Where to Meet Single Men Over 60 in the UK

“Where are all the single men?” It’s one of the questions women over 60 ask most often, on forums such as Gransnet and Mumsnet, among friends, and on first dates. Many say that the activities they enjoy, such as book clubs, choirs, art classes and u3a groups, are full of women, and that dating sites seem to have far more women than men in their age group.

There’s some truth in this. In older age groups there are more single women than single men in the UK, largely because women tend to live longer and men are more likely to remarry after divorce or bereavement. But single men over 60 do exist, and plenty of them would like to meet someone. The key is knowing where they tend to spend their time, and how to put yourself in the right places.

This guide covers the best places to meet single men over 60 in the UK, both offline and online, with practical tips for each. There’s also a section at the end for men looking to meet single women over 60.

The short answer

There are more single women than men over 60, but single men are out there. You may need to look in different places.
Men are more likely to be found in activity-based groups: sport, walking, cycling, sailing, volunteering, practical hobbies and clubs.
Men's Sheds, walking football, golf and bowls clubs, and volunteering at sports clubs and heritage railways are all male-heavy settings.
Mixed activities such as dance classes, bridge clubs and walking groups offer a good balance of men and women.
On dating sites, men over 60 are often less active. Being proactive and sending the first message helps.
Friends and family remain one of the most effective routes, so let people know you're open to meeting someone.

Why it can seem hard to meet single men over 60

Before looking at where to meet men, it helps to understand why it can feel so difficult.

Numbers. Women live longer on average, so among people in their seventies and older, there are more widowed women than widowed men.
Remarriage. Men who are widowed or divorced are, on average, more likely to remarry or re-partner, and often sooner.
Different social habits. Many men of this generation have smaller social networks than women and are less likely to join groups or classes. They may rely on a partner to organise their social life.
Different interests. Many groups popular with women over 60, such as book clubs, craft groups and choirs, attract fewer men.
Online behaviour. Many men over 60 have profiles on dating sites but log in rarely, and some men prefer to be approached.

The good news is that this also points to the solution. Men over 60 are more likely to be found in activity-based and practical settings, and many are lonely and would welcome company.

Places where men over 60 often spend their time

Men’s Sheds

Men’s Sheds are community spaces where people, mostly older men, get together to make, mend and chat. There are hundreds of them across the UK, supported by the UK Men’s Sheds Association. Most are aimed at men, though some welcome women or run mixed sessions. They’re not a dating venue, but they’re worth knowing about. If you have a friend or relative who is a single man and isolated, a Men’s Shed may help him build his confidence and social life. And some sheds run open days, community events and projects that anyone can join.

Sports clubs

Golf clubs. Many have a large membership of older men, and most run mixed competitions and social events. Some offer beginner lessons and taster sessions.
Bowls clubs. Popular with men and women over 60, with a strong social side.
Walking football and walking netball. Walking football, in particular, is very popular with men over 50. Clubs often have social events and welcome supporters.
Tennis and pickleball. Pickleball has grown quickly in the UK, is easy to pick up and is very sociable, with mixed doubles common.
Cycling clubs. Many have leisurely social rides with a café stop.
Sailing and rowing clubs. Often have a strong social side, and many welcome volunteers and crew.

Walking and outdoor groups

Walking groups such as those run by the Ramblers attract a good mix of men and women. Many men over 60 enjoy walking but wouldn’t join a class or club. Longer or more challenging walks often have more men. Conservation volunteering, such as path maintenance, hedge laying and tree planting with local wildlife trusts or the National Trust, is also popular with older men.

Practical and technical hobbies

Men over 60 are often drawn to hobbies with a practical or technical element:

model railways and heritage railway volunteering;
vintage car, motorbike and tractor clubs;
photography clubs;
amateur astronomy societies;
woodworking, repair cafés and restoration projects;
fishing clubs;
local history and archaeology groups.

Heritage railways and repair cafés, in particular, welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and are a good way to meet people in a relaxed setting.

