Fastest and slowest areas for broadband in the UK

Author: Alex Tofts

Last updated: 01 May 2025

Whether you’re looking at moving to a new area, finding a new location to work remotely, or just curious to know a broadband speed in a certain location, this is the best place to look. We’ve analysed thousands of broadband speed tests across the UK to bring you the 2025 UK broadband speed index.

What's the broadband speed in my area?

Curious to find out the broadband speed in a specific area? Head over to our blog where you can search any location and find the broadband speed.

South Hetton in County Durham is the UK’s fastest location for broadband speed

The former mining village averaged download speeds of 526Mb and upload speeds of 448Mb. These speeds are only achievable through full fibre broadband or some Virgin Media products. This places it right at the top of our index, and wins the crown for the UK’s fastest broadband.

Lostwithiel in Cornwall is the UK’s slowest location for broadband speed

The small town, home to around 3,000 people, averaged download speeds of 2Mb and upload speeds of 1Mb. This broadband speed would struggle with the most basic internet tasks and doesn’t reach the minimum speed required by streaming services to watch your favourite shows.

Home nations: Fastest and slowest broadband

Northern Ireland is the fastest home nation for broadband in the UK. The country averaged a download speed of 132Mb and an upload speed of 40Mb. Full fibre broadband is available to 96% of premises and over half of homes have taken up the option of full fibre broadband.

Wales is the slowest home nation of the UK. 77% of Welsh homes have access to full fibre broadband. Take up of full fibre broadband where available is 39%.

Broadband speed by UK region

The North West is the fastest region for broadband in the UK. The region has an average download speed of 118Mb and an average upload speed of 32Mb.

Surprisingly, London is the slowest region for broadband speed in the UK. The capital has an average download speed of 93Mb and an average upload speed of 39Mb.

Rutland is the UK’s fastest county for broadband

The picturesque county of Rutland is comes top for broadband speed in the UK. It has an average download speed of 390Mb and an average upload speed of 250Mb.

Orkney Islands is the UK’s slowest county for broadband

The archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland is the UK’s slowest area for broadband. Locals receive an average broadband download speed of 13Mb and an average upload speed of 4Mb.

Scotland’s fastest and slowest locations for broadband speed

Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire is Scotland's fastest location for broadband speed. The town has an average broadband download speed of 614Mb and an average upload speed of 86Mb.

Isle of Islay collects the wooden spoon for Scotland's slowest broadband. The Scottish Island has a download speed of 5Mb and upload speeds of 1Mb.

Wales’ fastest and slowest areas for broadband speed

Pontardawe in Neath Port Talbot has the fastest internet speed in Wales. The town has an average download speed of 277Mb and an upload speed of 45Mb.

Llandovery in Carmarthenshire has the slowest broadband speed in Wales. The market town recorded an average broadband download speed of 17Mb and an upload speed of 7Mb.

Northern Ireland's fastest and slowest areas for broadband speed

Newry is Northern Ireland’s fastest location for broadband speed. The city has an average download speed of 195Mb and an upload speed of 43Mb.

Portstewart in Londonderry has the slowest broadband speed in Northern Ireland. The seaside town has an average download speed of 24Mb and an average upload speed of 10Mb.

London’s fastest and slowest areas for broadband speed

Bexleyheath, in southeast London, is the capital’s fastest area for broadband. The area has a broadband download speed of 265Mb and an upload speed of 38Mb.

Penge in the South East of London has the slowest broadband in the capital. The suburb has an average download speed of 12Mb and an upload speed of 2Mb.

How can I check my broadband speed?

You can test your broadband speed right here on Broadband Genie. Head over to our broadband speed test, it’s free to use and gives an accurate reading of your broadband speed.

To get the best results, follow these steps:

• Make sure you’re connected to your internet connection directly, not through Wi-Fi boosters or a VPN (virtual private network)
• If possible, connect to your router using an Ethernet cable
• Close all other applications on your device
• Pause all other activity on your home broadband network
• Run multiple tests at different times of the day

How can I improve my broadband speed?

Run a speed test and compare the result to what you signed up for. If it’s delivering the speed estimate your broadband provider gave to you when you signed up, it’s likely need to upgrade to a faster broadband deal.

Below are some tips to help speed up your internet:

• Move your router to a central location
• Keep your router away from thick walls and other electronic items such as microwaves and baby monitors
• Use an Ethernet cable
• Upgrade your router
• Reduce the number of devices using your network

Read more on troubleshooting your broadband connection here.

If you find your broadband speed is consistently lower than what you signed up for, you can contact your broadband provider. If they can’t resolve the problem, you may be able to leave no strings attached. Check our guide for more information and if your broadband provider is signed up to the Ofcom code of practice for broadband speed.

• Methodology

  • Broadband Genie analysed 348,578 speed tests during a 12-month period
    To be included in the analysis, locations must reach an accurate representation of the population for that area.
  • Final results were based on a combination of broadband download and upload speeds. Speeds were weighted 80/20 (download/upload) and combined to give a final broadband speed.
    To qualify for to be included in the analysis, a minimum number of tests needed to be recorded in the area to reflect the population size of the city, town or village. For example, 28 tests were taken from South Hetton (fastest location) and 43 tests from Lostwithiel (slowest location).
  • Speed tests were recorded through the Broadband Genie speed test and other partners using the BroadbandUK speed test solution.