Lancaster has been named the best place in England for working mothers in 2025, according to research by CoworkingCafe. The study assessed more than 80 English cities and towns across four areas: work, education, health and environment, and affordability. Using 15 measures that included women’s employment, income, childcare costs, school access, healthcare, air quality, green space, and housing affordability, the report highlights where modern motherhood is most supported.

Lancaster came first overall, offering 36.5 schools per 10,000 children, ranking third nationally for school access. Childcare costs average £5.20 per hour, while 77.3% of women are employed, working an average of 29.2 hours per week. The city also benefits from the second-cleanest air in the country. Cheltenham followed in second place, where 81.8% of women are in employment and there is a one-to-one job-to-resident ratio. Childcare availability there stands at 2 children per place, with 35.6 schools per 10,000 children.

Newcastle-under-Lyme took third, with childcare costs at £5.00 per hour and good availability of 2.3 children per place. Families also benefit from extensive public green spaces and private gardens, as 92.6% of addresses have outdoor space. The North West featured strongly, with five cities in the top 10: Lancaster, Chester, Warrington, Birkenhead, and Stockport.

The study revealed broader trends. Nearly 80% of mothers with dependent children are in paid employment, the highest rate in 20 years. Winchester has the strongest employment rate at 89.2%, with 1.3 jobs per resident. Exeter leads in school density at 39.2 per 10,000 children and also records the cleanest air. St Albans stands out with the highest female median income of £42,197 and the best-performing schools. Rotherham offers the lowest childcare costs at £4.50 per hour, while Sheffield provides the best GP access with 89.4 per 100,000 residents. Brighton and Hove, along with Wokingham, have the best childcare availability at 1.5 children per place.

Across England, 72% of women are in employment, working on average 30 hours weekly, with a median annual income close to £34,000. Childcare typically costs £6 per hour for ages 2 to 4, with an average of 2.4 children per place, and GP coverage stands at 68 per 100,000 residents.

Two additional categories were highlighted. Support Strongholds identified Winchester, Chichester, Oxford, Exeter, and Cheltenham as strong options for career-driven mothers, offering access to jobs and key services. Cost-Comfort Hotspots featured Stafford, Preston, Sunderland, Barnsley, and Rotherham, where lower childcare and housing costs complement solid female median pay.

The report comes as childcare support expands through the government’s £8 billion annual investment, set to provide 30 hours of free childcare per week by 2025 for eligible parents with children from 9 months to school age. However, challenges remain, as nurseries face financial pressures and staff shortages. The findings highlight significant regional differences and suggest that policymakers must act to ensure fair access to support nationwide.

For working mothers, the rankings act as a guide to where balancing career and family life is most achievable in 2025, while also showing which areas still need improvements in childcare and employment support.