NoiseCheck.uk

Noisiest Places in the UK

The 50 noisiest postcode districts in the UK, ranked by overall environmental noise level. Airport zones, major motorway junctions and dense city centres feature prominently.

# Postcode Town Primary Source dB Rating
1 CM24 Stansted Aircraft 78 dB Very Noisy
2 BS48 Bristol Aircraft 76 dB Very Noisy
3 B26 Birmingham Aircraft 75 dB Very Noisy
4 LU2 Luton Aircraft 74 dB Very Noisy
5 DE1 Derby Road Traffic 72 dB Very Noisy
6 NG1 Nottingham Road Traffic 72 dB Very Noisy
7 RH6 Horley Aircraft 72 dB Very Noisy
8 LS1 Leeds Road Traffic 71 dB Very Noisy
9 M1 Manchester Road Traffic 70 dB Very Noisy
10 SE1 London Road Traffic 70 dB Very Noisy
11 CF10 Cardiff Road Traffic 69 dB Noisy
12 LS2 Leeds Road Traffic 69 dB Noisy
13 B92 Solihull Aircraft 68 dB Noisy
14 BS1 Bristol Road Traffic 68 dB Noisy
15 CV1 Coventry Road Traffic 68 dB Noisy
16 M2 Manchester Road Traffic 68 dB Noisy
17 SN4 Swindon Road Traffic 68 dB Noisy
18 W2 London Road Traffic 68 dB Noisy
19 BS10 Bristol Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
20 CF11 Cardiff Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
21 CF14 Cardiff Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
22 DN1 Doncaster Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
23 E1 London Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
24 EN10 Broxbourne Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
25 SA4 Swansea Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
26 TW2 Twickenham Aircraft 67 dB Noisy
27 UB8 Uxbridge Aircraft 67 dB Noisy
28 UB9 Uxbridge Aircraft 67 dB Noisy
29 WD17 Watford Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
30 WD18 Watford Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
31 WD19 Watford Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
32 WD23 Bushey Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
33 WD24 Watford Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
34 WD25 Watford Road Traffic 67 dB Noisy
35 B1 Birmingham Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
36 B33 Birmingham Aircraft 66 dB Noisy
37 B34 Birmingham Aircraft 66 dB Noisy
38 BS15 Bristol Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
39 BS2 Bristol Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
40 CF24 Cardiff Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
41 L1 Liverpool Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
42 LU1 Luton Aircraft 66 dB Noisy
43 LU3 Luton Aircraft 66 dB Noisy
44 LU4 Luton Aircraft 66 dB Noisy
45 M3 Salford Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
46 M4 Manchester Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
47 NE29 North Shields Industrial 66 dB Noisy
48 NP18 Newport Road Traffic 66 dB Noisy
49 RM18 Tilbury Industrial 66 dB Noisy
50 TS6 Middlesbrough Industrial 66 dB Noisy

Living in a Noisy Area

If your postcode is on this list, there are practical steps you can take to reduce noise exposure. Our soundproofing guide covers windows, walls, floors and doors with product recommendations and cost estimates.

The WHO recommends that daytime outdoor noise should not exceed 55 dB. Many of the areas on this list significantly exceed this threshold, which has been linked to increased cardiovascular risk, sleep disruption, and reduced quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the noisiest place in the UK?

In our data, the noisiest postcode district in the UK is CM24 (Stansted), with an average environmental noise level of 78 dB. The primary source there is aircraft noise, and the district sits well above the UK average of 53 dB.

Why are these places so noisy?

The top 50 is dominated by three patterns: districts under airport approach paths, districts alongside major motorway junctions, and dense city centres where road traffic runs through the day and night. The primary source column in the table shows which applies to each district.

Is it bad to live somewhere on this list?

The WHO recommends daytime outdoor noise below 55 dB, and many districts on this list exceed that. Sustained high noise exposure has been linked to sleep disruption and increased cardiovascular risk, but the impact at a specific address depends on distance from the source, glazing and orientation. Soundproofing can make a substantial difference.

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