How to Meet Someone Without Online Dating in the UK

Co-authored by Christina Jay, NLP and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: April 18, 2022 References

Are you tired of reading bios and swiping in hopes of connecting with someone? We get it! It might seem like everyone is using dating apps, but you're not alone—more and more folks in the United Kingdom are looking to make real-life connections. In this article, we'll give you plenty of tips for how to meet someone new and expand your social circle without relying on technology.

1

Head to the pub or local coffee shop.

These are great places to make small talk with new people. Sure, it's not a super original way to meet someone, but the truth is, pubs and coffee shops are bustling places where you're sure to meet someone.^{[1]
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Christina Jay, NLP
Dating & Relationship Coach
Expert Interview. 11 February 2020.} It's also really easy to put yourself out there—strike up a casual conversation or offer to buy someone's drink.^{[2]
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- Keep in mind that you'll have better luck meeting new people in bigger settings. If you live in a smaller city, you might want to drive to the closest urban center one weekend, so you have better odds of meeting someone.

2

Spend time at the dog park.

Chatting with other dog owners is a great way to break the ice. Chances are, if you go to the same park, you'll probably start to recognize the same dog owners spending time there. Then, it's just up to you to walk over and start chatting.^{[3]
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- You might say, "Hi, I'm Oliver. I've seen you here a few times. That's my dog running over towards yours," and see where the conversation goes.
- Don't have a dog? Just go for walks in the park! You'll still get a great opportunity to socialize while you get some fresh air.

3

Check local events to meet new people.

Most community centers or neighborhood groups publish an events calendar. This might be posted online or you can walk around your neighborhood to look for fliers. Free or low-cost events are fantastic ways to meet people that you might run into when you're around town.^{[4]
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- For instance, you might check out a local holiday fair, catch a concert put on by the community center, or attend a neighborhood social in the park.
- Art galleries and museums frequently have social events on the weekend, especially in bigger cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds, or Glasgow.

4

Work out at the gym or join a sport team.

These are great places to meet other active individuals. Working out or joining a team gets you regular socialization at the gym or park, so it's easier to start a conversation with someone.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Christina Jay, NLP
Dating & Relationship Coach
Expert Interview. 11 February 2020.} If you join a team, you'll also be able to develop relationships while getting competitive and having a good time.^{[6]
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- For something with a little less commitment, try simply running every weekend. If you hit the same parts of the city or park, you're bound to see familiar faces over time and that makes it easier to start up a conversation.

5

Join a social club to meet new people.

These clubs put you in touch with tons of like-minded folks. You can use a site like Meetup or you can check your local council's website. Some groups form around a common theme like university affiliation or religious affiliation so check with the club to see if you're eligible to join. Once you're in, you'll be invited to club events where you can meet loads of new people.^{[7]
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- You might join a group of Manchester newcomers who are looking to make friends.
- Try doing a web search for your city and age group. If you're in Plymouth, you might see a Beer and Banter! group or a Plymouth 20s and 30s social group.
- If you're religious, find faith-based social groups within your community. Many churches or temples have youth groups for young singles.

6

Pursue your hobbies or passions.

It's easier to chat up someone new if they have similar interests. If you've been meaning to take that cooking class, enroll in a foreign language course, or join a book club, go for it. By spending your time doing things you're genuinely into, you'll come off as passionate and interesting.^{[8]
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- You'll probably find that it's a lot easier to start talking with someone if it's about something that fascinates you. For instance, if you're taking a Spanish course, you might tell someone that you'd love to travel to Mexico one day. They might respond by telling you about their trip to Mexico City, and you can go from there.

7

Meet someone through your network of friends.

Ask your friends to set you up on a date or introduce you to new people.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Christina Jay, NLP
Dating & Relationship Coach
Expert Interview. 11 February 2020.} Most friends love to play matchmaker! They might immediately know of someone you'd hit it off with or they can host social events where you can meet lots of new people in a familiar setting.^{[10]
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- For example, "Are you throwing a birthday party for Jane? I'd love to meet some new people. Do you think you could invite a bunch of your mates?"

8

Chat with your co-workers.

You might find that you have a lot in common with someone you work with. After all, similar goals or passions may have landed you both at your current jobs. So, the next time you're killing time in the break room, make a point of talking with whoever's there.^{[11]
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- Co-workers can get to know you really well, so they might also be great matchmakers. You could say, "Do you know anyone I might hit it off with? Could you put us in touch?"

9

Volunteer to get out of your comfort zone.

Meet new people while doing something good for others. If you feel like you keep meeting the same group of people, it might be time to try something different. Think about something that you're passionate about and find a way to volunteer your time.^{[12]
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- For example, if you love gardening, check out community allotments where you could grow things. If you love history, see if the National Trust is accepting volunteers at a nearby site.

10

Say yes to invitations and events.

Developing an open mentality can help you expand socially. It's really easy to fall into a routine where you rarely get out of your comfort zone. The next time a friend asks you to do something, even if it's last-minute, say yes! This is especially important if you don't live in a big city and you're less likely to run into new people on your own.^{[13]
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- For instance, if your friend rings you and wants to meet you for a quick drink or to catch a concert together, say yes!

11

Use open language so you look approachable.

Try making eye contact, smiling, and keeping your arms uncrossed. This way, people feel more comfortable talking with you. It also signals your interest that you'd like to say hi. Try this the next time you're walking down the street, commuting to work, or buying groceries, etc.
- Don't forget to unplug and put down your phone! Take your headphones out and put your phone away, so you can notice people around you. They're also more likely to approach you if you don't seem busy or closed off.^{[14]
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