Southampton among most popular cities for a winter affair

Research from the married dating site Ashley Madison revealed that between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 there were 421 sign-ups to its site from Southampton.

This compared quite significantly to the prior period of May 1 to September 30 in 2022 when there were only 21 sign-ups.

Overall this placed it in the top 10 cities, with it being behind fellow south coast locations such as Bournemouth and Brighton.

Southampton ranked below places such as Brighton and Bournemouth

Top 10 cities for a winter affair in the UK

The top 10 list is based on sign-ups to Ashley Madison between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023 with it being measured by capita.

1. Salford
2. Manchester
3. Newcastle
4. Bournemouth
5. Brighton
6. Colchester
7. Exeter
8. Belfast
9. Southampton
10. Leeds

In comparison to Southampton, Bournemouth had 326 sign-ups to Ashley Madison during the same time period, but because of their lower population, it meant they ranked higher in the list.

Meanwhile, for sign-ups that took place on the site between March 1 and July 31 in 2023 Southampton had 358 whilst Bournemouth had 298.

Discussing the top 10 list Christoph Kraemer, Managing Director Europe for Ashley Madison, said: “It is highly unusual that a city earns top spots both in our summer and winter ranking of most unfaithful cities.

"We are open to collaborating with Salford city officials to further promote its standing as the UK’s top infidelity destination.”

Southampton ranked below Bournemouth on the list despite having more sign-ups due to it being measured per capita (Image: PA)

Lucy Beresford, Relationship Expert and Psychotherapist, said: “This study shows that as the nights draw in and even snow is forecast, affairs are not concentrated just in one pocket of the UK. Nor is infidelity happening in the country’s largest cities, since London is no longer in the Top 20.

"Instead, from the top of the country in Aberdeen right down to the South Coast in Brighton, what is traditionally known as the ‘cuffing season’ (where people look to find special cuddle partners in the run up to the festive season), is clearly now happening up and down the country.

"And it is cities on water high up the rankings, like Newcastle and Bournemouth, which suggests that biting winds do nothing to deter people wanting to get their emotional needs met.”