About us
If you're aged between 25 and 50 and looking to meet more people / make new friends, then why not take a bold (but easy) step towards doing something about it, and attend one of the many social events with members of the super-sociable group, the Friendly Faces of Warwickshire.
We enjoy a variety of scheduled events in Leamington, Warwick, Stratford and the surrounding area, where new and regular members meet as a group to network as part of sociable / enjoyable activities. The events to choose from usually take place at the weekend, and can include countryside walks and hikes, gathering in bars, coffee shops or restaurants, going to indoor / outdoor cinemas, pool halls, festivals, tribute bands, stage shows… the list goes on.
To get involved simply browse the events page and then click the 'Attend' button on the events you like the look of.
At each of these events, you’ll meet the members - potential new friends from all walks of life and just like you in wanting to improve their social lives. They will make you feel very welcome as another valued contributor to what makes our events into special occasions to remember for all involved. It's normal to feel a little bit of apprehension about your first meeting, which is something we all have to go through. After you've broken the ice for the first time, you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about and be eager to put your name down to attend another!
If you keep attending, you'll recognise people you met at past events and start to grow commonalities and friendships with the people you connect well with.
Attending a FFW event by yourself is perfectly fine and it's what many people do. The attendees at each event are never the same.. each one consists of a combination of first-timers, seasoned members and everything in between, so there will be other new like-minded attendees just like you, whatever your situation.
The reality is, we're all like you and looking for opportunities to be sociable. We genuinely hope that you decide to get involved. When you do, we will look forward to meeting you.
Months from now you’ll look back on this moment that you took action with a smile, and be really glad you did!
You are always free to leave an event early should you decide at any stage that you want to / need to leave for whatever reason. You will not be judged.
Whatever you do, don't assume that you know how an event will be - just rock up for one and see what you think. Many members have done so and since said they were glad they did.
So ask yourself out loud: "What have I got to lose?"
And then hit that join button. 😊
Here's a sneak preview of the current events schedule that's waiting for you to choose from when you join:
- Sunday Dec 14th : Leamington Parks, to Warwick and back (7-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Friday Dec 19th : 200th Event! 'Christmas Jumpers on Show' night out in Leamington🍹
- Friday Dec 26th : Boxing Day walk through the parks (2.5-mile walk) 🚶♀️
- Sunday Dec 28th : Christmas Week Hike - Edgehill (7-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Wednesday Dec 31st : New Years Eve Party / Social in Leamington 🎉🥂
- Sunday Jan 4th : Cotswolds (6-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Sunday Jan 11th : Burton Dasset Loop (8-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Sunday Jan 25th : Broadgate Park (6-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Friday Feb 6th : Leamington Monthly Social night out🍹
- Sunday Feb 8th : Cotswolds / Broadway Tower (Hilly 7-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Friday Feb 13th : Warwick Monthly Social night out🍹
- Sunday Feb 22nd : Burton Dassett Loop (Hilly 8-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Sunday Mar 1st : Compton Verney Classic (7/8-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Friday Mar 6th : Leamington Monthly Social night out🍹
- Sunday Mar 15th : Kenilworth Castle / Greenway (7/8-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Friday Mar 20th : Warwick Monthly Social night out🍹
- Sunday Mar 29th : Stratford / Wootton Wawen / Edstone Aqueduct (7.5-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Thursday Apr 2nd : Easter Thursday Special! Leamington night out🍹
- Monday Apr 6th : Bank Holiday Monday : Chesterton / Harbury Loop (7-mile hike) 🚶♀️
- Friday Apr 17th : Warwick Monthly Social night out🍹
More events are being scheduled all the time, so join now to be kept informed.
Upcoming events
12
FFW: Warwick Monthly Social
The Globe, Theate Street CV34 4DP, Warwick, GBWhat better way to nail those new years resolutions to get out of the house and meet more people... whether you're a first-timer or a regular, get your name down to join this mixed casual group-tour around downtown Warwick on a relaxed Friday evening, and we'll descend together upon its most popular bars one at a time, staying long enough for a drink or two before we all move on to the next one.