Volunteering

Volunteering roles that attract a good number of men include:

driving for community transport schemes;
stewarding at festivals, sports events and heritage sites;
helping at sports clubs;
lifeboat station shop and fundraising roles;
charity shops that sell books, records or furniture;
mentoring and school reading schemes.

Pubs, quizzes and bridge

A regular pub quiz is one of the easiest ways to become part of a group. Many teams welcome new members. Bridge clubs attract both men and women, and most run lessons for beginners and social duplicate sessions where you partner with different people. Chess clubs and darts leagues are also popular with older men.

Mixed activities with a good balance of men and women

Some activities attract both men and women in similar numbers, which makes them good places to meet people naturally.

Dance classes. Ballroom, Latin, ceroc and salsa classes usually rotate partners, so you meet everyone. Many have more women than men, but men who dance are often very sociable.
Bridge clubs. Sociable, mentally stimulating and popular with both sexes.
Walking groups. Usually a good mix, especially on longer walks.
Language classes and u3a groups. Some u3a groups, such as those on history, science, walking, wine or technology, attract more men than others.
Cookery classes. Increasingly popular with men, especially those who were widowed and want to learn to cook for themselves.
Singles supper clubs and events for over-55s, where organisers aim to balance numbers.
Group holidays. Some tour operators run trips for solo travellers over 50, often with a mix of men and women. Check the typical age range and whether there’s a single supplement.

Online dating: finding men over 60

Dating sites and apps can widen your pool considerably, but many women over 60 say the men on them are less active than the women. Here’s how to make the most of them.

Choose sites with more older members

Over-50s services such as SilverSingles and OurTime, and large paid sites such as Match and eHarmony, tend to have more members over 60 than mainstream apps like Hinge and Bumble. Our Dating App Matcher can help you choose based on your age and what you’re looking for.

Be proactive

Many men over 60 on dating sites don’t send many messages. Some are shy, some are out of practice, and some assume women prefer to be approached. Don’t wait. Send a friendly, specific first message: “I see you enjoy walking in the Peak District. Have you done the Edale circuit?” is far more likely to get a reply than “Hi”.

Widen your filters

If you’re only searching within a narrow age range or distance, you may be filtering out good matches. Try adding a few years at either end, and consider extending the distance, especially if you live somewhere rural. Our guide to age gaps after 50 explores what’s realistic.

Write a warm, specific profile

A profile that mentions activities and interests gives men something to respond to. Include photos of you doing things you enjoy. Our profile examples for women over 50 and guide to dating profile photos can help.

Stay alert to scams

Romance scammers often pose as men over 60, typically widowers working overseas, in the military or as engineers or doctors. Be wary of anyone who won’t video call, moves very fast or asks for money. Our guide to military romance scams explains one of the most common scripts.

Friends, family and community

Many women over 60 meet partners through friends, family and their existing community. It’s worth making an effort here.

Tell people you’re open to meeting someone. Friends often know single men but assume you’re not interested.
Say yes to invitations, even when you don’t feel like it: birthday parties, barbecues, christenings and neighbourhood events.
Host something yourself. A garden party, supper or quiz night where each guest brings a friend quickly widens your circle.
Get involved locally. Parish councils, residents’ associations, church groups and community events all bring people together.

A practical plan

If you’d like to meet more single men, a simple plan could look like this:

Pick one activity with more men, such as a walking football supporters’ group, golf lessons, a heritage railway or a repair café.
Pick one mixed activity, such as a dance class, bridge club or walking group.
Join one dating site with plenty of members over 60, and message two or three people a week.
Tell three friends you’re open to meeting someone.
Give it three months. Regular attendance is what builds connections.

How to start a conversation with a man you’ve met at an activity

Many men over 60 are shy about making the first move, especially if they’re recently widowed or haven’t dated for decades. You can make it easier for both of you.

