- Women only
- Friendship, not dating
- Free to join
- Local guide
- October 21, 2026
Make Friends After 40 in Richmond upon Thames between nights out and nights in
Close to 16% of people in Richmond upon Thames are forty-somethings, and its libraries host early-evening reading groups almost every week.
30,900+
Richmond upon Thames residents between 40 and 49, based on ONS estimates for mid-2025
16%
of Richmond upon Thames is forty-something, well clear of the London figure (ONS, 2025)
30%
Richmond upon Thames homes owned outright, versus 21% for the capital (ONS, Census 2021)
Richmond upon Thames has evenings that end by nine
Not every evening in your 40s needs to be a big night out, and Richmond upon Thames has calmer options too. Library reading groups meet from 5.30pm or 6pm in Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and Whitton, Teddington Choral Society takes singers without an audition, and Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham charges nothing to visit. Gofrendly helps Richmond upon Thames women find neighbours who enjoy unhurried evenings.
Richmond upon Thames after 40: FAQ
Which Richmond upon Thames libraries hold evening book groups?
Richmond Library hosts groups at 6pm on the third Wednesday and 5.30pm on the last Monday, Twickenham Library at 6pm on the fourth Wednesday, Whitton at 6pm on the last Wednesday and Teddington at 5.30pm on the last Monday, so Richmond upon Thames readers have plenty of choice.
Is there an adult college in Richmond upon Thames?
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult and Community College on Parkshot, two minutes from Richmond station, offers daytime, evening and weekend courses in art and design, languages, performing arts and music, and dance and wellbeing. The 2026–27 guide to its courses is online for Richmond upon Thames learners.
Can a woman in her late 40s join a Richmond upon Thames choir without auditioning?
Teddington Choral Society rehearses weekly on Mondays at St Catherine’s School on Cross Deep in Twickenham, and no audition is required, only a short voice test for placing. It welcomes new members, so Richmond upon Thames singers of any background can join.
Where can Richmond upon Thames women find friends for quieter evenings?
Gofrendly, a women-only friendship app, helps Richmond upon Thames women find neighbours and write to someone who would rather meet for an early exhibition than a late bar. A visit to Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham is a natural first plan.
Friendship at a gentler pace in Richmond upon Thames
Richmond upon Thames spans both banks of the river, from Barnes, Mortlake and Kew through Richmond and Twickenham to Teddington, Hampton and Whitton. Forty-somethings account for nearly 16% of Richmond upon Thames, above the London figure, and 30% of households own their homes outright. If your social life has settled into dinners at home and the occasional big birthday, you are not alone, and to make friends after 40 here it helps to find something in between to come back to every week.
A quiet weeknight in can turn lonely if every night looks the same. An early-evening book group, a Monday choir, an art gallery or a course gives you company without a late finish or a big bill. The borough has early-evening reading groups at several libraries, an adult college by Richmond station, a free gallery in Twickenham and a heated outdoor pool in Hampton that never shuts. Places to try:
1
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult and Community College, on Parkshot by the station.
2
Teddington Choral Society, rehearsing on Mondays in Twickenham.
3
Richmond Library, where reading groups meet on Wednesday and Monday evenings.
4
Hampton Pool, a heated outdoor pool on Hampton High Street that never closes for winter.
5
Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham, free from Tuesday to Sunday.
LOCAL TIP
Join an early-evening book group and still be home for dinner.
How to
Richmond upon Thames: meeting people without the late nights
1
Choose a library reading group that starts at 5.30pm or 6pm near you.
2
Sing with Teddington Choral Society on a Monday; no audition is needed.
3
Contact Richmond upon Thames women on Gofrendly and see an exhibition at Orleans House.
4
Take an evening art or language course at the college by Richmond station.
Two pieces for the in-between evenings
Richmond upon Thames, written for the middle ground
Gofrendly founders Claudia Gård and Ulrika Lilja and our writers created the Richmond upon Thames page for readers who prefer a book group or a gallery to a late bar but still want company.
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.
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