What is a Friendly Faces Monthly Social?...
Either read on for a written explanation of the format of this event, or watch this YouTube video that I put together in 2023 when we first started doing them...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st6irM814UMTo the untrained eye this event looks like a pub-crawl, but rather than being about getting drunk (as pub-crawls are) this monthly meetup event instead focuses on the social aspects : getting out there and meeting new people, mingling, and expanding your social circle.
Don't waste your energy trying to find someone you know to come with you - coming alone is perfectly normal and is what 99.9% of attendees do.
The changing of venues helps encourage the mingling upon us, and typically by the end of the evening - each attendee will...
1. have met most (if not all) of the other attendees present,
2. feel pretty chuffed about having chatted with a group of nice friendly people and made some cool new connections,
3. feel like they fit right in, and
4. be checking the diary to see if they can make another event!If you're driving, or (like me) alcohol isn't your thing, then do as I and any other non-drinkers do, and instead sip on a glass of cordial, coke, or zero beer. There is no pressure to buy drinks. If you decide to skip the bar and just enjoy the social occasion, you certainly wont be judged.
Big Win #1...
Unlike the usual sit-down or stand-still-all-night meetups, this style of event will keep mixing us up as a group every time we change venue, and the mingling will happen automatically as we go with the flow.Big Win #2...
As a big group of people it will be great fun and a guaranteed laugh watching the bewildered faces of the non-meetup people in the bars as we all walk in the door together and fill the place, and then after an hour or so of meetup chatter - all leave together and empty it again!Venues...
As you may know there are several cool bars in central Warwick so we wont have to walk far between venues. We'll visit around 3 or 4 venues throughout the evening, and stay close to the Market Square in the town centre.I'll keep our location-changes communicated as the evening progresses so you can join at any point along the route, but lateness is not recommended. Obviously if you're on time at the start you'll be present for introductions, and you'll get much more out of the evening.
So to start we'll meet in the very laid back "The Globe" pub at 7:30pm and let the socialising commence.
Meet-point here... https://maps.app.goo.gl/vjEaVpbCLKCJMhyx9Click the 'Attend' button now so you don't forget.
Take advantage of the free parking in the Cape Road car park which is free from 6pm on Friday.
Car park here... https://maps.app.goo.gl/4JSpR2ZoavrPPNP8AVery Important Note...
A polite reminder that Friendly Faces events are for meeting new people, networking and expanding social circles. This means positive energy only.
The following 5 rules apply, as a way of safeguarding members from a few things. By attending this and any subsequent events, you agree to abide by them.1. Friendly Faces events are not dating / singles events. Anyone engaging in persistent or unwelcomed attention towards others (either at an event or afterwards) may be removed from the group.
2. Having respect for others is non-negotiable. Anyone who is disrespectful to others (whether this is directed at members of the group or outsiders) may be removed from the group.
3. Drinking alcohol is normal (and optional) at these events, however our primary focus is on socialising, not on drinking to excess. Anyone being or becoming excessively drunk (or exhibiting drunken behaviour) may be removed from the group.
4. We are all Friendly Faces group ambassadors at the places we visit. Anyone misusing/abusing a venue/location (or the staff or property within it) may be removed from the group.
5. Our encouragement of others to attend more Friendly Faces events benefits us all. However anyone harvesting/sharing phone numbers to promote products, events, or other social groups may be removed from the group.
I feel very proud that members of the Friendly Faces group are known for being so warm and welcoming to each other (and the expectations of first-timers are often exceeded) so good times and happy vibes naturally flow at our events.
With these rules in place and acknowledged we shouldn't need to refer back to them, but we have them and can use them if needed.
With that out of the way - lets do what we do so well, and enjoy these super-sociable group experiences and meeting new people.
