The Best UK Cities to Host a BBQ Revealed

Close up of BBQ with young adults in the background

Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just love a good sausage in a bun, a summer BBQ is one of life’s simple joys. But depending on where you live, hosting the perfect garden barbecue might be easier said than done.

We crunched the numbers to find out which UK cities are best set up for outdoor dining. We analysed 30 locations across the country, looking at:

The percentage of homes with private gardens
Average summer temperatures
Cost of food per person
Price of beer and wine

The result?

Bournemouth takes the crown as the UK’s best city for a BBQ, offering the perfect combo of warm weather, affordable grub, and garden-friendly housing.

If you’re wondering where to host your next garden get-together – or just curious how your city ranks – check out the full lowdown below.

Top 10 UK Cities for a BBQ

Rank	City	Score
1	Bournemouth	100.00
2	Southampton	94.43
3	Leicester	89.39
4	Stoke-on-Trent	89.00
5	Cardiff	85.13
6	Plymouth	83.49
7	Coventry	82.97
8	Bristol	82.33
9	Milton Keynes	81.55
10	Brighton	81.45

Best Cities for Garden Space

No garden, no grill – right? We looked at how many homes in each city come with private outdoor space. Stoke-on-Trent and Leicester came out on top, with more than 85% of homes listed on Rightmove including a garden.

That’s prime real estate for your BBQ setup – and a whole lot of potential invites!

Where’s the Best Value for BBQ Lovers?

Hosting a great garden BBQ doesn’t have to burn through your wallet. If you’re stocking up on burgers, buns and a few bottles, Bournemouth is your best bet for keeping food costs down – averaging just £6.20 per person.

Thirsty? Southampton offers the cheapest average wine and beer prices.

Not everywhere is quite as budget-friendly though – Edinburgh and Brighton were among the priciest cities to host a garden get-together. Maybe stick to lemonade if you’re pitching up here!

BBQ Hotspots with the Best Weather

You can have the grill and the gear – but if the weather’s not playing ball, it’s all for nothing.

Luckily for Bournemouth and Southampton, warm summer temperatures help seal their top spots overall. These sunshine cities offer more BBQ-ready days than most.

On the flip side, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh saw lower summer temperatures, nudging them down the table. But hey – a warming fire pit makes all the difference.

VonHaus Says...

Rebecca Smith, buyer at VonHaus, had this to say:

“BBQs are a beloved British tradition, and with summer just around the corner, our study shows where grill-lovers are best placed to enjoy al fresco cooking. Bournemouth came out top not just for its beautiful coastline, but because it ticks every box – sunshine, outdoor space, and great value.”

Planning a Summer BBQ?

No matter where you live – balmy Bournemouth or breezy Bradford – we’ve got your back. From gas and charcoal BBQs to utensils, parasols and garden furniture, our collection makes it easy to throw a summer get-together to remember.