When we think about ghost towns, many of us picture abandoned Western towns in the US—dusty streets, boarded-up shops, and empty houses.
But what’s surprising is that the UK is quietly facing a similar problem right here at home.
Across Britain, towns and villages are slowly slipping into decline, with empty homes and neglected spaces becoming all too common.
This isn’t just a sad sight for locals or visitors; it’s an alarming issue considering how desperately many people are struggling to find affordable housing.
Empty Homes Amid a Housing Crisis
You’d expect that with so many people unable to buy their own homes, get council housing, or even find a place to rent, empty houses would be rare.
But according to property experts, the reality is shocking.
Harry Fenner, the chief of Navana Property Group, points out that there are more than 250,000 homes sitting empty in England alone.
That’s an incredible figure, especially when you think about the long waiting lists for social housing and the growing homelessness crisis.
Jack Malnick, who runs Sell House Fast, echoes these concerns.
He finds it “staggering” and “deeply frustrating” that so many homes are unused, especially as rents soar and affordable options disappear.
This huge amount of unused housing isn’t just a waste—it’s a sign that our housing system isn’t working properly.
Wealthy Areas Aren’t Immune to Ghost Towns
Interestingly, these ghost town vibes aren’t only found in rundown neighborhoods.
Some of the most expensive areas, like Kensington, Chelsea, and Westminster in London, also suffer from high numbers of empty homes.
In these places, many properties are owned by wealthy individuals who use them as investments or second homes, rather than places to live.
That means streets that should be vibrant with life often feel deserted for large parts of the year.
This trend also extends to picturesque rural and coastal areas.
When second homes and holiday lets dominate local housing markets, prices skyrocket, pushing out local residents who can’t afford the inflated costs.
Jack Malnick highlights places like St Ives and parts of Devon and Northumberland where house prices have surged far beyond what local wages can support.
The Human Cost Behind Empty Streets
The empty houses and boarded-up shops aren’t just buildings—they represent communities that are breaking apart.
Daniel Mould from Tenant Angels Ltd explains how rent hikes, unsafe housing conditions, and illegal evictions are forcing people out, not just in big cities but across entire regions. The housing crisis leaves scars far beyond the buildings themselves.
A Closer Look at Britain’s Ghost Towns
To better understand this growing problem, we took a deep dive into the UK’s towns and cities where population decline and empty properties are hitting hardest.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the places feeling the impact most strongly:
Liverpool, Merseyside
Liverpool has one of the highest numbers of empty homes in the UK, with over 11,000 properties standing unused.
Parts of the city like Toxteth and Seaforth bear the marks of economic decline, with abandoned Victorian houses and derelict buildings still waiting for regeneration.
Kensington and Chelsea, London
Despite their prestigious reputations, these areas have many homes lying empty as investors buy properties for profit, not living.
The result is streets that look more like ghost towns than thriving communities.
Westminster, London
Westminster’s population has dropped by thousands in the past decade.
Some neighborhoods, like Chesterfield Hill, have over half their homes empty, with mansions often owned by millionaires who rarely live there.
Gwynedd, Wales
This scenic Welsh region has the highest rate of empty homes in the UK, with around 5,300 abandoned properties per 100,000 residents.
Tourism’s seasonality and low local wages mean many houses remain unused, creating a cycle of decline.
Coventry, West Midlands
Coventry’s image has suffered over decades, with a soaring number of boarded-up shops and rising crime rates.
The once-thriving city center now feels unsafe and deserted, with many residents desperate to leave.
Harlow, Essex
Built as a post-war new town, Harlow struggles with empty and trashed shops that drag down the area’s reputation, regularly appearing in lists of the UK’s least desirable places to live.
Stretford, Greater Manchester
Once a close-knit neighborhood, parts of Stretford are now abandoned due to damaged housing and delayed redevelopment plans.
This leaves derelict properties vulnerable to vandalism and decay.
Blackpool, Lancashire
Known for its tourist attractions, parts of Blackpool, especially South Shore, face abandonment outside the busy summer months.
Many houses are owned by investors focusing on short-term lets, pricing out permanent residents.
Swindon, Wiltshire
With shops closing and public spaces feeling unsafe at night, Swindon’s town center has a hollowed-out feel.
The closure of major stores and entertainment venues has hit the community hard.
Horden, County Durham
This former mining town has struggled since its colliery shut in the 1980s.
High unemployment, derelict housing, and crime contribute to a sense of deep decline in what was once a thriving area.
Gosport, Hampshire
The closure of key shops and a lack of community spaces has left Gosport’s high street looking bleak.
Residents lament the loss of the vibrant town life they once knew.
Camden, London
Despite its popularity, Camden has over 500 empty council homes, with many properties awaiting repairs or sale due to expensive refurbishment costs.
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Gateshead’s once-bustling town center is dotted with empty shops and boarded-up pubs.
Though there are regeneration plans, progress is slow, and many buildings remain unused.
Hastings, East Sussex
Locals are worried as Hastings town center shows signs of serious decline, with boarded-up businesses and cracked pavements sparking fears the town could turn into a ghost town.
What’s the Way Forward?
Britain’s ghost towns are a complex issue tied to economic shifts, housing policies, and social changes.
Tackling this problem means more than just fixing buildings—it requires rebuilding communities, ensuring affordable homes, and rethinking how we use our housing stock.
Until then, these empty streets will continue to tell the story of a country struggling with its housing crisis and the disappearance of once-thriving communities.