Wolverhampton ranks in the UK's top 50 most romantic cities - here's what locals think about the love in our beautiful Black Country city

The city of Wolverhampton is an historic one, dating back to the 10th century when it was founded by Lady Wulfruna, and it has been seen as an industrial hub, a place of commerce and a sporting hotbed, but is it a city for romance?

In a recent study by online Tarot reading site Tarotoo into romance-related behaviours across UK cities, combining online search trends with real-world amenities, Wolverhampton was ranked as the 33rd most romantic city in the UK out of 50 cities.

The study looked at metrics ranged from florists and wedding photographers to romantic restaurants, events and luxury hotels, with Bath, Durgam and Newcastle-upon-Tyne topping the list. Birmingham is featured at number 15, with Hereford at number 7 and Worcester at number 11.

Here's the romantic cities list in full:

While the statistics say Wolverhampton is in the lower half for romance and show just 7,362 people per 100,000 doing romance-based searches on Google, it's worth hearing what people who live in and socialise in the city think.

In Tettenhall and Chapel Ash, there are shops, cafes and pubs which can all cater for romantic dates and for people to take loved ones to or purchase things to give them.

Gluttons Cafe is set in the Tettenhall Arcade and is a place where couples can go to enjoy a hot drink in luxurious and cosy surroundings, as well as a nice selection of sandwiches and hot meals and the popular Afternoon Tea.

Manager Stephanie Broxton and staff member Freya Harris both had differing opinions on whether Wolverhampton was really a romantic city.

Stephanie said: "I think the romance side depends on where you are.

"I wouldn't say the city centre is particularly romantic and it's more about the outskirts in places like Tettenhall and Compton, places which have got small little bistros and coffee shops."

Freya said: "I don't think Wolverhampton has a nice atmosphere in general, but it can be better depending where you are as Tettenhall is a nice area and there's a few nice ones, but the city centre isn't and I hate it as I don't even feel safe.

"I just don't think I'd ever go for a romantic meal in the city centre and if my boyfriend said he was taking me here, I joked with him that he'd be gone."

Down the road near High Green is Peter Posh Suit Hire, a place that supplies menswear for all types of events and special occasions.

Shop worker Ella Withington said she wouldn't necessarily describe Wolverhampton as romantic, but said there were parts that did carry a bit of romance.

She said: "I wouldn't say romance is the first word I'd use to describe Wolverhampton, but there are some places that are as we work with a lot of beautiful wedding venues in Wolverhampton.

"I wouldn't call the city centre romantic, but there are some beautiful parks and venues which are lovely and, around here, you've got the gorgeous little green and you see couples out sitting on the benches, so it's a nice little place.

"What could make the city more romantic is things like less crime and less litter and things like that, but I do think there is nothing sweeter than seeing a little old couple walking down the street holding hands."

At Hugs and Kisses, Jo Whitehouse has been helping people to pick up flowers, cards and gifts and said she felt Wolverhampton could do more to be romantic.

She said: "I think it can depend who you're with, but as far as Wolverhampton goes, it don't think it is as in the city centre, it probably needs more restaurants and areas where people can go and meet, like nice bar areas and more of a cafe culture.

"Just for me, Tettenhall is fabulous, with a park, green areas, lots of nice shops and it has that vibe about it and my husband and I will come here to go to the restaurants, so it feels a bit more special, not like the city centre."

Closer to the city centre is Chapel Ash, an urbanised area full of takeaways, pubs, restaurants and a range of other shops, such as Flowercraft, which is owned by Nichola McColl.

She said Wolverhampton was a lot more romantic than most people thought, saying that her own shop always did well for people buying flowers and gifts.

She said: "I reckon it can be romantic as, at Valentines, we always sell out, with hundreds and hundreds of red roses, so there must be people out there feeling romantic.

"I think there are lots of nice restaurants to go for meals and things like that, as well as things to do and new places in town for activities, such as our flower evenings, so I think Wolverhampton can be seen as romantic."

Offering a different place for couples to go to is Gavin Craig, landlord of the Combermere Arms, who said he thought there were romantic areas, but the city did have work to do.

He said: "I think it has got romantic areas to it, such as a nice walk through West Park on a sunny day because it's extremely nice to sit there and have a picnic with your loved one.

"There is always work to do though in Wolverhampton and if I was picking something for a romantic night out, my good lady and I would probably go to a restaurant outside the city centre."