UK Cities SQL

Question

Does anybody have a script for inserting a list of UK towns cities into a SQL server database?

Answer 1

You could generate some INSERTs in MS Excel from this list at Wikipedia.

Is that what you are looking for?

Answer 2

@JohnMacintyre:

I'd use the HTML from that list you suggested at Wikipedia and then I'd use RegexBuddy to build me all the inserts which I'd then cut and paste into SQL Server Query Analyzer and run.

Answer 3

You can find (all?) the towns in uk here.

You would need to fetch them all by looping over the letters of the alphabet, kind of like this:

// PHP pseudo-code
$letters = array('a', 'b', [...], 'z');
foreach($letters as $letter) {
  $html = file_get_contents(
                "http://www.information-britain.co.uk/towns.cfm?alpha=$letter");
  $towns = $this->extractTowns($html);
  $sql = $this->generateSQL($towns);
  $this->db->query($sql);
}

public function extractTowns ($html) {
   // Code to extract towns from $html. Return an array
}

public function generateSQL(array $towns) {
    // Generate SQL here from the town-list on the form
    // INSERT INTO UkTowns (columndefinitions) VALUES ($towns[x]-columns, [...])
}

Answer 4

Try a quich VB using the excellent link which "Machine" provided. I copied and pasted the results

Here is the code

Imports System.IO

Public Class Form1

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

        Dim s As String = "Abberley | Abbey Wood | Abbots Bromley | Abbots Langley | Abbots Leigh | Abbots Ripton | Abbotsbury | Abbotsley | Aberaeron | Aberargie | Abercastle | Abercraf | Abercych | Aberdare | Aberdaron | Aberdeen | Aberdour | Aberdovey | Aberfeldy | Aberffraw | Aberfoyle | Abergavenny | Abergele | Abergorlech | Abergwili | Aberlady | Aberlour | Abernethy | Aberporth | Abersoch | Abersychan | Abertillery | Aberystwyth | Abingdon | Abinger | Abinger Hammer | Abington | Aboyne | Abram | Abridge | Acaster Malbis | Accrington | Acharacle | Achiltibuie | Achnasheen | Acklam | Ackworth | Acle | Acocks Green | Acomb | Acrefair | Acton | Acton Bridge | Adare | Adderbury | Addingham | Addington | Addlestone | Adlington | Adstock | Aghadowey | Aghalee | Ahoghill | Airdrie | Airth | Akebar | Akeley | Albrighton | Albury | Alcester | Alconbury | Alconbury Weston | Aldbourne | Aldbrough St John | Aldbury | Aldeburgh | Aldenham | Alderbury | Alderley Edge | Aldermaston | Alderminster | Alderney | Aldersey Green | Aldershot | Aldford | Aldgate | Aldridge | Aldringham | Aldworth | Aldwych | Alexandria | Alfold | Alford | Alfreton | Alfriston | All of London | All