With Valentine’s Day just round the corner, a UK charity has drawn up a shortlist for the five most romantic urban strolls. Living Streets, the charity for everyday walking, asked 15,000 people what was their favourite British town or city for a walk – and why. The five destinations nominated are Glasgow, Chester, London, Oxford and Scarborough. Now it is up to the public to vote for the most romantic urban walking city as voting opens today for one week. The results will be announced by February 14, 2016.

Top 5 romantic urban walks

The nominations showed there are many lovely places to walk in urban Britain. Here is a selection of what people said about their most romantic walks.

Chester

[caption id="attachment_19076" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Chester Cathedral.[/caption] "My nominated most romantic walk is a walk around the Chester city wall. This is a lovely walk which takes in the cathedral and green areas around the city, and remains of Roman buildings, a view of the canal and railway not to mention the lovely shopping areas in Chester itself."

Glasgow

[caption id="attachment_19074" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A bridge across the River Clyde.[/caption] “I had a lovely walk with a lovely guy, Jim in early 2011. He was showing me the sights of Glasgow. During the walk, we stopped to admire the magnificence of the Clyde from one of the bridges. I have always had a keen eye for wildlife, and I spotted a Kingfisher darting across the water. It was the first time Jim had seen a kingfisher.” You could visit Glasgow and take in a walk along the famous River Clyde before or after a walking holiday on the West Highland Way.

London

[caption id="attachment_19075" align="aligncenter" width="600"] London Embankment.[/caption] "The Embankment in London, opposite Temple tube station, walking along the Thames, is I where proposed to my girlfriend in 1962, who said yes. We married in 1963.”

Oxford

[caption id="attachment_19077" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Bridge of Sighs, Oxford.[/caption] The nominated walk takes in many city attractions, including the Bodleian Library and Museum of Science, “under the serious gaze of philosophers of old”, the Bridge of Sighs, Turf Tavern, “a classic student trysting and drinking spot”, the playful New College animal gargoyles (“look out for the cheeky monkey” and the Botanical Gardens. You'll visit Oxford if you book the Shakespeare's Way walking holiday.

Scarborough

[caption id="attachment_19079" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Scarborough harbour.[/caption] “Walk from Scarborough Sea Life centre along the seafront and cliffs, pass Scarborough Spa Theatre and finish at The Clock Cafe for a cup of tea and the best homemade scones”. The Cleveland Way self-guided walking tour heads through the seaside town of Scarborough.

Walking for the love of it

Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland said: “Walking with a loved one, in a group or with family and friends, can do wonders for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing. Hopefully our Valentine’s vote will inspire more people to get out and do the suggested walks for themselves or find a favourite romantic walk of their own.” Voting opens today for one week. See Livings Street Romantic Walk Vote.