Talk about the activity. “How long have you been coming here?” or “Any tips for a beginner?” are easy openers.
Be friendly and consistent. Say hello each week. Familiarity builds comfort.
Suggest something low-key. “A few of us are going for a coffee after, do you want to join?” is less pressured than a one-to-one invitation.
Make your interest clear, gently. If you’d like to see him on his own, suggest a coffee or a walk. Many men are relieved when someone else takes the initiative.

Making the most of each option

Whichever places you try, a few habits make a big difference to whether you actually meet someone.

Go regularly. One visit rarely leads anywhere. Going every week for a couple of months lets people get to know you.
Arrive a little early and stay a little late. Most conversations happen before and after the activity itself.
Go on your own sometimes. It’s easier for people to approach you when you’re not in a tight group of friends.
Offer to help. Clubs always need volunteers for teas, events and committees. It’s a natural way to get to know members.
Enjoy it for its own sake. Choose activities you’d enjoy even if you never met anyone. You’ll be more relaxed, and that’s attractive.

Our guide to alternatives to online dating after 50 covers more offline options.

Where to meet single women over 60 (for men)

If you’re a man over 60 looking to meet women, the picture is different. There are more single women than men in your age group, but you may need to step outside your usual routine to meet them.

Classes and groups. Art, languages, creative writing, cookery, choirs and u3a groups often have more women than men. A man who joins is usually made very welcome.
Dance classes. There’s often a shortage of men, so you’ll be in demand. Most classes teach complete beginners.
Walking groups. A good balance of men and women, and an easy way to chat.
Volunteering. Charity shops, community gardens, libraries, hospital volunteering and befriending schemes.
Dating sites for over-50s. Many have more women than men in older age groups. Complete your profile, use good recent photos and send thoughtful messages.

Some tips that women over 60 often mention:

Make the effort to message. Many women say men rarely send a first message, or send only “Hi”.
Be clear about what you want. Many women want to know if a man is looking for companionship, a relationship or something more casual.
Show interest in her life, not just your own. Ask questions and remember the answers.
Look after yourself. A tidy appearance, good manners and a warm smile go a long way.
Be patient if she’s cautious. Many women over 60 have encountered scammers and married men online, so they may want a video call or a public meeting before trusting you.

Our guides to profile examples for men over 50 and why you might not be getting a second date may help.

Staying safe

Meeting someone through an activity or club isn’t automatically safer than meeting online, though it does help that others know them. When you start seeing someone one to one, the usual precautions apply:

meet in public for the first few dates;
tell a friend where you’re going;
arrange your own transport;
never lend or send money to someone you’ve just met.

Our first date safety checklist covers this in more detail.

The bottom line

It’s true that there are more single women than men over 60, but single men are out there, and many would welcome company. They’re more likely to be found in activity-based settings, such as sports clubs, walking groups, practical hobbies and volunteering, than in classes and book groups. Combine one male-heavy activity, one mixed activity and one dating site with plenty of older members, let friends know you’re open to meeting someone, and be the one to start conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Where do single men over 60 hang out in the UK?

Common places include golf and bowls clubs, walking football, cycling and sailing clubs, walking groups, Men’s Sheds, heritage railways, repair cafés, pub quizzes, bridge clubs and volunteering roles.

Are there more single women than men over 60?

Yes. In older age groups there are more single women than men in the UK, mainly because women tend to live longer and men are more likely to re-partner after divorce or bereavement.

What’s the best dating site for meeting men over 60?

Over-50s services such as SilverSingles and OurTime, and large paid sites such as Match and eHarmony, tend to have more members over 60. Check how many active members are in your area before paying.

Should I message men first on dating sites?

Yes. Many men over 60 send few messages, and a friendly, specific first message greatly improves your chances of a reply.

How do I meet men if I live in a rural area?

Widen your search radius on dating sites, join county-level walking and sports clubs, volunteer at larger events, and consider singles holidays or events in nearby towns.

Related guides

Sources

Office for National Statistics, population estimates by marital status and age.
UK Men’s Sheds Association, information about local sheds.
The Ramblers, information about group walks.
Discussion threads on Gransnet and Mumsnet about meeting single men over 60 (themes summarised, not quoted).