The Best Cities for Single People in the UK

Top 10 Cities for Single People in the UK

Cambridge

Cambridge tops the list with 56.5% of its population being single. With a high student and professional population, the dating pool here is always fresh. Cambridge’s universities and booming tech industry attract thousands of young people, many of whom are focused on studies or careers. The transient population also means new faces constantly enter the scene.

• Hot Numbers or Bould Brothers for coffee are great options
• Mini-golf at Tivoli or retro gaming at Bar-Oh are a fun way to break the ice.
• Check out Anglesey Abbey, The Backs, or the Fitzwilliam Museum if the outdoors is your thing
• Hidden Rooms make a great option for an intimate, stylish experience.

Manchester

Manchester is a top spot for dating with 56.1% of its population single.. Manchester’s booming job market, thriving nightlife, and major universities attract young people. It’s a social city where singles stay busy, whether through work, music, or events.

• Big Hands hosts game nights, a great idea for a first date.
• The Castle Hotel, The Peer Hat, and Kings Arms in Salford are known for friendly, chatty crowds.
• Book lovers should check out John Rylands Library, Heaton Park for a scenic walk, or Pixel Bar for gaming fans.
• For something more intimate, check out Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens or boat rowing at Heaton Park.

Oxford

With its mix of students, academics, and professionals, 55.7% of Oxford’s population is single. Like Cambridge, the people often come for degrees or jobs and then move on. While this keeps the dating pool fresh, it does mean relationships may end up being short-term

• Whether or not you are a student, Many Oxford University societies are great for meeting people, as some of them are open to non-students too.
• Grab a coffee at Nexus Art Café or Jericho’s Last Bookshop, or go to some historic pubs like Turf Tavern and The Chequers Inn.
• For the more active and adventurous, Try punting on the River Cherwell, a scenic walk at Port Meadow, or mini-golf at Junkyard Golf Club.
• For something more intellectual, visit the Ashmolean Museum or Modern Art Oxford.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a smaller city, but a single population of 55.4% makes it a great place to date, but makes a great place to date. Known for its legendary connections to Robin Hood, the city is packed with opportunities to meet new people, whether at live music events, quirky bars, or outdoor festivals.

• Salsa dancing at Revolución de Cuba, or joining a ghost tour through Nottingham’s historic streets are great ideas for something different.
• Ice skating at the National Ice Centre, crazy golf at The Lost City, or an escape room challenge provides an excellent, fun date night.
• For the outdoorsy types, Walk through The Arboretum, take a boat ride at Highfields Park, or watch an outdoor film at Wollaton Hall.
• Grab a drink at The Bodega, or see a gig at Rock City or Rescue Rooms.

Liverpool

With 53.6% of its population single, Liverpool offers countless ways to connect. As a larger city, Liverpool offers plenty of options and a variety of events and activities to explore for dates or meeting people.

• Arts Bar on Hope Street is great for creatives, while Dockleaf and Baltic Market are perfect for casual drinks and good food.
• Try Ghetto Golf for a playful challenge, or Arcains for a retro arcade-style night.
• Visit the World Museum, Walker Art Gallery, or take a relaxed walk through Princes Park or along the docks for a scenic experience.
• Hop on a Mersey Ferry ride, or enjoy board games at Sugar and Dice for a different sort of experience.

Glasgow

Glasgow is one of the most social cities in the UK. Known for its sociable atmosphere, and a great place for dating with 53.2% of its population single. It’s a place where striking up a conversation is easy. It’s also a city where pub culture thrives, making casual meet-ups and spontaneous encounters a big part of the social scene.

• Chinaskis is great for a relaxed start to the night, while Devil of Brooklyn offers a stylish, low-key setting for drinks.
• For something more active, challenge each other at Ghetto Golf.
• Glasgow Film Theatre offers a range of indie films, or share some laughs at The Stand Comedy Club.
• Stroll through the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, admire the exhibits at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, or take in panoramic views from The Lighthouse.
• Visit the historic Glasgow Necropolis for a gothic twist on a date, or explore the quirky stalls and street food at Baltic Market.

