For many Londoners, the feeling of being surrounded by lots of people yet feeling completely isolated can be common. In fact, 35% of Londoners report feeling lonely often or some of the time, according to the Campaign to End Loneliness. Making connections in a huge city can mean endless swiping and organised events, which can feel daunting. However, a new social club is proving that a shared walk is all it takes to break the ice and build real friendships.
Walk & Talk London
The idea for Walk & Talk London came to founder Henry Duff while he was, rather fittingly, on a walk and reflecting on how it was easy to feel stuck in the same routines. From this, he decided to organise relaxed group walks across the city, creating a space where conversation could flow easily. Henry says, “walking is something almost anyone can do, and there’s something about being side by side with someone that makes conversation feel easy and natural. I wanted to make meeting new people normal again and also easier.”
How to get involved
What makes this initiative especially easy to get on board with is its lack of pressure. There are no sign-up sheets and no awkward introductions; the events are also entirely free. Henry simply posts the time and meeting point on the Walk & Talk TikTok and Instagram pages (@walkandtalklondon), and anyone can just turn up. Or as Henry puts it “you just show up. No sign up, no commitment. We walk, we talk, we meet people we wouldn’t have otherwise.”
A recent walk, for example, gathered 51 people in Hyde Park, offering a perfect opportunity for a weekend morning stroll. The walks attract a diverse mix of Londoners, all looking to meet others in a low-key environment.
Henry recalled a favourite moment when a stranger joined after discovering the page while “doom scrolling at midnight.”
The group shows that you don’t need complicated formats or expensive venues to foster human connection. If you’re new to the city or just want to break out of your social bubble, this could be for you.
Keep an eye on the @walkandtalklondon social media pages for details on the next event and discover a new side of London and its people.
