Britain’s over‑50s are having a romantic revival - and they’re not shy about it.
According to research of 1,000 adults aged 50+, passion in later life is booming, confidence is sky‑high… but there’s one thing threatening the nation’s love lives:
The staircase.
Yep - it turns out the biggest bedroom buzzkill isn’t a lack of spark… it’s the struggle to actually get upstairs.
The study, commissioned by Uplifts, reveals a nation of silver‑haired sweethearts who are more confident than ever:
78 per cent say romance is vital to their emotional wellbeing
74 per cent feel freer and more expressive with age
82 per cent understand their romantic desires better now than when they were younger
34 per cent say keeping romance alive after 50 is no challenge
And 16 per cent value romance more now than they did in their youth
If anything, the over‑50s are leading the country in passion - and they’ve even got their icons to prove it.
When asked who inspires their love lives, Brits voted for Richard Gere, Bridget Jones and the wonderfully outrageous Dorien Green - proof that confidence, charm and a little cheekiness never go out of style.
But while hearts are willing, knees are… less cooperative.
For many, the prized spots for romance - the bedroom, the bathroom, that upstairs hideaway - are getting harder to reach. And nothing kills a Valentine’s vibe like realising the climb to the top floor feels more like a mountaineering expedition.
Sam Stannah, CEO of Uplifts, which commissioned the research said:
“People over 50 clearly haven’t lost their spark - far from it. They just want to enjoy all parts of their home without needing a pep talk before tackling the stairs.”
The findings highlight a growing truth: Britain’s homes aren’t keeping up with Britain’s love lives. As more couples want to stay put in the homes they adore, accessibility - especially to upstairs spaces - is becoming a surprisingly big factor in keeping romance alive.
So this Valentine’s Day, the over‑50s are saying: “Give us the spark… and the ability to reach the bedroom to enjoy it.”
Because a happy love life starts with one simple thing: Getting upstairs without it becoming the main event.