Lifting the curtain on nosy neighbours: New research reveals nosiest cities in the UK

From side-eyeing the new car on the driveway to playing detective on bin day, a new study has revealed which UK cities have the nosiest neighbours - and Belfast has taken the top spot.

Commissioned by Škoda UK, the research surveyed 2,418 adults to uncover the nation’s most dedicated curtain twitchers. Northern Ireland’s capital ranked first, followed by Worcester in second place and Brighton and Hove in third.

According to the study, more than 1 in 3 Brits proudly identify as nosy neighbours. Whether it’s watching deliveries arrive (31%), knowing exactly when next door leaves for work (28%), being able to name their neighbour’s profession (32%), or spotting a new car on the driveway (22%), the UK’s amateur sleuths are always on alert.

The nation’s novice detectives have beady eyes when it comes to watching neighbours, 31% say they’ve watched something being delivered to a neighbour’s house, while 28% can tell you exactly what time next door heads off to work.

The findings reinforce Škoda’s latest TV campaign, ‘Electric but Škoda’, a witty and playful take on the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding electric car drivers within their communities. The advert explores the curiosity sparked when a family arrives home in the all-electric Škoda Enyaq, prompting a flurry of neighbourhood speculation.​

Other top neighbourly insights includes knowing which supermarket they shop at (14%), and even their workout schedule (9%). If you’re off for a jog in Lycra, odds are someone’s noticing!

Evening hours are prime time for peeking, with 6pm to 8pm named the most popular window for a discreet glance across the street - with 17% naming it their preferred time to snoop.

But far from being frowned upon, nosiness is increasingly seen as part of British culture. Over half (56%) say it’s a national trait, and 47% believe it’s completely harmless.

In fact, 34% think it’s a good thing and can see the benefits, with two-thirds (66 per cent) stating it’s useful in case of an emergency. Furthermore, 62 per cent believe it helps keep the neighbourhood safe, and over one third (35 per cent) say it helps build a stronger sense of community.

Curiosity also extends to what people drive. We may not know our neighbours’ names, but many of us know their number plates. A significant 70% of Brits say they know the colour of their neighbour’s car, while 45% know the make, 35% the model, and 15% can even recall the registration – just in case there’s a spontaneous pub quiz on the cul-de-sac.

When someone in the neighbourhood gets an electric car, 1 in 5 neighbours admire the environmental benefits, 16% are intrigued and want to learn more, and 14% are genuinely impressed by their forward-thinking choice.

Perceptions are shifting too. Nosy neighbours are now more likely view EV drivers as eco-conscious (22%), tech-savvy (15%) and even trendy (12%).

Kirsten Stagg, Head of Marketing at Škoda UK, said: “Nosiness is practically a national sport in Britain. Whether it’s a new car on the driveway or a new family moving in, we can’t help but take a peek. Our latest campaign taps into that familiar curiosity, showing how the arrival of an all-electric Škoda sparks wild speculation across the neighbourhood before revealing it’s simply an ordinary family embracing something new.

“Being a nosy neighbour isn’t just harmless fun - it helps build safer, more connected communities and even sparks conversations, especially around new technology like electric cars.”

Škoda’s latest TV advert is a celebration of the Great British nosy neighbour, those familiar twitching curtains and whispered theories we all recognise. It uses this everyday curiosity to challenge misconceptions about EV ownership and show that electric cars are for everyone.​

NOSIEST CITIES IN THE UK*

1. Belfast – 133 points
2. Worcester – 127 points
3. Brighton and Hove – 120 points
4. Leeds – 116.5 points
5. Birmingham – 109 points
6. Newcastle – 101.5 points
7. Swansea – 99.5 points
8. Edinburgh – 98 points
9. Chelmsford – 97.5 points
10. Cardiff – 97 points
11. London – 96 points
12. Coventry – 93.5 points
13. Leicester – 92 points
14. Wolverhampton – 85 points
15. Southampton – 84 points
16. Portsmouth – 82.5 points
=16. Wrexham – 82.5 points
18. Gloucester – 82 points
19. Glasgow – 75.5 points
20. Bristol – 70 points
21. Liverpool – 68 points
22. Manchester – 65 points
23. Aberdeen – 63 points
=23. Norwich – 63 points
=23. York – 63 points
26. Cambridge – 55.5 points
27. Sheffield – 53.5 points
28. Oxford – 36 points
29. Plymouth – 27 points

* Based on survey data from 29 UK cities, each scored across six nosiness-related questions, including frequency of watching neighbours, social media connections, and group memberships. Cities were ranked from 0–28 points per question, with tied results averaged. Total scores determined the overall 'nosiest' city.