Britain’s most unfaithful towns in 2025 mapped

THE UK’s top town for cheating has been revealed.

And it is a “classic affair hot spot” that is “buzzing with passion”, according to a sex and relationship expert.

Best known for hosting Royal Ascot Racecourse, the Berkshire town of Ascot has galloped into first place as the UK’s most adulterous town.

According to data from IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s leading extramarital dating site, Ascot tops the list for 2025 – proving that even behind the well-kept hedges and high-end postcodes, passion often strays beyond the picket fence.

The affairs site’s annual Infidelity Index reveals a striking 6.72% of Ascot’s population engaged in affairs in 2025, making it the new adultery capital of Britain.

Hot on Ascot’s heels is the Cheshire ‘footballer belt’ favourite Wilmslow with 6.23%, followed rather surprisingly by the Scottish Highlands town of Alness with 6.01% – showing that no corner of the UK is immune to temptation.

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Other surprising affair hotspots include Fowey in Cornwall (5.69%) and Ludlow in Shropshire (5.51%), where the quiet countryside apparently conceals a roaring appetite for romance.

On the other end of the scale, Clacton-on-Sea in Essex earned itself a rather different title – the UK’s most faithful place, with just 0.31% of locals admitting to an affair.

It means the seaside town now has two claims to fame in 2025: not only is it home to Britain’s most loyal lovers, but it’s also represented by Nigel Farage, who was voted the UK’s sexiest politician earlier this year by members of the affairs site.

Other faithful hotspots include Harlow (0.42%), Hartlepool (0.49%), and Alloa (0.57%), with Swindon – last year’s most faithful town – still holding strong at 0.60%.

This year’s data also reveals a 6% rise in affairs across the UK since January, continuing a two-decade trend of growing extramarital activity. 

Commenting on this year’s results, Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert for IllicitEncounters.com, said: “Affluent commuter towns like Ascot and Wilmslow are classic affair hotspots.”

As for Clacton-on-Sea’s low infidelity rate, Leoni added: “It seems residents of the seaside town are remaining remarkably faithful.

“These places are hubs for high-flying careers, long commutes, and significant stress – affairs can become a form of release or a way to reclaim your identity, so it’s no surprise these places are buzzing with passion.

“Perhaps the political drama on their doorstep is providing enough excitement for everyone, leaving no reason to stray from their partners.”

Illicit Encounters also revealed the most common reasons why someone would cheat on a partner.

Why do people cheat?

1. Issues With a Lack of Intimacy 

When you’ve been with someone for a long time, it’s easy for things to feel a little stale, and that closeness can start to fade.

Intimacy is such an important part of a healthy relationship, so it’s not hard to see why some people might go looking for it elsewhere.

2. Feeling an Emotional Disconnect 

Communication is so important, and if you can’t share your feelings with your partner, it’s easy to look for that connection elsewhere. 

An affair can feel like a way to reconnect emotionally and get those needs met again.

3. Struggling With Low Self-Esteem 

When your self-esteem is low, it’s easy to get stuck in your own head and assume the worst about how your partner feels.Even if that’s not the case, having an affair can sometimes feel like a quick confidence boost.

4. They Have A Need for Variety 

Some people crave a little variety in their relationships, whether it’s physical or emotional. For some, being with one person forever sounds perfect, but for others, monogamy just doesn’t feel right.

5. They’re Avoiding Conflict in Your Relationship

Sometimes, people turn to affairs as a way to avoid dealing with problems in their main relationship. Instead of facing tough issues or admitting the relationship might be falling apart, they look for comfort elsewhere.

6. They’re Trying to Escape Reality

Life can get overwhelming sometimes — feeling stressed, family conflicts, or too much pressure at work can make people feel like they need an escape.

7. They Have Unmet Needs

When a person’s emotional or physical needs go unmet in their primary relationship, they may seek fulfilment elsewhere. 

This can manifest in the form of an affair, which might serve as an attempt to satisfy needs for affection, attention, or intimacy that they feel are lacking.

8. They’re an Opportunistic Cheater

Opportunistic cheaters aren’t out there actively looking for affairs. Instead, they take advantage of situations where infidelity just kind of… happens. 

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9. They’re Exploring Their Identity

Sometimes, an affair happens because someone is trying to figure out who they are or deal with unresolved personal issues. It often comes from a place of inner conflict or dissatisfaction that they might not fully understand or know how to handle.