If we haven't met you before we are all looking forward to meeting you, and if we have met you before - we're looking forward to seeing you again!Finally...
Attendees new to the group are always welcome to check out their first event for free as a 'first-timer' to see how we do things, and we are sure you will enjoy it. If afterwards you decide its not for you then that's not a problem and we wish you all the best. However if you want to come back for more - to find out how to become a paid-subscription Friendly Faces group member (so that you can attend as many as you like) read here...
https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/60 attendees
FFW: Burton Dassett Loop from North End (VERY hilly 8-mile hike)
Top Street, Top Street, Malt House Close, Southam, GBPlease read through...
I am super-chuffed to be able to bring this old favourite hiking route back after a 2-year absence, however as with the super-hilly Malverns and Broadway Tower routes that we do, this one is equally hilly and equally tough on your legs. So if you don't like hills or don't consider yourself an advanced hiker - you should certainly stay at home.
There is also uneven terrain underfoot for several sections of the route, so it's very important that you wear some sturdy hiking footwear that protects you from injury. I make no exaggerations or exceptions with this warning, so if you want to attend this event but don't own any proper hiking boots (that cover your ankles) - buy some or stay at home.This amazing hike will take us around a breathtakingly scenic and undulating walking route starting in the village of North End, and moving through the much-loved Burton Dassett and Holly Well, looping back to finish where we started. The dreamy remote and peaceful setting together with the outstanding views and scenery make this a superb route from start to finish.
If you're a keen and able walker/trekker (whether you're a first-timer to the group or not) then this walk is for you. Maybe you've smashed a Friendly Faces hike or two already, or maybe you've heard good things about the ones we've done and you want to get involved in these fantastic social occasions... step up and add this one to your list of accomplishments for 2026.
At this event you'll have a fantastic outdoorsy afternoon out, you'll meet a warm group of super-social Friendly Faces (including first-timers as always) and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to make new acquaintances / connections along the way.When we're done, right next to the parking spot is the very modern Lost Pug pub where we will grab a well earned sit down, drink, and last chinwag before setting off home.
Note: There are several farmers fields that we pass through along the route containing cattle, so while well-behaved dogs are welcome - it goes without saying that they must be kept on a lead at all times.
Also bear in mind that dogs will need lifting over some (but not all) of the stiles, so large dogs may be a struggle.If you are fit and able, this event is not one you'll want to miss or to hear about from others, so hit that big red 'Attend' button now to be kept informed.
Need a lift?...
If you aren't a driver and would like a lift to and from the starting point, leave a message here on the event page (as soon as you sign up) asking if anyone is kind enough to offer. Do that now, because leaving that question until the last few days before the event is too late.
Don't forget to offer a few pounds to your driver towards petrol money.Where will we start?...
Use the map link below to find the meet point which is on Top Street, where there is free parking on the roadside. Please be respectful of others when parking, and where possible leave space so that others can park next to you.EVENT SUMMARY / IMPORTANT POINTS
- To find out how to become a full Friendly Faces group member, read here... https://www.meetup.com/friendlyfaces/events/305407432/
- This event starts at 12pm. Do not be late. Make sure you arrive early enough to get parked, and be ready at the start point for this time or we may leave without you.
- To attend this hiking event you must be physically active, in good health, free from injury, and have experience of covering steep hills (and 8 miles distance) in one go. If you are not all of these things - please remove yourself from the attendees list.
- Dogs ARE allowed 🐶✅ to attend this event, but must be kept on a lead at all times. No exceptions.
- Due to the uneven terrain, you must wear (or if you don't already own - invest in) some good quality ankle-protecting waterproof footwear - for this and the varied subsequent Friendly Faces hikes. Trainers will not protect you from an injury - which could bring an unpopular end to the event for everyone, so please be sensible (and considerate to others) and bring proper footwear.
20 attendees
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