A new nationwide study has upended traditional notions of romance, revealing that Manchester, not Paris or Venice, is the place to be for those seeking love. Commissioned by the LEGO Group, the research surveyed 2,000 Britons in relationships and found that a remarkable 40% of Manchester residents describe themselves as "very romantic," securing the northern city's position as the romance capital of Britain.
The Romantic Rankings Across UK Cities
Manchester leads the pack, just ahead of London at 37% and Liverpool at 36%. Leeds follows closely with 35%, while Nottingham and Cambridge tie at 34%. The top ten list of romantic hotspots also includes Glasgow at 33%, Brighton at 32%, Norwich at 31%, and Oxford at 30%. These cities represent the UK's most amorous locales where residents are most likely to be swept off their feet.
The Least Romantic City Revealed
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Newcastle emerged as the least romantic city in the UK, with only 20% of respondents describing themselves as romantic. This sentiment extends to Valentine's Day traditions, where just 26% of Geordies plan to buy their partners a gift, compared to 38% across the rest of the UK.
The Decline of the Love Letter
The study uncovered a significant generational shift in romantic expression. The traditional love letter is becoming a relic of the past, with 35% of Gen Z and 27% of millennials admitting they have never written one. This contrasts sharply with just 10% of Gen X and baby boomers who have never penned a love letter.
Overall, an overwhelming 91% of respondents across all age groups believe that words of love are no longer a common way to express feelings. More than half (53%) would feel silly or awkward writing a love letter, while 22% would struggle to find the right words when putting pen to paper.
A Persistent Appetite for Romance
Despite these trends, the desire for romance remains strong. A resounding 60% of Britons across all age groups said they would love it if their partner wrote them some personal words of love, indicating that while methods may change, the fundamental craving for romantic expression endures.
LEGO's Romantic Intervention
To help reignite romantic expression, LEGO Botanicals is launching an innovative online message-builder. This digital tool unlocks a selection of romantic lines ready for direct messages, social media captions, or even voice notes, providing modern solutions for contemporary romance.
Kuran Sharma, Head of Marketing UK&I for the LEGO Group, commented: "Whether you're from the north or south, east or west, it's clear that Valentine's is missing that extra effort. At the LEGO Group, we want to help romantics reach their potential by giving them the building bricks for an epic love letter and the perfect gift to accompany it."
Britain's Most Romantic Cities
The percentage of residents who describe themselves as 'very' romantic:
- Manchester - 40%
- London - 37%
- Liverpool - 36%
- Leeds - 35%
- Nottingham - 34%
- Cambridge - 34%
- Glasgow - 33%
- Brighton - 32%
- Norwich - 31%
- Oxford - 30%
