- Women only
- Friendship, not dating
- Free to join
- Local guide
- October 19, 2026
Make Friends in Crosby, among the iron men on the beach
Close to 23% of Crosby people have reached 65, more than the North West share, so daytime groups suit many residents here.
50,200+
people counted in the Crosby built-up area, including Waterloo (Census 2021, ONS)
23%
of residents in four Crosby wards are aged 65-plus; North West: 19% (ONS, Census 2021)
38%
of homes across Crosby’s four wards are fully paid off by their owners, against 33% for the North West (ONS)
Crosby Library has a group most weekdays
Crosby Library in Waterloo runs an art group on Wednesdays, a craft group and Shared Reading on Thursdays and a chess club on Monday afternoons, so it is easy to make friends in Crosby. Crosby parkrun starts at the leisure centre on Mariners Road, near the 100 Another Place figures along the beach. Crosby women can also link up on Gofrendly.
Crosby: what readers ask us
What groups meet at Crosby Library?
Crosby Library on Crosby Road North runs chair-based exercise and adult chess on Mondays, an art group on Wednesdays, a craft group and Shared Reading on Thursdays, a monthly poetry group and Tea and Tunes on the last Friday. It suits Crosby residents who prefer daytime company.
What is Another Place on Crosby beach?
Another Place is a permanent installation by Antony Gormley of 100 cast-iron figures spread along about three kilometres of Crosby beach since 2005. Sefton Council advises keeping near the promenade because of soft sand and mud. It makes a memorable walk with a Crosby friend.
Where does Crosby parkrun start?
Crosby parkrun starts at Crosby Leisure Centre on Mariners Road at 9am every Saturday and follows the coastal park near the beach. Walkers are welcome, and the leisure centre is handy for a warm drink afterwards with other Crosby regulars.
Retired in Crosby: where do new friendships start?
Gofrendly, a women-only friendship app, helps retired women in Crosby discover others close by and set up a first meeting. A walk among the Another Place figures on the beach or a morning at the library art group is a pleasant plan to propose.
Crosby, a seaside town north of Liverpool
Crosby stretches along the Sefton coast north of Liverpool, taking in Waterloo, Blundellsands and Thornton, with Antony Gormley’s cast-iron figures standing on the sands since 2005. In its four wards, almost 23% of people are aged 65 or over and about 38% of homes are owned outright, both above the North West averages. With so many residents over 65, daytime groups at the library are a natural fit.
Life after retirement or after children leave home can feel lonely. Crosby Coastal Park has the Lakeside Adventure Centre with water sports and a bistro, the library holds a poetry group on the first Wednesday and Tea and Tunes on the last Friday, and Crosby Leisure Centre has two pools. Victoria Park and Coronation Park offer quieter walks inland, and Shared Reading on Thursday afternoons is another gentle option. Crosby parkrun follows the beach and promenade from the leisure centre each Saturday. Places to try:
1
Crosby Library on Crosby Road North, with groups on most weekdays.
2
Another Place, 100 iron figures along three kilometres of beach.
3
Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, with water sports and a bistro.
4
Crosby Leisure Centre on Mariners Road, with two pools.
5
Crosby parkrun, starting at the leisure centre every Saturday at 9am.
LOCAL TIP
Tea and Tunes on the last Friday morning is a cheerful start.
How to
Crosby: friendship ideas by the coast
1
Join the Wednesday art group at Crosby Library and bring a sketchbook.
2
Walk the promenade past the iron men with a new acquaintance.
3
Use Gofrendly to line up a Lakeside bistro lunch with a Crosby woman.
4
Try chess for adults at the library on a Monday afternoon.
A UK month for friendship, and a real story
Crosby guide, written by
Our editors teamed up with founders Claudia Gård and Ulrika Lilja to write this Crosby guide for women on the Sefton coast who have retired, seen children leave home or simply want more 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.
Find women near you
See who’s nearby and say hi — it’s free to start.