Portsmouth named in top 15 best UK areas for a perfect Valentine’s Day proposal this year

Valentine’s Day has long been one of the most popular dates for proposals in the UK, with couples leaning into the symbolism of the day to mark a once-in-a-lifetime moment. From scenic city viewpoints to candlelit historic streets, location plays a bigger role than many realise when popping the question. But have you ever wondered which parts of the UK are actually the best places to propose on Valentine’s Day in 2026?

To find out where romance really thrives, a new study by Trusted Psychics analysed 49 major UK areas to identify the best places for a Valentine’s Day proposal. The research combined six carefully weighted metrics designed to capture both emotional appeal and practical support. These included how often major attractions are described as “proposal spots” in online reviews, the number of scenic viewpoints per 10,000 residents, typical Valentine’s Day weather conditions, and the availability of proposal photographers. The study also factored in the number of florists and jewellers per 10,000 people, recognising how important easy access to last-minute essentials can be.

Each metric was weighted to reflect its importance to the proposal experience. Data was sourced from platforms including TripAdvisor, Google Maps and AccuWeather, before being combined into a single score for each city.

Portsmouth ranks 14th overall with a total score of 38.73, and it makes a strong case for couples who want a proposal with sea air, big views and minimal fuss. While it doesn’t place especially high for “proposal spot” review mentions at major attractions, ranking 24th, Portsmouth performs much better on the elements that can make or break a February plan. It ranks fifth for Valentine’s Day weather, suggesting a better chance of a dry, comfortable moment compared to much of the country, and it sits 13th for scenic viewpoints per 10,000 residents, which suits a waterfront city packed with coastal angles.

Where Portsmouth really shines is in proposal logistics. It ranks 10th for proposal photographers per 10,000 people, making it relatively easy to find someone to capture the big moment without turning it into a military operation. Even more impressive, it ranks third for florists per 10,000 people, which is perfect for anyone who wants to go full romance with a bouquet (or a slightly over-the-top display, no judgement). The main drawback is jeweller availability, where Portsmouth ranks 31st, so couples may want to sort the ring in advance rather than leaving it to a last-minute dash.

Meanwhile, the top of the ranking is led by Exeter, which stands out for having the best Valentine’s Day weather in the UK and the highest number of proposal photographers per 10,000 people, making it both romantic and easy to plan. Bath ranks second, excelling in proposal-spot mentions and scenic viewpoints, backed by strong jeweller availability. Durham is third overall, ranking first for scenic viewpoints per capita, while also placing highly for jewellers. Cambridge is fourth and impresses with one of the highest shares of proposal-spot mentions and excellent jeweller access, making it a dependable choice for classic romance. Oxford rounds out the top five with strong proposal-spot popularity, florist availability and favourable February weather.

Further down the top ten, Perth, in sixth, stands out for having the highest number of jewellers per 10,000 people and the second-best scenic viewpoint score, offering dramatic backdrops with easy ring access. Hereford (7th) ranks exceptionally well for proposal photographers and scenic viewpoints, making it ideal for well-planned outdoor moments. York is 8th, and has strong scenic density and high proposal-spot mentions, reflecting its enduring romantic appeal. In ninth place, Manchester performs best for proposal-spot popularity and jeweller availability among major cities, while Edinburgh rounds out the list with the second-highest share of proposal-spot mentions, reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s most iconic cities for popping the question.

At the other end of the scale, proposals appear more challenging in cities that lack scenery and support services. Bradford ranks last with a score of 9.48, followed by Stoke-on-Trent at 11.11 and Wakefield at 11.40. Preston and Kingston upon Hull also struggle due to low scenic viewpoint density and limited proposal infrastructure, making romantic planning more difficult despite reasonable florist availability in some cases.

Joanne Jones, a spokesperson for Trusted Psychics, commented on the study: “Valentine’s Day has always carried a special emotional weight. For many couples, it feels like the most natural moment to propose because love is already the focus of the day. You’re not creating romance from scratch, it’s already there in the atmosphere, in the expectations, and in the shared meaning of the date.”

“A place can completely shape how a proposal feels. When couples are surrounded by beautiful views, historic streets, or somewhere that feels calm and meaningful, it helps them stay present in the moment. The best areas tend to offer a mix of scenery, comfort and ease, so couples aren’t worrying about logistics or stress when they should be focusing on each other.”

“What often gets overlooked is how practical details affect romance. Access to florists, photographers or even just a quiet scenic spot can turn a good idea into a truly memorable moment. Feeling supported by the surroundings allows couples to relax, which is often what makes a proposal feel genuine rather than rushed or awkward.”

“My advice is always to choose somewhere that reflects your relationship, not just what looks good in photos. Whether that’s a peaceful riverside walk, a historic city centre or somewhere with personal meaning, authenticity matters more than perfection. Valentine’s Day already brings the romance, so the best proposals are the ones that feel natural, thoughtful and true to the couple.”

The full list of the best UK areas for a Valentine’s Day proposal: