Bath has been crowned the 'dating capital of the UK' - with the city's romantic hotspots proving to be the perfect place to woo a lover ahead of 'cuffing season'. The study investigated responses from 2,000 Brit singletons about dating experiences near them and also key first date factors for 49 towns and cities across the UK to create the rankings.
The posh city of Bath, famous for its thermal spa and being the spectacular backdrop to Netflix period drama Bridgerton, scored 81 points out of a possible 100. This is thanks to its high numbers of 'good' restaurants rated 'romantic', 'good' spots on the bar scene and the average cost of a meal in relation to the town or city's population and dating budgets.
Hot on Bath's heels were Brighton and York, scoring 72 and 60 respectively, according to the study from European lingerie specialists Hunkemöller. Whereas the saying 'it's grim up north' seems to ring true for singletons in Manchester, which trailed last, after claiming the title of the worst city for dating - scoring just 13 out of 100.
'Cuffing season' refers to a season where singletons look for partners to pass the colder months of the year. It usually starts around October and lasts until after Valentine's Day. Of those quizzed, almost a quarter (23%) said they preferred to go for a meal at a restaurant or café on a first date.
Meeting for a drink at a bar was the second most popular first-date choice (15%), closely followed by meeting for coffee (10%). Meanwhile, the traditional first date destination of a trip to the cinema appears to be a thing of the past - as only 5% cited this as their first date activity.
It seems Bath singles are willing to splash the cash while wooing a potential partner, having a first-date budget of £44.50 - £3.80 higher than the UK average of £40.70. The city also boasts plenty of options when it comes to romantic first date activities versus the local population.
Singles looking to date in Manchester were found to budget £39.40 (£1.30 below the UK’s average) for a first date. The city was found to also offer a low number of romantic venues for daters when compared to the local population.
Other cities and towns that ranked amongst the UK’s worst for dating included Durham (14/100), Leicester (17/100), Bradford (19/100), and Coventry (21/100). The survey revealed that despite almost half of UK daters (48%) enjoy the activity options available to them in their local area, their overall enjoyment levels aren't quite as positive.
Just a fifth of the nation’s singletons (21%) have enjoyed dates they’ve been on in the past six months, while a quarter (23%) feel their choices are fairly limited on dating apps. The poll also found that half the number of women (14%) have enjoyed the dates they’ve been on in the past six months than men (28%).
Regionally, four in ten (40%) London residents have found the dates they’ve been on in the past six months to be enjoyable, while more than a third (37%) of Wolverhampton residents have also had fun on the dates they’ve been on. But those looking for love in Northampton may want to try another city with almost a third (31%) admitting they've been left disheartened after going on dates in their local area over the past six months.
Worryingly, less than a third of women (28%) admitted they have felt satisfied by how safe they’ve felt on a first date, versus almost half of men (46%). Overall, those dating in Middlesborough were the most likely to say they had felt unsafe on a first date (17%).
While those in neighbouring Sunderland were the most likely to say they have felt safe when dating (57%). When it comes to spending, UK singles budget an average of £40.70 for a first date.
It appears the cost-of-living crisis hasn't hit singletons' dating budgets as just 4% would suggest free activities such as going to a museum or art gallery for a first date. Interestingly, old stereotypes seem to have gone out the window for UK daters, with just 7% of women expecting the other person to foot the bill on their first outing.
Despite this, on average men were found to budget more for the romantic rendezvous (£46.50) than women (£33.30). Those looking for love in Lisburn, Northern Ireland were found to be the biggest spenders, budgeting on average £60.80 for a first date.
While Leicester topped the list of the more frugal singles on a first date, budgeting just £25.60 each. With the average cost of a meal for two with a bottle of wine in the city totalling £56, even daters ‘going Dutch’ would struggle to cover the bill between them.
Global Head of Design for Hunkemöller Patricia Beurskens said: "It’s no secret that the dating game can be a tricky one to master, but it’s important to try and have fun while doing so and not take the quest for love too seriously. As a brand, we are firm believers that feeling confident in yourself can help make nerve-wracking occasions, such as a first date, become much less scary and leave you oozing self-love and confidence.
"One small but effective way of giving yourself a confidence boost is to start with a great outfit. Our best advice is to start with underwear that makes you feel strong, empowered and like the very best version of you.
"Don’t worry if you don't plan on showing it off to anyone else just yet, this is all about you."
For more information visit https://www.hunkemoller.co.uk/
TOP 10 UK CITIES AND TOWNS FOR DATING:
1. Bath (81/100)
2. Brighton (72/100)
3. York (59.9/100)
4. Edinburgh (59.6/100)
5. Oxford (56/100)
6. Cambridge (56/100)
7. Norwich (53/100)
8. Newcastle upon Tyne (46/100)
9. Northampton (44/100)
10. Exeter (43/100)
BOTTOM 10 UK CITIES AND TOWNS FOR DATING:
1. Manchester (13/100)
2. Durham (14/100)
3. Leicester (17/100)
4. Bradford (19/100)
5. Coventry (21/100)
6. Carlisle (22.6/100)
7. Derry (23/100)
8. Chelmsford (23.4/100)
9. Sunderland (23.5/100)
10. Birmingham (24/100)
THE UK’S TOP FIVE FIRST DATE ACTIVITIES:
1. Going for a meal at a restaurant/cafe - 23%
2. Going to a bar just for drinks - 15%
3. Going for a coffee - 10%
4. Going to the cinema - 5%
5. Going for a walk together - 5%