Stretton | Allendale | Allenheads | Allerford | Allerston | Allerton | Allhallows | Allhallows-on-Sea | Allington | Alloa | Allostock | Alloway | Almeley | Almondbank | Almondsbury | Alne | Alness | Alnmouth | Alnwick | Alresford | Alrewas | Alsager | Alsagers Bank | Alston | Alstonefield | Althorne | Althorp | Altnagelvin | Alton | Alton Towers | Altrincham | Alum Bay | Alva | Alvechurch | Alvecote | Alvediston | Alveley | Alves | Alveston | Alvington | Alwoodley | Alyth | Ambergate | Amberley | Amble | Ambleside | Ambrosden | Amersham | Amesbury | Amlwch | Ammanford | Ampfield | Ampleforth | Ampthill | Amroth | Amulree | Ancaster | Anderton | Andover | Andoversford | Angle | Angmering | Annacloy | Annalong | Annan | Annbank | Anniesland | Annitsford | Anslow | Anstruther | Ansty | Antrim | Apartments all over London | Apperley Bridge | Appin | Applecross | Appledore | Appletreewick | Appley | Apsley | Arborfield | Arbroath | Archway | Arclid | Ardaneaskan | Ardbeg | Ardeley | Ardens Grafton | Ardentinny | Ardeonaig | Ardfern | Ardgay | Ardglass | Ardingly | Ardington | Ardishaig | Ardleigh | Ardmillan | Ardrishaig | Ardrossan | Ardvasar | Arisaig | Arkendale | Arkengarthdale | Arkesden | Arklow | Arlesey | Arlingham | Arlington | Armadale | Armagh | Armathwiate | Armoy | Armscote | Armthorpe | Arncliffe | Arncott | Arnold | Arnside | Aros | Arreton | Arrochar | Arthingworth | Articlave | Artigarvan | Arundel | Ascog Bay | Ascot | Ash | Ash-cum-Ridley | Ashbourne | Ashburnham Place | Ashburton | Ashcott | Ashford | Ashford in the Water | Ashford-in-the-Water | Ashill | Ashington | Ashkirk | Ashleworth | Ashley | Ashmore Green | Ashorne | Ashover | Ashprington | Ashtead | Ashton | Ashton in Makerfield | Ashton Keynes | Ashton under Lyne | Ashton-in-Makerfield | Ashton-under-Lyne | Ashurst | Ashwater | Ashwell | Ashwicke | Askam-in-Furness | Askernish | Askett | Askham | Askrigg | Aspatria | Aspley Guise | Asthall | Astmoor | Aston | Aston Cantlow | Aston Clinton | Aston Rowant | Astwood | Athelstaneford | Atherstone | Atherton | Athlone | Athy | Attleborough | Auchenblae | Auchenbowie | Auchencairn | Auchindoir | Auchinleck | Auchterarder | Auchtermuchty | Audlem | Aughnacloy | Aughrim | Aughton | Auldearn | Auldgirth | Aultbea | Aust | Austerfield | Austrey | Austwick | Avebury | Aveley | Avening | Aviemore | Avonwick | Awre | Axbridge | Axford | Axminster | Axmouth | Aycliffe | Aylesbury | Aylesford | Aylesham | Aylmerton | Aylsham | Aymestrey | Aynho | Ayot St Lawrence | Ayr | Aysgarth | Ayside |"
        Dim cities() As String = s.Split("|")

