history. The name is derived from the Old English “Brycgstow,” meaning “place at the bridge.” Bristol is famous for its harborside, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and its role in the aerospace industry.
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in Greater London, historically part of Kent. The name means “broom meadow” in Old English. Bromley is known for its shopping district, leafy residential areas, and proximity to central London. It is a popular area for commuters.
Burnley
Burnley is a town in Lancashire, historically significant for its cotton and textile industries. The name comes from “burn” meaning “stream” and “lea” meaning “meadow.” Burnley is known for its industrial heritage, scenic countryside, and Burnley Football Club.
Bury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, known for its historic market and Black Pudding. The name comes from the Old English “byrig,” meaning “fortified place.” Bury is famous for its traditional market, the East Lancashire Railway, and the Bury Art Museum.
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