- Women only
- Friendship, not dating
- Free to join
- Local guide
- October 17, 2026
Make Friends in Preston: A Guide to the City's Social Life
More than one in ten Preston residents is aged 18 to 24, well above the regional 9%, helped by a large university close to the city centre.
164,000+
residents in Preston at mid-2025 (ONS estimate)
11%
of Preston residents are aged 18 to 24, against 9% in the North West (ONS mid-2025)
22%
of Preston homes are privately rented, above the regional 19% (Census 2021, ONS)
Preston rewards the regulars
To make friends in Preston, commit to one activity that happens every week and stay long enough to become a regular. Avenham and Miller Parks, the Guild Wheel and the market hall all make easy meeting points, and clubs, classes and talks run across the city through the year. On Gofrendly, women in Preston can find nearby women who want steady plans as well.
Preston, in questions
Is Preston only a student city?
No. The University of Central Lancashire brings many students to Preston, but plenty of people who live in the city are not students. Clubs, community groups, gyms and classes are open to everyone, and Preston is small enough that regular activities quickly bring familiar faces.
Is there a long walking route around Preston?
The Guild Wheel is a 21-mile walking and cycling route that loops around Preston, through parks, riverside paths and countryside. You can do short sections at a time, which makes it a good regular plan with a new friend, on foot or by bike.
Where can women meet new people in Preston?
On Gofrendly, the women-only friendship app, women near you in Preston show up, so you can spot shared interests and message before meeting. Running clubs, evening classes and volunteering add face-to-face chances, especially when they meet every week and give you time to get to know people properly.
What are good places for a first meet-up in Preston?
In Preston, a coffee at the market, a walk through Avenham and Miller Parks or a stroll around the marina at Preston Docks all work well. They are public, relaxed and easy to turn into a longer plan if the conversation is going well.
Preston's social scene
Preston became a city in 2002 and has a big student presence, thanks to the University of Central Lancashire on the edge of the city centre. That brings a younger crowd and a busy calendar of gigs, sport and classes, but Preston is also a market town at heart, with a covered market and long-established neighbourhoods. Both sides are useful when you want to meet people: there is plenty going on, and it is small enough that faces start repeating quickly.
More than one in ten residents are aged 18 to 24 and over a fifth of homes are privately rented, both above the North West average. For anyone outside the student world, it can feel as if everyone else already has their group, which is a lonely place to start from. Look for clubs and classes that are open to all ages, and pick one that meets weekly. Some starting points:
1
Avenham and Miller Parks, two Victorian riverside parks just south of the city centre.
2
The Guild Wheel, a 21-mile walking and cycling route that circles the city.
3
Preston Market, with food stalls and independent traders under a restored Victorian canopy.
4
Moor Park, one of the city’s largest green spaces, with sports pitches and open walking routes.
5
Preston Docks and the marina, a calm place for a walk and a coffee by the water.
LOCAL TIP
Choose one, go back the following week, and see who you recognise.
How to
How to meet people in Preston
1
Walk or cycle a section of the Guild Wheel with a group, or make one stretch your regular weekend loop.
2
Try an evening class or a sports club that runs through the year, so the same group keeps meeting week after week.
3
Connect with women close by on Gofrendly and meet for a coffee at the market.
4
Go to a home match at Deepdale or a gig in the city, and make it a regular outing with someone you meet.
On friendship, and how it grows
Our editorial team
This Preston page was written by Gofrendly founders Claudia Gård and Ulrika Lilja together with the editors, and it focuses on the parks, the Guild Wheel and the weekly clubs where women can become regulars.
Friendship looks different at every stage
More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.
Friendship looks different at every stage
More guides for women in this area – each with its own local advice.
Find women near you
See who’s nearby and say hi — it’s free to start.