        Dim oWrite As System.IO.StreamWriter
        oWrite = File.CreateText("C:\uktowns_sql.txt")

        For Each city As String In cities
            oWrite.WriteLine("INSERT INTO mytable values(" & """" & city.Trim() & """" & ")")
        Next

        oWrite.Flush()
        oWrite.Close()


    End Sub

End Class

Here is the result. Just change the table name

INSERT INTO mytable values("Abberley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbey Wood")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbots Bromley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbots Langley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbots Leigh")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbots Ripton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbotsbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abbotsley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberaeron")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberargie")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abercastle")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abercraf")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abercych")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberdare")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberdaron")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberdeen")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberdour")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberdovey")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberfeldy")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberffraw")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberfoyle")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abergavenny")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abergele")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abergorlech")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abergwili")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberlady")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberlour")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abernethy")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberporth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abersoch")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abersychan")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abertillery")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aberystwyth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abingdon")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abinger")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abinger Hammer")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aboyne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abram")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Abridge")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acaster Malbis")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Accrington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acharacle")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Achiltibuie")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Achnasheen")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acklam")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ackworth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acle")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acocks Green")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acomb")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acrefair")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Acton Bridge")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Adare")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Adderbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Addingham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Addington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Addlestone")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Adlington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Adstock")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aghadowey")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aghalee")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ahoghill")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Airdrie")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Airth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Akebar")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Akeley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Albrighton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Albury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alcester")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alconbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alconbury Weston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldbourne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldbrough St John")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldeburgh")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldenham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alderbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alderley Edge")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldermaston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alderminster")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alderney")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldersey Green")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldershot")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldgate")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldridge")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldringham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldworth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aldwych")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alexandria")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alfold")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alfreton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alfriston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("All of London")
INSERT INTO mytable values("All Stretton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allendale")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allenheads")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allerford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allerston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allerton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allhallows")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allhallows-on-Sea")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alloa")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Allostock")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alloway")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Almeley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Almondbank")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Almondsbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alness")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alnmouth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alnwick")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alresford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alrewas")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alsager")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alsagers Bank")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alstonefield")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Althorne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Althorp")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Altnagelvin")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alton Towers")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Altrincham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alum Bay")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alva")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alvechurch")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alvecote")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alvediston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alveley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alves")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alveston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alvington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alwoodley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Alyth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ambergate")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amberley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amble")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ambleside")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ambrosden")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amersham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amesbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amlwch")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ammanford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ampfield")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ampleforth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ampthill")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amroth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Amulree")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ancaster")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Anderton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Andover")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Andoversford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Angle")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Angmering")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Annacloy")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Annalong")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Annan")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Annbank")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Anniesland")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Annitsford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Anslow")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Anstruther")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ansty")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Antrim")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Apartments all over London")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Apperley Bridge")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Appin")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Applecross")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Appledore")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Appletreewick")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Appley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Apsley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arborfield")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arbroath")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Archway")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arclid")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardaneaskan")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardbeg")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardeley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardens Grafton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardentinny")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardeonaig")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardfern")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardgay")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardglass")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardingly")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardishaig")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardleigh")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardmillan")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardrishaig")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardrossan")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ardvasar")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arisaig")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arkendale")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arkengarthdale")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arkesden")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arklow")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arlesey")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arlingham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arlington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Armadale")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Armagh")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Armathwiate")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Armoy")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Armscote")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Armthorpe")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arncliffe")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arncott")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arnold")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arnside")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aros")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arreton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arrochar")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arthingworth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Articlave")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Artigarvan")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Arundel")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ascog Bay")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ascot")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ash")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ash-cum-Ridley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashbourne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashburnham Place")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashburton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashcott")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashford in the Water")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashford-in-the-Water")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashill")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashkirk")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashleworth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashmore Green")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashorne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashover")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashprington")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashtead")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashton in Makerfield")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashton Keynes")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashton under Lyne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashton-in-Makerfield")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashton-under-Lyne")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashurst")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashwater")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashwell")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ashwicke")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Askam-in-Furness")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Askernish")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Askett")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Askham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Askrigg")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aspatria")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aspley Guise")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Asthall")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Astmoor")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aston")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aston Cantlow")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aston Clinton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aston Rowant")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Astwood")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Athelstaneford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Atherstone")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Atherton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Athlone")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Athy")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Attleborough")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchenblae")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchenbowie")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchencairn")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchindoir")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchinleck")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchterarder")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auchtermuchty")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Audlem")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aughnacloy")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aughrim")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aughton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auldearn")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Auldgirth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aultbea")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aust")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Austerfield")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Austrey")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Austwick")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Avebury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aveley")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Avening")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aviemore")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Avonwick")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Awre")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Axbridge")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Axford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Axminster")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Axmouth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aycliffe")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aylesbury")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aylesford")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aylesham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aylmerton")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aylsham")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aymestrey")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aynho")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ayot St Lawrence")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ayr")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Aysgarth")
INSERT INTO mytable values("Ayside")
INSERT INTO mytable values("")

Answer 5

I need a similar list, but with latitude and longitude too. I think I will have to copy 26 pages from here: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~agene/locations/index.html

Normally you'd let Google store it all for you, but when you want 50 place names shown on one webpage, making 50 HTTP calls to Google's geocoding service makes the page load to slowly to keep users happy (unless I am missing a trick?).

I will have to maintain my own SQL table. Looking at old data on our system, only 2000 distinct place names have been used in the past, so I don't think things will become unmanageable.