Looking to make new friends in Cambridge? Meet friendly locals for relaxed meet-ups, walks, coffee chats and shared interests — one step at a time.
Established in 2005, Drinking Partners is one of the UK’s longest-running platforms for meeting new people and building genuine friendships.
Cambridge has lots of newcomers — students, researchers and professionals — but that doesn’t always translate into easy friendships. People are busy, routines change, and it can be hard to find your circle outside work or study. Drinking Partners helps you connect with people nearby who are also looking to meet new friends.
It’s for socialising, not dating. Start with a chat, find shared interests, and meet up in a relaxed way when it feels right — a coffee, a walk, or a simple plan around the city.
Cambridge attracts people for work, study and research, which means plenty of locals are new at different stages of life. Even so, it can take time to move from friendly chats to real friendships — especially when schedules are busy and routines are set. Whether you’re based in the City Centre, around Chesterton, in Romsey, near Cherry Hinton or over in Newnham, it’s easy to connect with people nearby who are also open to making new friends. Many connections start simply — a coffee, a short walk, or a low-key plan that fits around work and everyday life. Cambridge also overlaps with nearby places like Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots and Peterborough, so you may meet people who live outside the city but spend time here. Drinking Partners helps you meet people locally and take things one step at a time — no pressure, no expectations, just comfortable connections that feel natural.
Making friends as an adult can feel awkward — especially in a city like Cambridge, where people are busy and routines can be set around work or study. Drinking Partners keeps things simple, relaxed and pressure-free, without the need for large groups or organised events.
Take things at your own pace and connect in a way that feels comfortable for you.
Whether you have just moved to Cambridge or want to widen your circle, it is straightforward to meet local people here.
Follow these steps to connect over shared interests, message freely and plan meet that feel comfortable.
It only takes a few minutes to get started:
To get the most out of Drinking Partners and begin to meet new people in Cambridge, follow these simple steps:
Share a short intro about yourself and what you enjoy around Cambridge. Pick your interests so locals know how to start the conversation.
Add a recent photo to help people recognise you. Profiles with clear photos get more replies and appear higher in local results.
Use GPS search or filter by neighbourhoods across Cambridge to find people nearby. Save your favourite profiles and searches for quick access.
Messaging is free, so say hello to people with similar interests. Swap a few messages to see if you get on and keep the pace relaxed.
Set alerts for new people near you, message reads and profile views. Pause notifications or hide your profile whenever you need a break.
When you are ready, suggest meeting in a cafe, park or another public place. Group settings, activities and daytime meet keep things relaxed and safe.
A quick call or video chat first can help break the ice and make meeting up feel natural. You’re always in control — choose who you talk to, take things at your own pace, and only meet when you’re comfortable.
Short, practical guides to help you meet people and make new friends without the pressure.
Real people in Cambridge looking to make new friends right now:
55 years old
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“Hi all. I work in Cambridge and surroundings…”
61 years old
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“I live near Newmarket but work in Cambridge…”
26 years old
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“Newish to Cambridge and down for some tomfoolery…”
55 years old
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“Looking to meet new friends, I live south…”
24 years old
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“I've move to Cambridge hoping to meet new…”
49 years old
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“Love mountains, small places that sell amazing food,…”
There’s no single way to make friends — people connect in all sorts of everyday ways.
Pick an idea and start a conversation that suits you.
Cambridge is busy, so coffee meet-ups work well — they’re easy to fit around work or study and feel relaxed for a first in-person chat.
Explore →A walk by the River Cam or across Parker’s Piece is a great first meet — it stays informal, gives you breathing room, and it’s easy to fit around a busy week.
Explore →Shared interests are a shortcut to real connection. Classes, learning and hobby-based meet-ups help you meet people you’ll actually enjoy spending time with.
Explore →If you prefer quieter plans, Cambridge suits you: museums, cinema nights, talks and local events give you a shared focus and make first meets feel natural.
Explore →Answers to common questions about making friends and meeting people in Cambridge.
Yes — plenty of people in Cambridge are here for work and research as well as study. A lot of friendships form outside the student bubble through coffee meet-ups, walks, and shared interests that fit around work routines.
People can be busy and schedules fill up quickly, so friendships often grow through repeatable plans. Starting with a simple coffee or walk, then meeting again around a shared interest, usually works best.
Coffee, a short riverside walk, or a relaxed daytime plan are popular choices. They’re public, low-pressure and easy to fit into a busy week.
No. Drinking Partners is designed for friendship and socialising, not dating. You can chat first, connect over shared interests and take things at your own pace.
Want more tips? Read How to make friends after moving to a new city.
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