Making new friends in London: Ways to meet people

How to meet new people and make friends in London

If you're new to not just London, but the UK, then meeting people and making new friends may feel like a daunting task. But don't worry, there are 9 million people living in London and plenty of ways to make new friends.

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Friends of friends 👯‍♂️

Because London is such a massive place that people come from all around the world to live in, there is a good chance a friend of yours will have friends in London that you can meet. Best of all, because they're already your friend, there is a good chance you will get along with their friends. Making new friends through friends of friends is one of the most common ways new Londoners find their mates. Don't be shy to ask your friends if they know anyone they could introduce you to. This is a great way to expand your social circle and meet new people.

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Housemates 🏡

When moving into your new place in London, a key consideration should be how much you like your new housemates. For many new Londoners, their new flatshare is a great way to make friends. It's not uncommon for London houseshares to embrace the social side of living together having regular social events like attending a pub quiz or movie nights.

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Colleagues 🤝

Making friends through work is a common way to expand your social circle in London. Because pub culture is so popular in London, there is a good chance your new colleagues will invite you to the pub after work. Joining work-related clubs or groups, such as a sports team or book club. This can be a great way to meet colleagues who share similar interests outside of work. Don't be afraid to make friends with your colleagues in London, this is a common way Londoners meet people.

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Playing sport ⚽️

Getting involved in team sports is a great way to stay active and make some friends along the way. Most team sports are organised by a company called Go Mammoth, and you can join as an individual or a team. No matter what your skill level, they’ve got a sport for you, including rounders, dodgeball and ultimate frisbee. Some workplaces will pay for or sponsor team sports, so it’s worth checking in with your office to see if your colleagues already have a team together. 

Attend events and meetups 👋

London has a bustling events and meetup scene, with something happening almost every day. Meetup is a great resource to find events in your area and to meet people with similar interests.

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Book clubs 📕

Book clubs can be a great way to bond over a book (and a drink!). There are lots of local book clubs peppered around London which can be found on social media. Waterstones the bookshop also hosts monthly and genre book clubs in their shops, just pick the one that’s most convenient for you. 

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Volunteering 🤗

Volunteering can be a great way to give back to your new community and make some friends along the way. Most boroughs will have a dedicated website for local volunteering opportunities that you can sign up to. 

Here are some of our favourites:

• Good Gym: Good Gym combines getting fit with community projects. You and a team of volunteers will run, walk or cycle to a location where you’ll roll up your sleeves and plant trees, sort cans at a food bank or help someone in need with household tasks. 
• Foodcycle: Remember Ready Steady Cook on TV? Foodcycle is that, but for the community! A team of volunteers saves food from going to waste and turns it into a three-course meal for the community. 
• City Farms: Despite being one of the biggest cities in the world, London has green roots. There are city farms in Kentish Town, Haggerston, Vauxhall, Stepney and Mudchute where you can volunteer for a day out with the animals. 
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Take a class 👩‍🏫

Taking a class is a great way to make friends in London, as you'll be surrounded by people who share a common interest. Look for classes in your area that interest you, whether it's a language course, dance class, or cooking lesson. You'll not only learn something new, but also have the opportunity to meet people who share your passions. Don't be afraid to strike up conversations with your classmates, and consider organising group outings or study sessions outside of class. With a bit of effort, you can turn your class into a social hub and make new friends in no time.

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Social media 📲

It's not hard to find who have moved to London from abroad on social media. Groups like Aussies in London, Kiwis in London and Canadians in London are full of adventurous travellers like yourself. It's not uncommon for people to write posts in these groups explaining that they are new to the city and looking for people to hang out with.

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