Nearest Pint, Pub Density Map
This interactive map visualizes pub density across the UK, highlighting areas with the highest concentration of pubs per square kilometer, particularly in central London, while showing that many rural and suburban areas have lower pub densities. The map was created using OpenStreetMap data and allows users to explore regional variations in pub availability.
Background
- This blog post presents a pub density map of Great Britain created by KnowWhere Consulting, a geospatial data and analytics firm. The map uses postcode-level licensing data to visualise how densely pubs are distributed across different areas.
- Pubs (public houses) are a culturally significant but declining institution in the UK — thousands have closed in recent decades due to changing drinking habits, supermarket alcohol sales, and rising costs. This map gives a data-driven snapshot of where they still thrive.
- The interactive tool overlays a heatmap on a map of Britain, letting users zoom in on their own area. The blog explains the methodology: the data comes from the Ordnance Survey (Britain's national mapping agency) and local authority licensing registers.
- Key findings highlighted: rural areas in the north and southwest tend to have highest pub density per square km, while central London has surprisingly few pubs relative to population — but tourist-heavy zones like the West End are dense. The blog also notes quirks, such as a single postcode in the City of London containing 86 pubs.