Mature Dating Online brings Southampton dating to single men and women aged 45 and over, along with Portsmouth, Winchester, Fareham, Havant, Gosport and the New Forest. At the 2021 Census, about 224,000 people aged 50 and over across south Hampshire were never married, divorced or widowed. Joining is free.
Single over 50 in south Hampshire: what the Census shows
The ten local authorities from the New Forest across to Havant and up to Winchester had 595,832 people aged 50 and over at the 2021 Census. Of those, 223,831 (37.6%) were never married, divorced or widowed, a little below the 39.2% average for England and Wales.
The two cities tell a different story from the rest. In Portsmouth 45.9% of over-50s were never married, divorced or widowed, and in Southampton 44.9%. Between them they account for 64,038 people, nearly three in ten of the area’s total. Divorce is the main reason: 18.8% of over-50s in Portsmouth and 18.0% in Southampton are divorced, against 14.4% nationally, and Gosport is not far behind at 17.8%. The New Forest has the largest number outside the cities, at 32,177, while Winchester, Test Valley and East Hampshire are the most settled areas, at about a third.
| Local authority | Aged 50+ | Never married, divorced or widowed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 67,460 | 30,951 | 45.9% |
| Southampton | 73,725 | 33,087 | 44.9% |
| Gosport | 34,802 | 14,097 | 40.5% |
| Havant | 57,073 | 22,042 | 38.6% |
| New Forest | 91,103 | 32,177 | 35.3% |
| Eastleigh | 53,611 | 18,890 | 35.2% |
| Fareham | 53,375 | 17,961 | 33.7% |
| Test Valley | 55,214 | 18,569 | 33.6% |
| Winchester | 52,199 | 17,291 | 33.1% |
| East Hampshire | 57,270 | 18,766 | 32.8% |
Online dating between the two cities
Southampton and Portsmouth sit at either end of the M27, with Fareham, Eastleigh and the towns along the Solent in between. People here often look at profiles in both cities. If you’re in one and they’re in the other, Fareham is the natural place to meet halfway, and there are direct trains between the two cities, so nobody has to drive. Winchester is a short hop north of Southampton and suits a first date for anyone coming from the north of the county.
The old football rivalry between Saints and Pompey is worth a light-hearted question early on. Beyond that, the water gives you plenty to talk about: sailing on the Solent, a favourite walk in the New Forest, or a day trip to the Isle of Wight. Ferries leave for the island from both cities. If you’re looking for Southampton dating that suits a quieter pace, a weekday morning walk followed by coffee often works better than a busy weekend evening.
First date ideas in Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester
- Tudor House and Garden, Southampton. One of the oldest buildings in the city, with a garden and café. It’s closed on Wednesdays.
- Southampton’s old town walls. A walk along the medieval walls makes an easy hour, with pubs and cafés nearby when you want to sit down.
- The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. A matinée followed by tea gives you something to talk about and a natural end point.
- Southsea seafront and Common. A flat walk along the front with views across to the Isle of Wight, and cafés along the way.
- Old Portsmouth. The Round Tower and the Hot Walls look straight out over the harbour entrance, so there’s always a ferry or a yacht to watch while you talk.
- Winchester Cathedral. A visit to the cathedral, then a walk through the Close and into town. Your ticket is an annual pass, so a second visit costs nothing extra.
- Lymington. The quay and high street on the edge of the New Forest make a relaxed half day for anyone in the west of the area.
Venues checked November 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.
Meeting people offline in south Hampshire
- u3a. Two u3a networks cover the area. The South West Hampshire network has 20 u3as including Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh District, Lymington and Romsey. The South Central Network covers Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, Waterlooville and Hayling Island among others.
- Ramblers. The Ramblers’ Hampshire Area has 15 groups, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, the New Forest and a Hampshire 40+ Walking Group.
Dating safely in Hampshire
People in Hampshire lost £3.45 million to romance fraud in 2025, according to Report Fraud. The pattern is nearly always the same: someone you’ve met online declares strong feelings quickly, has a reason never to video call or meet, and then needs money for an emergency. Report Fraud says any request for money from someone you’ve only met online should ring an alarm bell. Our online dating safety advice covers the warning signs and what to do if you’re worried.
More from Mature Dating Online
See our other area guides for mature singles, including Kent, or read about dating over 60 and mature women dating. Our guide to mature dating in the UK explains how the site works.