Derby emerges as a hotbed for Muddy love

When you think ‘muddy love’ in the Midlands, your mind might wander off to the lush green rolling valleys of the Derbyshire Dales; 33,000 hectares of stunning landscape dotted with chocolate box villages, listed buildings and a plethora of hiking and mountain biking trails…not forgetting beauty spots and dramatic panoramic views. It really is a thing of beauty.

But things are changing in these muddy times.

Love is indeed in the fresh Derbyshire air, and is an ever present in anyone with more than a passing fondness for the Peak District, but it is the 30 square miles of the city of Derby that is actually a haven for muddy love of the online variety – according to Muddy Matches research.

Yes, across the fields of Darley Park, down the nature trails at Chaddesden Wood, the city of Derby has emerged as a UK hotbed for online dating during lockdown with the rate of sign up to Muddy Matches far outpacing the national average.

In the 100 days of lockdown, the number of outdoors-loving singles joining from Derby has almost doubled year-on-year.

The number of online enquiries into the online dating service and website traffic from Derby has also increased 142% since the nation was instructed to lock down.

Muddy Matches say numbers of new faces have bloomed in the area due to a rediscovered appreciation for nature and fresh air as people found solace on Derbyshire’s 3,000 miles of right of way, bridleways and byway on their doorstep during lockdown.

The public’s desire to find a sense of purpose and self-worth during uncertain times, tied to lockdown’s slower pace of life, also contributed.

Other local areas such as the market towns of Ashbourne and Matlock – more commonly associated with the Dales – also boasted a rise in online dating interest with sign up rates significantly above those of the national average.

In Matlock alone, the number of online enquires to join and volume of website/profile visits more than doubled compared to the same period in 2019.

For farmers, horse lovers, dog owners, ramblers and anyone who pulls on a pair of wellies at the weekend, Muddy Matches has welcomed over ½ million singletons onto the website, each intent on matching with someone who shares their love of the great outdoors.

And gents take note: the sign-up rate from local ‘muddy’-minded singles ladies also outpaced the national average.

Andrew, Muddy Matches’ weather beaten marketing mananger said “Looking for love in the countryside has showed no signs of slowign during lockdown. In fact, online dating has been somewhat of a lifeline for single people wanting to broaden their horizons when it comes to social interaction.

“In the 100 days of lockdown, appetite to ‘get yourself out there’ and unearth someone to explore life with has shown to be something the British public have taken to in their droves.”