Looking to make new friends in Canterbury? From the City Centre to Westgate and St Dunstan’s, this page helps you connect with local people for easy, low‑key get‑togethers.
Established in 2005, Drinking Partners is one of the UK’s longest‑running platforms for meeting new people and building genuine friendships.
Canterbury has a steady, welcoming feel, but adult social circles can still stay small once routines settle. If you’re new to the area, working locally, or your friends are in different life stages, it often takes a deliberate first step to meet new people.
Drinking Partners makes that first step simple. Message people nearby, chat at your pace, then meet locally for an easy plan — coffee, a walk, or a relaxed catch‑up.
Create a free profile, browse nearby people and say hello when someone sounds like your kind of person.
Meet people for coffee, walks, cinema, lunch, gigs or relaxed everyday plans around Canterbury.
Chat privately first, keep things relaxed, and only arrange a meet-up or group-style plan when you feel ready.
Making friends across Canterbury often starts with calm, familiar plans. A coffee in the City Centre, a stroll along the River Stour, or a relaxed catch‑up near Westgate keeps things comfortable. Start with a short, public first meet that’s easy to time‑box, then follow up with another simple plan if you click. Meeting locally makes it far more likely you’ll see each other again — and repeat meet‑ups are where friendships form.
Making friends as an adult can feel awkward — especially when everyday routines in Canterbury are already set. 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 Canterbury, work from home, or simply want to widen your social circle, Drinking Partners helps you find people nearby and start relaxed local conversations.
Follow these steps to connect over shared interests, message freely and plan meet-ups that feel comfortable, public and pressure-free.
It only takes a few minutes to get started:
To get the most out of Drinking Partners and begin to meet new people in Canterbury, follow these simple steps:
Share a short intro about yourself, where you are based in or around Canterbury, and the kinds of relaxed plans you enjoy — coffee, walks, cinema, fitness, lunch or weekend catch-ups.
Add a recent photo to help people recognise you. Profiles with clear photos feel more trustworthy, get more replies and appear higher in local results.
Use GPS search or filter by nearby areas to find people close to you. Save your favourite profiles and searches so it is easy to return to promising local matches.
Messaging is free, so say hello to people with similar interests. Mention a simple local plan you would enjoy and swap a few messages before arranging anything in person.
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 a simple public meet-up such as coffee, a daytime walk, a casual lunch, cinema trip or another relaxed plan somewhere you both feel comfortable.
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.
These are people in and around Canterbury who are looking to make new friends. Join free to say hello, browse more members and start chatting at your own pace.
27 years old
Canterbury, Kent
“New to Canterbury, relocated for work. Looking to…”
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.
Choose an easy outdoor meet where conversation flows naturally and you can keep the timing flexible. Meeting somewhere open and familiar helps take the edge off and makes it simple to suggest a second catch‑up if you get on.
Explore →Start with an easy central catch‑up in the City Centre or near Westgate — short, convenient and simple to fit around your day. A compact first plan also makes it easier to meet again soon and build momentum.
Explore →Try a daytime meet that suits Canterbury — a walk and browse by the River Stour, a stop at The Goods Shed, or a gentle wander through the City Centre. Having something happening around you keeps it natural and makes it easier to suggest meeting again.
Explore →Evenings work best when they’re understated — a comfortable local spot in or near the City Centre where you can chat easily. Keeping it calm helps you build connection without the pressure of doing something ‘big’.
Explore →Answers to common questions about making friends and meeting people in Canterbury.
Yes. Canterbury’s size and walkability make it easy to meet locally and see people again. Simple plans like coffee, walks and relaxed meals are a strong way to build real friendships.
Popular options include cafés in the City Centre, riverside walks along the Stour, and easy local spots around Westgate or St Dunstan’s. Public, familiar places keep first meets comfortable.
Message a few locals with shared interests, then suggest a simple first plan in a central, public spot. Keeping it light and time‑boxed makes it easier to meet again and build momentum.
It’s designed for meeting people and making friends. Many members simply want local company and social connection without dating expectations.
Yes. Drinking Partners is for friendship and socialising, not dating. In Canterbury, you can use it to chat with local people first, then suggest something simple and public such as coffee around City Centre, Cathedral area, Westgate and St Dunstan’s, a walk, lunch or a relaxed daytime catch-up.
Working from home can make it harder to meet people naturally in Canterbury, especially if your week is built around the same few routines. Start with a short message, look for people near City Centre, Cathedral area, Westgate and St Dunstan’s, and suggest an easy plan that fits your day, such as a lunchtime coffee, after-work walk or weekend catch-up.
Want more tips? Read How to make friends after moving to a new city.
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