As more singles move away from dating apps in search of real, in-person connections, South Western Railway (SWR) and Thursday, a worldwide dating events company, have worked together to identify the best IRL locations to help singles find love away from the screen.
According to Ofcom’s 2024 Online Nation report, approximately 1.2 million users across some of the UK’s most popular dating apps deleted their accounts over the past year.* Reflecting this trend, SWR’s survey of 500 Brits found that 71% said they believed meeting someone in person leads to stronger, more genuine connections than meeting on a dating app.
With the expertise of Thursday’s co-founder, Matthew McNeill Love, SWR identified the top settings for a spontaneous “meet-cute” encounter, analysing Google search data to uncover London’s most popular destinations for sparks to fly.
According to Matthew, “A meet-cute is a spontaneous, memorable first encounter that sparks a romantic connection. The best places for a meet-cute have a naturally charming or romantic atmosphere or foster shared interests. The environment should encourage natural conversation, making interactions feel easy and organic rather than forced.”
London’s most popular meet-cute locations
SWR identified the top locations for a potential romantic encounter in London, from flower shops to run clubs. Google search data was analysed to reveal just how popular these spots are, showcasing the places where love might blossom amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital.
| Location | Average Monthly Google Searches |
| Museum | 18,100 |
| Jazz club | 18,100 |
| Bookshop | 9,900 |
| Art gallery | 8,100 |
| Flower market | 8,100 |
| Record store | 6,600 |
| Padel club | 5,400 |
| Café | 5,400 |
| Thrift shop | 5,400 |
| Wine bar | 5,400 |
Museums and jazz clubs emerged as London’s two most in-demand spots, each averaging 18,100 searches per month.
Bookshops also remained a popular choice averaging 9,900 monthly searches, with London’s iconic Notting Hill Bookshop making the perfect place to recreate your favourite rom-com scene. Art galleries, flower markets and record stores are also popular spots, ideal for bumping into someone with shared interests.
London’s trending meet-cute locations
Real-life connections are in for 2025, and the data reveals the hottest spots for a potential meet-cute in the year ahead. The study analysed the year-on-year percentage increase of search terms to uncover London’s up-and-coming meeting places and Padel has taken London by storm, with interest increasing by 86% in the last year.
Searches for board game venues saw a 50% increase in the last year, suggesting these venues could be a place for people to play their hand at love. Museums rose by 50%, while bookshops and art galleries saw an increase of 22%, proving that rise in demand for real-life experiences and the potential for meet-cutes aren’t just for rom-coms.
Why are in-person meetings better than through a screen?
Matthew said: “No great love story is about swiping right on a dating app – they’re all about meet-cute moments that, while romanticised, do happen in real life. Online dating serves its purpose, but it makes forging real-life connections harder by creating unrealistic expectations. People are judged by a few photos and witty prompts, which is why we now hear the phrase ‘dating app fatigue’.
“In contrast, real-life interactions don’t give you time to overthink. Whether it’s fleeting eye contact on the train or a chance encounter, these organic moments can lead to genuine connections.”
Love on the line: a real-life railway meet-cute
If you need proof that meet-cutes don’t just happen in movies, look no further than Sheree Whetren, Health and Wellbeing Practitioner for SWR. Her love story began 25 years ago with a chance encounter at Waterloo station:
“I met my husband Chris on the railway 25 years ago while we were both working with Rail Gourmet. Three years after that fateful meeting, we both joined SWR, and our bond grew stronger with each passing day. The railway wasn’t just our workplace; it became the backdrop of our love story, filled with shared moments, laughter, and dreams.