Bristol

With 52.6% of its population single, Bristol is a city where individuality thrives. Known for its great independent food and drink scene, it’s an excellent place to date. Its high number of freelancers and self-employed professionals means plenty of people have flexible schedules for socialising. The city’s smaller size compared to London or Manchester also makes it easier to build connections

• Walk across Clifton Suspension Bridge at sunset, explore Leigh Woods, or take in the views from Clifton Down for some stunning views.
• For a cultured experience, check out the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, descend into Giant’s Cave at Clifton Observatory, or catch an independent film at Watershed.
• Foodies and cocktail lovers will enjoy sipping cocktails at The Wellhead, try a ridiculously indulgent hot chocolate at 360 Café, or book a candlelit dinner at Clifton Observatory.
• Bristol is known for its secret pubs and underground bars. Seek out hidden gems like The Milk Thistle or Hyde & Co. for a memorable date.

Norwich

Norwich offers a dating scene that’s more relaxed and has a closer community feel than some of the other cities on the list. With 52.6% of its population single, its a great place for a date. Norwich is also home to a strong student population thanks to the University of East Anglia.

• The Merchant’s House is a favourite for solo coffee drinkers who enjoy being around others without forced socialising.
• The Pear Tree on Unthank Rd is known for its welcoming quiz nights, while Slice + Dice hosts board game socials twice a month.
• For an active date, try Boom: Battle Bar for axe throwing and crazy golf, or go climbing at Highball, the region’s biggest climbing centre.
• Go for a walk through Mousehold Heath for the best skyline views, explore Norwich Cathedral’s riverside grounds, or dive into history at Norwich Castle for an outdoor experience.
• Book a Gin Academy Experience at Gyre & Gimble, solve an escape room challenge, or take a vineyard tour just outside the city for something a bit different.

Brighton and Hove

Brighton and Hove has a dating scene as eclectic and vibrant as the city itself. With 52.1% of its population single, Brighton’s reputation as the UK’s most open-minded and inclusive city makes it a natural hotspot for singles looking to meet like-minded people. It also has a strong LGBTQ+ community.

• The Plotting Parlour is a must for cocktail lovers, The Bees Mouth offers a cozy and alternative vibe, and The Mesmerist combines drinks with live performances.
• Check out Dead Wax Social for vinyl-spinning vibes, compete at The World’s End with its vintage games and escape room, or enjoy live music at Bright Helm.
• Take a walk along Brighton Pier, grab drinks at Occultist’s rooftop bar, or soak in the sea views at Tempest, all of these offer a nice atmosphere and scenery.
• Alcotraz, the prison-themed cocktail bar is something of a theatrical experience, or book a table at Plateau, a natural wine bar with incredible food.

Lincoln

Lincoln may not be the biggest on the list, but with a single population of 51%, it is another great city for dating. Lincoln has a lot to offer, with historic charm embodied by the Lincoln Cathedral. The University of Lincoln also means there is a large student population in the city.

• For a casual date, try Akedo, a gaming bar that hosts regular competitions, or grab a drink at The Strait and Narrow, known for its huge choice of cocktails.
• Walk up Steep Hill (yes, it’s steep) to explore independent shops and historic sites, or visit Lincoln Castle or Lincoln Cathedral for a medieval-themed date.
• If you like some physical activity, join a rock climbing session at Birchwood Gym, try canoeing at Brayford Marina, or take a nature walk at Whisby Nature Park.
• Check out the Lincoln Film Society for indie movies or stargaze at the Lincoln Astronomical Society.

London

While London does not as a whole appear in the top 10 on the list, in a ranking of Local Authority areas, with London boroughs separately, 8 of the top 10 places in the UK are London boroughs. If you are single in London, you should head to any of these places to find a date.

These London boroughs rank highly due to their youthful, diverse, and socially active populations. Areas like Lambeth, Islington, and Hackney are packed with young professionals, creatives, and students, keeping the dating pool fresh. The nightlife in Shoreditch, Brixton, and Soho offers countless bars and clubs where singles can mingle.

• For a more relaxed meetup, Borough Market or a café in Camden make great first-date spots.
• If you prefer an activity, try crazy golf at Swingers, a stroll along the South Bank, or live music at The Jazz Café in Camden.

Methodology and Sources

This study is based on data from the 2021 census, published in 2022 by the ONS (for England and Wales). Data for Northern Ireland and Scotland was sourced from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and Scotland Census, respectively. References to the ONS include these equivalents where applicable. Age category data starts from 16. To determine the percentage of singles, we analyzed ONS data on the population in each Local Authority by age. We then calculated the percentage of people 16 and over who were single or never married/civil-partnered in each area and ranked them accordingly. For UK city rankings, London boroughs were merged, as 8 of the top 10 Local Authorities were in Greater London. A separate ranking was created for London boroughs.

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